If you want to hire a Substitute Teacher, having well-prepared Substitute Teacher Interview Questions is essential for finding a suitable applicant.
A Substitute Teacher is a person who fills in for a regular teacher when they are absent.
A Substitute Teacher typically has a High School Diploma or equivalent. Some states may require you to have a teaching license or certification.
They should have previous work experience.
A Substitute Teacher is responsible for filling in for a regular teacher when they are absent. This can include teaching lessons, grading assignments, and managing the class. Substitute Teachers must be able to follow the lesson plan left by the regular teacher and be able to adapt on the fly if necessary. Substitute Teachers need to be able to maintain order in the classroom and keep the students engaged. The duties of a substitute teacher include but are not limited to taking attendance, teaching the lesson, maintaining discipline, and managing the class in general.
Essential Interview Questions
How many years of experience do you have as a Substitute Teacher?
Listen fora solid background in classroom management and lesson delivery across various grades
What is your teaching philosophy?
Listen fora clear understanding of student-centered learning and fostering a positive classroom environment
Are you comfortable working with diverse student populations?
Listen forexperience in adapting teaching methods to meet the needs of all learners
What discipline methods do you find most effective in the classroom setting?
Listen foreffective strategies for maintaining classroom order while promoting respect and understanding
How would you handle a situation in which a student was opposing your authority?
Listen fora calm approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication and understanding student perspectives
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a Substitute Teacher?
Listen forself-awareness and specific examples of how strengths enhance teaching effectiveness
What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful Substitute Teacher?
Listen forqualities like adaptability, patience, and strong communication skills that ensure success
What are the different types of classes you have taught?
Listen forexperience teaching various subjects and age groups, showcasing versatility and adaptability
How do you handle disciplinary issues with students?
Listen fora proactive approach that includes clear expectations and consistent follow-through
Do you have any special skills or training?
Listen forspecific certifications or training that enhance instructional delivery and classroom management
Have you ever taught a lesson in the absence of a regular teacher? If so, how did it go?
Listen forexamples of successfully delivering lessons that engaged students and met learning objectives
Rate each answer as you hear it, not from memory afterwards. Use the same scale for every candidate so the notes stay comparable.
Substitute Teacher · Candidate Scorecard
Score every candidate against the same six criteria, so two interviewers reach comparable conclusions instead of competing impressions.
Classroom Management
ability to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.
Lesson Planning
skill in creating engaging and age-appropriate lesson plans.
Student Engagement
capability to actively involve students in the learning process.
Behavioral Interventions
knowledge of effective strategies to address student behavior issues.
Subject Knowledge
proficiency in the subjects taught and ability to convey concepts clearly.
Adaptability
flexibility in adjusting teaching methods to different classroom situations.
Take this scorecard into the interview
Download the fillable PDF, or have it emailed to you with all 11 questions attached.
Why is it important to prepare when interviewing a job applicant?
It is important to prepare when interviewing a substitute teacher applicant because you want to make sure that they are qualified and capable of handling a class. In order to ensure a positive experience for both the students and the substitute teacher, the interview should assess the applicant's qualifications, teaching experience, and ability to manage a classroom. You will need to have a list of questions ready to ask in order to get a feel for whether or not the person is a good fit for the position
Want a Structured Interview Toolkit?
PDFThe Interviewing Toolkit is a practical guide covering interview preparation, structured questions, evaluation strategies, and common hiring challenges to help small and mid-sized teams hire with confidence.
Download the free Interviewing Toolkit nowGet instant access to the PDF version. No signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many interview questions should I ask?
Plan for 5–7 core questions in a 45–60 minute interview. This allows time for follow-up questions and gives candidates space to provide detailed examples.
What are red flags during an interview?
Watch for vague answers, lack of specific examples, blame-shifting, or inability to explain their role in past results.
How do I evaluate interview answers objectively?
Use a consistent scoring rubric for each question and focus on measurable examples and demonstrated skills.
Do structured interviews improve hiring results?
Yes. Structured interviews increase consistency, reduce bias, and make it easier to compare candidates fairly.
How do I assess technical skills without a hands-on test?
Ask candidates to walk through their diagnostic process for common problems, explain how they use specific tools, and describe recent challenging repairs they completed successfully.
Substitute Teacher Job Description Template
These questions are written against the same role definition. Post the job description first, then interview from this scorecard, and the criteria you screened on are the criteria you score on.