Operational Special Education Instructor Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Do you know what is RTI?

RTI stands for response to intervention. It is basically a data based process of diagnosing and assessing learning related disabilities and to determine the appropriate instructional style to which the student responds well. In other words it is research based intervention to enhance and facilitate the process of learning among children with special needs.

2. Tell us why did you become a special education teacher?

There are no right or wrong answers to this special education interview question.

Research shows the common reasons for becoming a special educator include coming into contact with someone with special needs when growing up. This encouraged the educator to value and understand the challenges faced by children with special needs and to want to help.

3. Tell us what is your philosophy?

How do you set your teaching goals for special education? How have you monitored the progress of each child? How would you define success in special education teaching? Tell us about success/failures stories. Speak about articles you have read, and techniques you have observed. Of course, include your own – especially the more fascinating examples.

4. Do you know why is collaboration important?

I think collaboration benefits the quality of instruction and supports for students with disabilities. Resources are combined to strengthen teaching and learning opportunities, methods, and effectiveness. Each member of the team brings their individual skill set, training, and unique perspective to ensure that the individualized needs of each student are met.

5. Explain me how have you encouraged parental involvement in student learning?

Ongoing communication with the family fosters a supportive relationship. This includes providing a clear explanation of the student's IEP, regularly sending out IEP report cards on student progress towards set goals, management of expectations by providing clear measurements, keeping accurate records of interactions with parents and really listening to parents.

6. Tell me the students you have been working with?

I have worked with physical handicaps, ADHA patients, children with autism, mental retardation, Down's syndrome and children with learning disabilities.

7. Explain me what was your most difficult course in college?

One of the most challenging courses for me while obtaining my degree was Statistics. Because I am more therapy and behavioural based by nature, it was difficult for me to fully embrace the factual parts of this course. I did find a tutor for that class and was able to pass it with a good grade.

8. Tell me how have you ensured that each student receives the right type of support?

Show how you determine where each student is and prioritize learning accordingly. The focus may be on developing basic social skills or on task completion.

Highlight your ability to use different teaching styles and resources to meet diverse needs.

9. Tell us what is the ‘individuals with disabilities act'?

The individuals with disabilities act is a federal law that governs and dictates the policies applicable in early age interventions for children with special needs.

10. Tell us if you could do anything different in your education, what would you do?

When I first started my career, I wasn't as focused on a speciality and ended up spending a lot of time working with students who had more low-incidence disabilities. I wish I had been introduced to more specific work, with individuals affected by Autism, sooner in my career.