Consider choosing a few to ask, especially if you get the sense that the search committee is on a tight schedule.
Your questions may provoke follow-up questions, such as, “I appreciate your interest in this area. What’s the basis for your question? Have you had some experience in this area?”
- Do teachers participate in curriculum review and change? How frequently does this happen?
- What types of activities do you have that promote parent-teacher-student interaction?
- What textbooks does the district use in social studies (or English, biology, etc.)?
- What technology resources will be available to me in my classroom?
- What discipline procedures does the district use?
- Does the school make use of teacher aides and parent volunteers? How?
- Do you encourage teachers to earn graduate degrees? How does the district support teachers pursuing graduate degrees?
- How do teachers and administrators work collaboratively to solve problems and respond to student needs?
- How many classes will I be expected to teach each day?
- What courses will the person in this position be assigned to teach?
- What kinds of staff development activities did the entire faculty participate in this past year?
- How are teachers assigned to extracurricular activities? Is compensation provided?
- Please tell me about the students who attend the school. What percentage go on to two- and four-year colleges?
- What challenges is the district facing this year or in the next couple years? (ask to learn about potential budget, space, policy issues.)
- As a new teacher, how will I be supported and evaluated? Will I be paired with a mentor teacher or a support team?
- What are the prospects for future growth in this community and its schools? (ask to determine economic stability of community.)