Role-specific Principal Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Who do I talk to when things aren't going well?

Now, you may be thinking that you don't want to suggest that things won't go well. Don't worry. Wise principals know that even the best, most experienced, teachers have problems during a school year. Like question number 1, there's only one reasonable answer to this one. The principal should eagerly reply, "Me."

2. What is your Twitter handle?

If the principal says she is not on Twitter, it may not be a deal breaker, but it's definitely a red flag. Being a connected educator is essential to every educator's success in the digital world in which we live. If a principal counters with, "Why is this important?" you should simply repeat my last sentence.

3. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Summarize by emphasize your qualifications as they apply to this job. Also cover anything you missed from your opening.

4. How Do You Handle Student Discipline?

As an assistant principal, your first and foremost task will be to assist the principal in his or her duties. From time to time, this means that you will be called upon to discipline an unruly student. You may be asked to determine whether the student should get detention, in-school or home suspension, or even expulsion in extreme cases. To answer this question, you should reply with a past scenario if you can. Explain the offense and the steps you took to discipline the child. If you do not have experience with student discipline, create an imaginary scenario and explain how you would handle it.

5. Have You Ever Handled an Upset or Irate Parent?

The parents of schoolchildren are often very involved with their children's education, and as such, you will sometimes need to participate in meetings or conferences with parents. Sometimes, and especially when students have been suspended or otherwise disciplined, parents can become very upset. Your interviewer will ask you if you have ever dealt with such a situation, and you should answer honestly. If so, describe the situation and how you handled it. If not, you should provide another example of a situation in which your communication skills were able to dissolve the angry party's frustrations.

6. What is your philosophy on mobile learning?

If the answer is, "We have a strict policy stating that all mobile devices must be left at home or in lockers," you can forget your other questions and politely excuse yourself. It's the 21st century, for crying out loud. Who wants to teach in a school that forbids the use of the most powerful teaching and learning tool ever created?

7. What are your major strengths as a principal?

Focus on these competencies when formulating your interview answers to these principal interview questions.

8. Have You Ever Evaluated a Teacher Who was Not Performing to Expectation?

Aside from disciplining students, you will also likely be called upon to evaluate the performance of individual teachers on a regular basis. You may also be asked to evaluate a teacher whose students' test scores are not on par with national averages; you may even be required to evaluate a teacher about whom you have received multiple complaints from students, parents or even other staff. As such, the interviewer will need to determine your capabilities. Here, you should use another scenario if you are experienced with such evaluations. If you are not, explaining that you would take the time to listen to both sides and then create an effective remedial plan should suffice.

9. Am I required to assign homework or give a particular amount of tests?

For me, a Yes reply here is a deal breaker. However, there are ways around traditional homework and many alternative forms of assessment, so if all other questions are answered appropriately, you might still keep the school on your short list.

10. Outline the role that parents should play in the school?

Discuss your vision of positive parental contribution and how you have facilitated and promoted this through the implementation of school initiatives.