How to Answer Special Ed Teacher Interview Questions the Easy Way!
Article by Rachel Duhon
Special education is one of the most rewarding fields in education and can be one of the greatest challenges. Principals have a hard time finding qualified special education teachers, or they can’t find them at all. By situating yourself as an expert when it comes to answering the special ed teacher interview questions, you already set yourself ahead of many other candidates applying for the job.
By knowing your students, their needs, and the state requirements for students with special needs, you can go into any special education teacher interview and nail it. To be successful requires that you have a grasp of each of the important areas I’ve listed below.
You will need to know the following:
Student BehaviorCommon Student disabilitiesPaperwork CompletionChild AdvocacyIEP (Individualized Education Program)CES (Committee on Special Education)Differentiating InstructionContinued Education
Student Behavior:
All teachers in the job search should practice the more commonly asked teacher interview questions, but the special ed teacher needs to tailor his responses as if he were already in the classroom. Principals know that regular education teachers can handle a room with misbehavior, but how is this different with a special needs child?
Before the interview, make sure you know exactly what group of special needs children you will be teaching. Students with reading disabilities require a few different needs than multiply impaired children.
Common Student Disabilities:
Make sure you know the most common disabilities that may affect your students. Your student accommodations will directly result from their specific needs.
Know about these disabilities: Cerebral Palsy, ADD and ADHD, Autism and Asperger’s disease, physical handicaps, Tourette’s syndrome, speech disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, and language and processing difficulties.
Paperwork:
Piles of folders and paperwork come with the job. The principal will most likely ask you questions regarding specific paperwork, your organization skills, and your ability to keep up with everything. Part of working on a committee will consist of completing necessary paperwork before handing it off to another committee member for discussion. Schools must document their paperwork on students since schools receive funding and are evaluated based on how they meet the needs of this population.
Child Advocacy:
Whether you are testing a child for special education services or you are mentoring or mediating between a student and a teacher, the special education teacher serves as an advocate for all children. Special education children especially need a teacher advocate since these students have a greater chance of falling through the system’s cracks.
During the interview, make sure you list examples of advocating on behalf of your special education students. Principals want to see that teachers will go the extra mile for the benefit of their students.
IEP (Individualized Education Program):
The interviewer wants to know that you are familiar with filling out the IEP paperwork and conducting the necessary inquiry about a student’s particular IEP. The IEP ensures that students receive the necessary services every year and it is up to the special education teacher to show that accommodations have been met for students.
CES (Committee on Special Education):
If you don’t have any real experience on a special education committee, mention your experience working in a co-teaching environment with another special education teacher. Familiarize yourself with how the CES meetings are run and what they all entail.
Differentiating Instruction:
Although differentiating instruction can be a real challenge for a regular education teacher, special education teachers need to receive a pat on the back. During the teacher interview, tell the interview about your experiences in the classroom with the different students and how you met their individualized needs.
Some students need extended time for completing assignments and others have a hard time reading or have dyslexia. Give examples of differentiated instruction and how it worked in your classroom. Administrators want to feel assured that their special ed teachers know how to handle all of the students in one class.
Continued Education:
As teachers, it is our duty to never cease learning. Mention the classes and trainings you’ve attended or the ones you wish to attend. Research the latest helpful tips and techniques for special education students. Tell the interviewer that you can’t wait to meet the students and get to know all of their different personalities and learning styles.
By preparing for the special ed teacher interview, you will convince the principal to give you the job. You are the ideal candidate. You are an advocate for your students, you are knowledgeable, and you want to see their success. That’s the teacher principals want to hire.
About the Author
Rachel Duhon is an educator and writer specializing in teaching and helping others find their dream teaching job. You can check out her latest website at Texas Teacher Guide, where she provides free articles and a free minicourse for teachers looking for jobs.