/Special Education Teacher/ Interview Questions
SENIOR LEVEL

Describe a time when you had to implement a new teaching strategy or technique to better meet the needs of a student.

Special Education Teacher Interview Questions
Describe a time when you had to implement a new teaching strategy or technique to better meet the needs of a student.

Sample answer to the question

One time, I had a student who was struggling with reading comprehension. To better meet their needs, I implemented a new teaching strategy called reciprocal teaching. This strategy involves students working in small groups to discuss and summarize the reading material. I created worksheets and guided questions for each group to facilitate their discussions. I also provided additional support to the struggling student by meeting with them one-on-one to review the material and practice their comprehension skills. As a result of this new strategy, the student's comprehension improved, and they became more engaged in class.

A more solid answer

In my role as a Special Education Teacher, I encountered a student who was struggling with reading comprehension. To address this issue, I developed and implemented a comprehensive teaching strategy called reciprocal teaching. This involved organizing the class into small groups and assigning each group a specific reading material. With the help of adaptive technology, I provided the student with audio versions of the reading materials to support their learning. I created worksheets and guided questions for each group, ensuring that the struggling student had access to additional resources and support. Additionally, I collaborated with the student's parents and other teachers to ensure a consistent approach across all learning environments. This teaching strategy not only improved the student's comprehension skills but also fostered a sense of teamwork and collaboration among the students.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details and examples to demonstrate the candidate's skills in organizational and planning, working with diverse learning needs, using adaptive technologies, and leadership abilities. It highlights the use of adaptive technology, collaboration with parents and other teachers, and the positive impact of the teaching strategy on both the struggling student and the overall classroom dynamic. However, it can still be further improved by providing specific measurable outcomes and the candidate's leadership role in implementing and monitoring the new teaching strategy.

An exceptional answer

During my tenure as a Special Education Teacher, I encountered a student who faced significant challenges in understanding and retaining information due to a learning disability. To better meet this student's needs, I implemented a multi-faceted teaching strategy that incorporated various techniques and tools. Firstly, I conducted a thorough assessment to gain a comprehensive understanding of the student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences. Based on the assessment findings, I developed an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlined personalized goals and objectives. As part of the IEP, I introduced adaptive technologies, such as text-to-speech software and graphic organizers, to enhance the student's comprehension and organization skills. Additionally, I utilized different teaching methods, including visual aids, hands-on activities, and peer tutoring, to cater to the student's diverse learning needs. To ensure the effectiveness of the strategy, I regularly monitored the student's progress and made adjustments as necessary. The implementation of this new teaching strategy not only resulted in significant improvements in the student's academic performance but also fostered a sense of empowerment and confidence in their abilities.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the candidate's experience in implementing a new teaching strategy to meet the needs of a student with a learning disability. It demonstrates the candidate's skills in organizational and planning, working with diverse learning needs, using adaptive technologies, and leadership abilities. The answer includes specific examples of assessment, individualized goal-setting, and the use of various teaching methods and tools. It also emphasizes the measurable outcomes and the positive impact of the teaching strategy on the student's academic performance and self-confidence.

How to prepare for this question

  • Familiarize yourself with a variety of teaching strategies and techniques commonly used in special education.
  • Reflect on your past experiences working with students with diverse learning needs and identify specific instances where you implemented new teaching strategies.
  • Highlight your ability to utilize adaptive technologies and educational software to support student learning and engagement.
  • Be prepared to provide specific examples of collaboration with parents, teachers, and other professionals in developing and implementing teaching strategies.
  • Demonstrate your strong organizational and planning skills by discussing how you tailored the teaching strategy to the individual needs and preferences of the student.

What interviewers are evaluating

  • Strong organizational and planning skills
  • Ability to work compassionately with students with diverse learning needs
  • Proficiency in using adaptive technologies and educational software
  • Leadership abilities to mentor and lead a classroom team

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