Why this matters:
A teacher must understand how to help students reach their educational goals. Your candidate should be familiar with a wide range of teaching methodologies that can keep kindergartners engaged in lessons and successful with the curriculum. Staying up to date on educational trends is a plus.
What to listen for:
- In-depth knowledge of early childhood education methodologies like cooperative learning or the play method
- Stays up to date with educational research and trends
- Understanding of how to successfully engage students and manage a classroom
Why this matters:
A kindergarten teacher should have clear educational goals for their students and be able to design lesson plans to achieve these goals. At the same time, because kindergarten students are in a highly developmental phase of life, teachers will have to adapt lessons as they learn about their students. Your candidate should be able to balance planning in advance with making changes according to their students’ needs.
What to listen for:
- Structures lessons around a range of teaching techniques to account for different learning styles
- Comfort creating lesson plans from scratch and adapting existing ones
- Ability to make changes to lessons according to student needs
Why this matters:
A teacher must commit to creating a positive learning environment for all students, regardless of race, gender, or cultural background. Kindergarten isn’t just about learning the alphabet. It’s also where kids learn crucial life skills. The teacher should embrace diversity in the classroom, and teach their students to respect each others’ differences.
What to listen for:
- Understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion
- Desire to model positive social skills for students
- Ability to cultivate a respectful learning environment for everyone
Why this matters:
It’s common for children within this age group to act out every once in a while. Your candidate should have clear strategies to address this challenge. A great kindergarten teacher will approach disruptive students with empathy rather than anger, and inform parents of any major behavior changes.
What to listen for:
- Empathy-first approach when working with challenging students
- Clear strategies to address disruptive behavior, like speaking with the student individually or creating a student behavior plan
- Comfortable maintaining authority and recognizing when to involve a parent or supervisor
Why this matters:
For many kindergarten students, this is their first time away from home for an extended period of time. This may make a student feel anxious, shy, or disengaged. A great teacher gets to know their students on an individual level and tries different strategies based on specific needs and learning styles.
What to listen for:
- Ability to adapt lesson plans to account for different learning styles
- Willingness to meet students where they are
- Clear strategies in place to engage shy students, like using positive reinforcement and giving them responsibilities in the classroom
Why this matters:
Sending a child off to kindergarten can be as much of an adjustment for parents as it is for students. A kindergarten teacher must be able to address parent complaints and concerns with empathy and stay calm and professional when faced with conflict. The candidate should be able to maintain authority over their classroom while also seeking solutions that work for everyone.
What to listen for:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to de-escalate conflict
- Empathy when addressing parents’ complaints
- Ability to remain poised and professional under pressure
Why this matters:
The answer to this question should give you a sense of how your candidate interacts with their students on a daily basis and their idea of what makes a successful lesson. Listen for an overlap between their teaching philosophy and your school’s. You should be able to understand what ideas your candidate is bringing to the table and whether their goals align with your school’s mission.
What to listen for:
- Desire to build a motivational and inclusive classroom
- Drive to help each student succeed
- Alignment with your school’s educational goals
Why this matters:
A great kindergarten teacher is passionate about what they do and always has their students’ best interests in mind. Understanding what drew someone to teaching can give you a feel for their passion and expertise. Your candidate should also be able to demonstrate that they understand kindergarteners developmentally.
What to listen for:
- Passion for teaching
- Understanding of the age group’s needs and challenges
- A drive to succeed and empower student success
Why this matters:
The teacher you hire shouldn’t just be a great teacher. They should also be a great fit for your school. Understanding what excites a teacher about your school — be it your curriculum, a particular educational program you’ve instituted, or your mission statement — will help you get a feel for how they’d fit into the larger picture, and whether or not your goals align.
What to listen for:
- Alignment with your school’s mission
- Shared goals for students
- Familiarity with and enthusiasm for your school’s curriculum
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