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Aug 15, 2013 - 4 minute read

How to Prepare for a Teaching Assistant Interview

(Last Updated On: September 7, 2021)

Preparing for a teaching assistant job interview is the same as applying for jobs in other fields, but there are certain questions and scenarios that will come up that you should be prepared for.

In addition, the interviewer will most likely invite you to ask any questions that you have about the school and teaching assistant position.

Due to the trusted position of a teaching assistant, this is a great opportunity to show your dedication to the student’s well-being by asking questions that are focused on them.

This article will share some tried-and-true job interview preparation tips, plus a more in-depth look at the teaching assistant job interview questions and information that you will need to prepare for your big day.

Be prepared

Research the school that you have applied to and try to find out any information that will help your interview prospects. Does the school have any special programs or initiatives that you can bring up?

Perhaps they have a unit for children living with disabilities, or the school is well-known for its sport or music program.

By casually mentioning something about the school in your answers, you will show that you take the job seriously and have researched the position.

In addition, it will give you a chance to praise the school. Everyone likes to get positive feedback so use it to your advantage.

Sell Yourself

The interviewer will have a list of candidates to meet, and you need to stand out to make an impression. Don’t leave anything to chance; prepare a mental list of your strengths and relevant experience and make sure to bring these points up during the answering phase of the interview.

Be Confident

Be confident and friendly without being overwhelming. It’s easy to talk too much when faced with a case of nerves, but try to step back and present a calm demeanour.

It’s a good idea to get into the habit of nodding thoughtfully after hearing the teaching assistant job interview questions and formulating your answer before speaking.

Bring Relevant Documents

In addition to the regular job interview documents, such as a resume and copies of education credentials, a teaching assistant applicant will benefit from taking a selection of photos from previous work experience.

Samples of art & craft activities, worksheets and other teaching aids are quite acceptable to bring to a teaching assistant interview. Along with clear answers to the teaching assistant interview questions, a portfolio of work samples will make your application really stand out.

Teaching Demo

Be aware that some schools will ask you to do a teaching demo as part of the application process. The demo may involve real students or staff members. While being a little nerve-wracking, a teaching demo is a fantastic way to show your skills in a real teaching environment.

From experience, some schools may ask you to give a demo straight away after a successful interview, so try to have a basic 15-minute class ready to go at any time.

Teaching Assistant Based Questions

There are other more in-depth guides on this site to the teaching assistant interview questions that you will encounter at the job interview.

Basically speaking, the interviewer will need to find out your experience and skills relating to a teaching assistant role.

This will require you to follow a basic S.T.A.R formula to deliver the best answer.

S - Situation. Describe the place and time where you encountered the problem outlined in the interview question.

T - Task. Speak about the task that you had to complete.

A - Action. Outline the steps taken to resolve the problem.

R - Result. Tell the interviewer about the outcome of your problem-solving.

A great teaching assistant is always prepared, flexible and creative. Bring these skills to your job interview and show the interviewer that you are focused on the students and dedicated to the industry.