Why this matters:
Modifications are one of many tools used to help students learn in a style and pace that corresponds to their capabilities. Special education teachers decide which accommodations are best for a student, together with behavioral specialists and the child’s parents. Your candidate should be able to contribute an educated opinion on whether a modification will be advantageous or if it’s best to work with the student in other ways.
What to listen for:
- Answers outlining a holistic approach in which your candidate considers each student’s specific needs and goals
- Mentions of the importance of weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each accommodation against the student’s long-term well-being
Why this matters:
Special education students are often assessed under a mix of individualized and standardized criteria — along with first-hand observations from their teachers. You need a candidate with the ability to create assessments that balance standard criteria and meet all applicable regulations and requirements.
What to listen for:
- Examples detailing past assessments — including the circumstances and criteria they used
- Awareness of their observations’ role in the assessments’ outcome and the student’s future
Why this matters:
Special education teachers often collaborate with general education teachers to teach special needs students that are part of a general education class. The quality of this partnership will play a decisive role in student outcomes. The answer to this question will provide a clear picture of how your candidate collaborates with other teachers and their experience working with special needs students in various settings.
What to listen for:
- Examples listing teaching structures that apply to the role your candidate will be fulfilling in your organization
- Mentions of the importance of communication, collaboration, and flexibility to ensure a successful co-teaching experience
Why this matters:
Despite their best efforts, special education teachers cannot determine which approach will be most effective for a specific case until they implement it. Your candidate should be open about this and emphasize the importance of observation and carefully assessing students to determine the effectiveness of a particular approach.
What to listen for:
- An answer that outlines how your candidate chose their approach, how they realized that it was not working as intended, and which steps they took to fix it
- Cues that the candidate is a thoughtful problem-solver who can quickly identify viable alternatives
Why this matters:
Creative activities are essential for nurturing special needs students’ social, cognitive, and motor skills. Your special education teachers should have enough experience to choose which activities will fit their students’ needs and skills levels best and the ability to plan and direct them. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to creating memorable experiences for their students.
What to listen for:
- Explanations of how they handled challenging classroom activities
- Examples demonstrating a positive view of students’ abilities and a desire to help them grow
Why this matters:
Disagreements are bound to happen when you’re working so closely with students’ parents. Your candidate’s answer will provide insight into their conflict resolution style and how they balance parents’ input with their professional observations. The best candidates will take great care to build trust and maintain open communication with parents to address any issues before they escalate.
What to listen for:
- Great answers will use language that demonstrates empathy and understanding for the parents
- Examples indicating an effort to understand the parents’ perspective and a desire to work together toward a common solution
Why this matters:
Handling disruptive behavior in special education can be challenging. Teachers must walk a fine line between shaping students’ behavior and understanding and managing the root causes of those behaviors. Your candidate’s answers will help you understand how they address disruptive behavior and adapt their approach to each student’s unique situation.
What to listen for:
- The use of common strategies approved by behavioral professionals for de-escalating and correcting disruptive behavior
- Examples that balance communicating empathy and kindness with establishing firmness and clear boundaries
Why this matters:
Developing children’s social skills is a key part of any special education program. This question will provide insight into your candidate’s ability to help students overcome challenges and meet educational goals. It’s also an opportunity for them to express their personal views on the importance of developing social skills for students at all levels.
What to listen for:
- Examples demonstrating a thoughtful approach that adapts evidence-based methods for teaching social skills to help students overcome their challenges
- Language indicating that your candidate places a high priority on helping students develop meaningful relationships with their peers
Why this matters:
Working as a special education teacher is a physically and emotionally taxing job where burnout happens frequently. You need a candidate who can effectively handle small, everyday frustrations and big challenges without becoming overwhelmed or taking them out on their students or colleagues. The answer to this question will help you better understand how your candidate manages stress and how they can be expected to react during challenging times.
What to listen for:
- Examples that include effective stress management techniques such as removing themselves from the situation or seeking help from a colleague
- Mentions of the importance of self-care, having a support network, and ensuring their mental well-being
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