Substitute Aide Interview Sample
Questions
Tell me about yourself - answer· I am a recent graduate that pursued my Bachelor of
Science in Child and Adolescent Development at CSUF. During my education,
volunteering at the practicum sites gave me the confidence in communicating with
children. I took the initiative at the university level from mentor teachers to have
conversations with children by observing them in the field of child development. Finally,
I want to prove to myself that I have the confidence when instructing children with pride
and effort.
What are your strengths? - answer· My greatest strengths are a combination of
persistence and communication. During my practicum experience at the preschool
center and elementary school, I asked questions from different mentor teachers which
bought up my persistence to interact with the children through observation and
engagement. The initiative and encouragement with children were both great academic
ways I encountered to try and be resilient and respectful towards their opinions to take
action into communicating with my mentor teachers.
What are your weaknesses? - answerMy greatest weakness are lacking confidence and
having a passive voice to the students. It shows up in my practicum when I ask a lot of
questions with mentor teachers, and I did not handle the situation carefully. The ways
I've worked to improve in this area are trying this on my own, not giving up, and showing
up to enhance through my abilities.
What would your colleagues say are your best qualities? - answerThe qualities that best
describe me are perseverant, respectful, kind, and sincere because I do have the
patience that I have for young children when doing something wrong in the classroom.
Also, I do take the initiative when communicating with students more, and I plan to do
more of these qualities to advance in my career.
Why do you want to be a substitute teacher/aide? - answerI want to become a
substitute aide to gain more experience in my academic career in teaching. Also, I want
to pay close attention with duties and responsibilities I take in action and with
confidence.
What's your greatest accomplishment? - answerI currently completed my Bachelor of
Science in Child and Adolescent Development at Cal State Fullerton. Obtaining my B.S.
at CSUF was a great way to achieve and accomplish. I was a peer mentee, course
assistant, and joined a program called Titan Future Teacher. Luckily, I received awards
from different events I attended.
, Where do you want to be in five years? - answerIn 5 years, I would like to take full
growth and commitment to become an elementary school teacher. I want to advance in
my career more to become a certified kindergarten teacher and probably work in the
next primary grades at elementary school. This is something I would like to do and to
lead the classroom with the administrative team and with young learners.
Describe yourself in five words - answerI am great at learning
What do you like to do outside of work? - answerI love to sing and cook. Also, I like to
swim with my little sister during the summer.
What is your availability? - answerMy availability for work are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If two days are enough, I can squeeze it in for three days a week.
Why do you want to teach? - answerI want to teach children at the Norwalk District
because I have the courtesy and patience. Also, I want to work because I have more
experience with children from different backgrounds and differences they inherit. So,
getting to know the children will help me do better with communication skills and
building interpersonal skills.
What grade levels do you prefer teaching? - answerI prefer teaching at ages 5 all the
way until kindergarten. I have a huge background of the developmental stages in child
development. Also, I have an interest in some games children play and interact with
their peers if they want to play with others.
Why did you pursue your degree? - answerI pursued my degree because I had the
continuation in learning about child development through research and using empirical
articles to read more about children. Also, I am knowledgeable about the development
theories, stages, and milestones that occur with children and how it is impacted
throughout their daily lives.
What were your favorite classes? - answerMy favorite classes were child development
courses, reading, writing, art, music, and some arithmetic. During my practicum
experience, I took initiative in teaching kindergarten students the basic music principles
by singing and dancing. Therefore, I had some experience in singing with children
during my practicum.
What do you think makes a great substitute teacher? - answerThe things that makes a
great substitute aide are patience and flexibility. Based on my educational background
and practicum experience, I took the initiative with communicating and collaborating
with my mentor teachers for a great success as a substitute. So, my expertise as a sub
is providing children with resources and obtaining proper care.
Describe your teaching experience. - answerMy teaching experience involves assisting
the lead teacher with responsibilities and duties. These responsibilities are supervising
Questions
Tell me about yourself - answer· I am a recent graduate that pursued my Bachelor of
Science in Child and Adolescent Development at CSUF. During my education,
volunteering at the practicum sites gave me the confidence in communicating with
children. I took the initiative at the university level from mentor teachers to have
conversations with children by observing them in the field of child development. Finally,
I want to prove to myself that I have the confidence when instructing children with pride
and effort.
What are your strengths? - answer· My greatest strengths are a combination of
persistence and communication. During my practicum experience at the preschool
center and elementary school, I asked questions from different mentor teachers which
bought up my persistence to interact with the children through observation and
engagement. The initiative and encouragement with children were both great academic
ways I encountered to try and be resilient and respectful towards their opinions to take
action into communicating with my mentor teachers.
What are your weaknesses? - answerMy greatest weakness are lacking confidence and
having a passive voice to the students. It shows up in my practicum when I ask a lot of
questions with mentor teachers, and I did not handle the situation carefully. The ways
I've worked to improve in this area are trying this on my own, not giving up, and showing
up to enhance through my abilities.
What would your colleagues say are your best qualities? - answerThe qualities that best
describe me are perseverant, respectful, kind, and sincere because I do have the
patience that I have for young children when doing something wrong in the classroom.
Also, I do take the initiative when communicating with students more, and I plan to do
more of these qualities to advance in my career.
Why do you want to be a substitute teacher/aide? - answerI want to become a
substitute aide to gain more experience in my academic career in teaching. Also, I want
to pay close attention with duties and responsibilities I take in action and with
confidence.
What's your greatest accomplishment? - answerI currently completed my Bachelor of
Science in Child and Adolescent Development at Cal State Fullerton. Obtaining my B.S.
at CSUF was a great way to achieve and accomplish. I was a peer mentee, course
assistant, and joined a program called Titan Future Teacher. Luckily, I received awards
from different events I attended.
, Where do you want to be in five years? - answerIn 5 years, I would like to take full
growth and commitment to become an elementary school teacher. I want to advance in
my career more to become a certified kindergarten teacher and probably work in the
next primary grades at elementary school. This is something I would like to do and to
lead the classroom with the administrative team and with young learners.
Describe yourself in five words - answerI am great at learning
What do you like to do outside of work? - answerI love to sing and cook. Also, I like to
swim with my little sister during the summer.
What is your availability? - answerMy availability for work are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If two days are enough, I can squeeze it in for three days a week.
Why do you want to teach? - answerI want to teach children at the Norwalk District
because I have the courtesy and patience. Also, I want to work because I have more
experience with children from different backgrounds and differences they inherit. So,
getting to know the children will help me do better with communication skills and
building interpersonal skills.
What grade levels do you prefer teaching? - answerI prefer teaching at ages 5 all the
way until kindergarten. I have a huge background of the developmental stages in child
development. Also, I have an interest in some games children play and interact with
their peers if they want to play with others.
Why did you pursue your degree? - answerI pursued my degree because I had the
continuation in learning about child development through research and using empirical
articles to read more about children. Also, I am knowledgeable about the development
theories, stages, and milestones that occur with children and how it is impacted
throughout their daily lives.
What were your favorite classes? - answerMy favorite classes were child development
courses, reading, writing, art, music, and some arithmetic. During my practicum
experience, I took initiative in teaching kindergarten students the basic music principles
by singing and dancing. Therefore, I had some experience in singing with children
during my practicum.
What do you think makes a great substitute teacher? - answerThe things that makes a
great substitute aide are patience and flexibility. Based on my educational background
and practicum experience, I took the initiative with communicating and collaborating
with my mentor teachers for a great success as a substitute. So, my expertise as a sub
is providing children with resources and obtaining proper care.
Describe your teaching experience. - answerMy teaching experience involves assisting
the lead teacher with responsibilities and duties. These responsibilities are supervising
