Teacher Strengths and Weaknesses for a Job Interview

What are teacher strengths and teacher weaknesses to share in an interview? Interviewers frequently inquire about your strengths and shortcomings. When you interview for a teaching position, you can be asked to discuss some of your teaching talents' strengths and flaws.

Preparing for your interview with a few well-considered responses will help you stand out as an excellent candidate.

Why do employers ask about strengths and weaknesses?

Individuals who are aware of their strengths are more inclined to build on and utilize them, whereas those who are aware of their limitations can take further measures to overcome them. A teacher's awareness of their talents is critical. Someone who is aware of their strengths and weaknesses can also be better equipped to assist their students in doing the same.

By reflecting on your teaching experience, you can discover your talents. Consider which elements of teaching you have particularly enjoyed. Examine performance assessments and document your perceptions of your strengths. Additionally, solicit assistance from a close friend, family member, or coworker in refining them.

Remember the STAR method

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result in the STAR interview response approach. The STAR interview answer approach enables you to utilize personal tales and anecdotes to demonstrate characteristics that are desired in the position for which you are seeking.

During an interview for a teaching post, your interviewer can use behavioral questions to ascertain your prior conduct in certain scenarios. "What is something you are really proud of?" or "Tell me about a moment when you made a mistake" are examples of behavioral interview questions that enquire about your strengths and shortcomings.

The first of these questions can be used to demonstrate a strength (such as creativity or empathy), while the second can be used to demonstrate how you overcome a weakness and learnt from the experience. When responding to interview questions, attempt to employ the STAR technique by recounting an instance in which you demonstrated strength or overcame a shortcoming.

Example answers to, "What is your greatest strength?" for teachers

You can demonstrate your strengths to an interviewer by naming one and then providing a brief tale or example that demonstrates how you used that strength to teach successfully. The following sample responses can assist you in preparing for your interview:

Collaboration

"I am a fantastic and vivacious colleague. My whole fifth-grade teaching staff was new to our school two years ago. To boost team spirit, I proposed that we select a theme and surround it with decor and team-building activities each morning. We opted for 12th-century mythology. Not only did we have the best attendance record in six years and fewer disciplinary concerns, but all seven instructors requested to return the following year."

Empathy

"I am frequently informed by parents of my kids that their children feel loved and cared for in my classroom. As someone who grew up in a financially troubled family, I am constantly on the lookout for signs that a kid can be hungry, weary, or in need. When I first began teaching, one sixth-grade kid immediately attracted my attention for his continuous aggression and hostility. I kept him after school each week for an hour, but instead of detention, I asked him to assist me in cleaning the classroom and preparing lessons for the following day. He simply desired to converse, and I sensed it. He invited me to his high school graduation last year and expressed gratitude for my assistance."

Organization

"I believe in achieving outcomes, and I am happy that my class has consistently outperformed the school and state averages on standardized tests. I establish clear expectations for homework at the start of the school year and keep parents informed throughout the year on their children's progress. I have posters describing my discipline technique on the wall and need parents to sign that they have read it; this policy has never been questioned."

Technical skills

"I've always been fascinated by technology, and I'm the first to download new apps and advise coworkers on which digital tools and gadgets perform best in the classroom and which are unnecessary. Indeed, I just began a small newsletter in which I evaluate teaching software, programs, and applications for other instructors, and have amassed over 100 subscribers solely via word of mouth. I encourage my pupils to use technology and have seen that they are more engaged when they can use their own tools."

Creativity

"I double majored in creative writing and education in college and minored in art." As a result, I feel like I have an advantage when it comes to designing my classroom and developing engaging hands-on activities for my fourth graders. I once taught arithmetic using puppet shows: my pupils measured and created a stage and set for their own puppet production. Once a semester, I provide a "gallery night" for parents to view their children's artistic expressions."

Example weaknesses to use for teachers

When selecting shortcomings to discuss during an interview for a teacher position, be candid and explain how you address them in your work. Here are some examples of ways to explain a shortcoming in a way that demonstrates your commitment to improvement:

Lack of technical skills

"I had very limited computer knowledge and felt uneasy performing tasks other than reading an email. I saw that my kids were missing out on technology-enhanced learning, and so I registered in classes at my local library to learn how to create simple digital presentations and home movies, which I have already begun incorporating into my classroom. I want to continue enrolling in at least two technology classes every year to keep my abilities current."

Public speaking skills

"I became a teacher because I enjoy working with children, but I've always struggled with speaking in front of a large group of adults. This was not an issue while I taught elementary school, but when I moved to teaching high school, I realized I needed to address it. About five months ago, I joined a local public speaking skills group and gradually developed the confidence and bravery to speak in front of big crowds. I intend to go each month for the foreseeable future."

Overplanning

"As a teacher, I've always painstakingly scheduled each session in advance. My pupils are fully aware of the assignments, quizzes, and tests that await them each day of the nine-week grading period. However, I struggled with unanticipated occurrences such as fire drills, snow days, and other unforeseen events that cut into teaching time. I'm learning to be more spontaneous with the assistance of self-help books and colleagues in order to pivot from my set position and embrace changes."

Strengths and weaknesses to consider

The following list of strengths can assist you in identifying your own and planning a successful interview response:

• Technical abilities.
• Teaching abilities.
• Self-awareness.
• Creativity.
• Kindness or empathy.
• Communication skills.
• Organization.
• Willingness to learn.
• Time management.
• Discipline.
• Fairness.
• Persistence.
• Collaboration.
• Patience.
• Flexibility.

Consider the following shortcomings when determining how to communicate your limitations to the interviewer:

• Inadequate technical expertise (such as a specific software).
• Continual reliance on perfectionism.
• An insufficient grasp of a certain expertise, such as mathematics or inorganic chemistry (as long as it is not one for which you are interviewing).
• Insufficient or excessive spontaneity.
• Anxiety about public speaking.
• Inadequate work-life balance.