Special Education Teacher Interview Questions

"Sometimes it's a challenge to engage students with different special needs in the same class. I make sure to personalise my lesson plans with dynamic learning styles so they can appeal to everyone. I also make a point of spending one-on-one time with each student every class to ensure they have the support they need."

"I think an open channel of communication between me and my students' parents is incredibly important. At the beginning of the year, I host a parent-teacher night to introduce myself and learn about the parents and their expectations. I also make sure to have semi-regular check-ins with them throughout the year."

"I'm a big arts and crafts person, so I started an arts and crafts club at my last school. I made sure to put together programmes that weren't covered in the classroom. For example, I used one month of the arts and crafts club meetings to teach the students how to knit and sew. It was a really fun experience for everyone."

"I actually just finished an incredible book called Lost at School. The book takes you through real-world examples of students who have suffered from the school system because they learn differently. It provided a unique perspective and highlights how regular forms of academic discipline don't work for every child. I've been able to use what I've learned from the book in my classroom."

"Being a special education teacher can be very stressful, but it's also incredibly rewarding. I would say the initial period of time when you're getting to know the student and how they learn is a challenge. You really have to take your time understanding how the student learns and absorbs lessons. There's usually some trial and error involved, but once you've found what works best for each student, it's extremely rewarding."

"My sisters both suffered from learning disabilities. So, I grew up with a firsthand experience of how difficult it was for them to learn in the same environment as me. It was difficult to see them struggle with teachers who just didn't understand they needed to be taught differently. I chose this career path because I want to make a difference and help students like them."

"There have been times in the past when I've had to manage this. If a parent disagrees with what I'm saying, I try to provide concrete examples to help them understand. I find when I approach the conversation this way, the parent usually comes around to what I'm telling them. I always build relationships so parents feel they can come to me with concerns."

"I love coming up with different ways to engage my students. Last year I taught them about photosynthesis, so I planned a trip to a greenhouse to help the students learn how plants live and breathe. It was really successful and the highlight of my year, as the students were so excited and learned a lot from the trip."

"I once had a lesson plan for my class that I was really excited about. Unfortunately, the students weren't very receptive to it. I didn't want to lose their attention, so I pivoted quickly to change the plan. The students didn't relate to the way I was teaching, so I shifted. Luckily, knowing many of my students and the way they learn, I prepared a backup video to help support the lesson."

"Children with special needs react differently to every situation. I always assess every unique situation to figure out the best way to enact disciplinary action."

"I get a list of healthcare professionals that work with my students at the beginning of the year. I make sure to reach out to them initially so that they know who I am and to open a channel of communication. I believe special education is a team effort. So, I enjoy maintaining contact with parents and the healthcare professionals that support my students."

"I find parents are open to discussing challenges when we communicate regularly. Parents want to be involved in their child's education and success. So as long as I always end the conversation on a positive note, they're very receptive. In my experience, it's best to discuss important topics, like challenges, in person."

"I once had a student who had difficulty absorbing information by listening. She was much better at reading comprehension. To ensure she could make the most of each lesson, I printed a copy of any audio/verbal material. She found it much more engaging and could follow along more easily."

"Generally, I create the lesson plan with every student's ability in mind. I make it fun by using diagrams, videos, real-life examples, and imagery to appeal to their different senses and learning styles. I'm familiar with lesson planning tools and like to use Learnboost to keep my plans organised."

"What I typically find is that when students refuse to complete work, it's because they are having trouble understanding the lesson. When this happens, I sit down with the student to provide extra support. I take their learning disability into consideration and develop an alternative way of explaining the subject to suit their unique style."