How is teaching different today?
In previous learning models, there was likely little standardization of school objectives and curriculums and minimal differentiation for student needs. With modern education, both teachers and school administrators are more inclined to embrace students’ unique learning abilities and innovative ways of active listening and retaining information.
Those in the education industry typically have to stay up-to-date on changes driven by research and development, technology, knowledge access and societal expectations. When hiring teachers for K-12 education, it’s important to understand the tasks they must perform in modern schools. These responsibilities include much more than mentoring and teaching students as their reach may go beyond the classroom.
What is the role of a teacher?
Teachers typically support students as they become independent learners, empowering them to think critically through analysis, questioning and high-level thinking. Teachers also help shape the lives of their students and provide guidance as they work through the school curriculum.
Some teachers can even influence their students’ futures and career choices by helping them refine or recognize their skills. Over time, they may be able to identify talents, or students may be open with their teachers about their passions. For example, if a student has a positive learning experience in their high school English class, they may be more inclined to pursue a degree in language arts, such as creative writing, literature or publishing.
Teachers can also encourage students to pursue their passions through tutoring, extracurricular activities or by providing them with credible resources to further their knowledge.
Teaching can be a multifaceted profession. Some primary roles of a teacher are:
1. Providing mentorship
There’s generally a connection between a caring, knowledgeable teacher and a secure, motivated learner. Addressing personal challenges is typically important in student mentorship, as it can help create a supportive environment beyond academic success.
As you’re interviewing teachers, look for candidates who actively try to understand every student’s defining characteristics, including:
- Social, economic and cultural background
- Individual learning styles and abilities
- Access to resources
- Aptitudes and interests
- Home environment and family involvement
Teachers who offer mentorship may also be willing to commit time outside the classroom to their students, for additional review or to provide resources that supplement the lesson plan. Providing feedback can also help students improve. For example, if a student scores a low grade, a quality new hire may offer to meet with them and attempt to explain the subject in a different way.
2. Inspiring learners
To help inspire learning, teachers may leverage different instructional methods that align with students’ individual learning styles and aptitudes. For example, teachers might ask elementary-age students to write instructions for a task, such as how to make a milkshake, to demonstrate how to be precise with language.
Ask strategic interview questions to find educators with creative and flexible teaching styles. For example, “Can you tell me about a time you found an innovative way to help a student feel enthusiastic about learning?”
3. Encouraging curiosity
Successful teachers often encourage curiosity and exploration in the classroom. Look for candidates who create lesson plans with activities tailored to each student.
Teachers encourage students to take ownership of their learning by engaging their natural curiosity. Strong candidates may connect learning goals to lifelong value and use diverse methods to increase class participation, such as music-based lessons for auditory learners, hands-on assignments for tactile learners or assessments that measure student accomplishments.
4. Creating meaningful experiences
Curating and building meaningful experiences can prepare students to solve everyday challenges outside the classroom, as students are often more cooperative when they can contribute to the format and content of their curriculum. Consider teacher applicants who are passionate about providing guidance to students through lesson plans and goal setting.
These interactive experiences can reinforce the theoretical ideas students learn in class. They may also refine skills and habits that help students achieve their educational goals.
5. Leveraging technology
Teachers can incorporate technology into the learning process by focusing on information literacy, or the ability to decipher its credibility, and teaching students how to evaluate if data is reputable and trustworthy. You can also use training plans to help teachers become proficient in available classroom technology.
Evaluate whether candidates have experience using learning management systems (LMS) or collaborative learning platforms, such as online discussion boards.
6. Mediating and communicating with parents and education professionals
Teachers often work with multiple collaborators, including parents, administrators and other teachers. For example, teachers may need to relay important information about assignments and school policies to parents. They might collaborate with fellow teachers to develop activities that support the school curriculum.
Because they typically work directly with administrators and parents, they can act as mediators who represent students’ best interests. Conflict resolution may be another task in the classroom, as well as enforcing school policies.
During interviews, consider asking each candidate about how they can mediate and act as a liaison by asking situational interview questions.
7. Researching learning strategies
Teachers typically need to be knowledgeable about new ideas, research and practices that affect learning or education to adapt their strategies to improve student outcomes. For example, teachers might use research to understand and cater to different learning dynamics, such as students who better comprehend project-based learning or real-world examples.
You might inquire about ways each candidate pursues continuous education and how they implement that knowledge into lesson plans. For example, you might ask a behavioral question, such as, “Can you tell me about a course or conference you attended and how it impacted your teaching style?”
8. Acting as a role model
Teachers can help shape their students’ values and character through their behavior, attitude and teaching methods. Teachers can strive to be good role models by demonstrating empathy, kindness and a commitment to lifelong learning. Through positive behavior, they can help students develop essential social skills, such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. They can also encourage students to take risks, ask questions and explore new ideas.
Consider evaluating if your teacher applicants are aware of their impact on students and committed to continuous personal growth. This may be evident by asking candidates how they want to influence and shape students’ passions and careers. Candidates with voluntary certifications may also demonstrate an interest in continual growth.
9. Developing lesson plans
Lesson planning is a crucial part of a teacher’s job, as it ensures students receive a structured and comprehensive learning experience. The process typically includes defining learning objectives from a standardized content curriculum, utilizing relevant instructional resources and implementing appropriate teaching strategies.
Lesson plans may involve multiple teaching methods to convey course content, such as pre-assessments, discussions, projects and checks for understanding. Teachers may also use online resources, multimedia and educational software to enhance the learning experience, and both administrative feedback and assessment data can lead to lesson plan adjustments.
Consider asking candidates how they construct their lesson plans and examples of modifications they’ve made for students’ needs.
10. Promoting critical thinking skills
Critical thinking skills can help students analyze information, evaluate evidence and solve problems. Teachers may often encourage critical thinking regardless of the subject area. For example, they might use strategies such as debates, open-ended discussions and group problem-solving exercises to encourage students to ask questions and explore new ideas, which can help develop critical thinking skills.
You may find potential hires who can help students develop problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills by asking applicants critical thinking skills questions during interviews. These abilities can help students succeed in their personal and professional lives, enabling them to assess complex situations and adapt to changing circumstances.
11. Providing one-on-one support
Differentiated learning and individual support are generally important for all students, especially for those who require additional help or guidance. This personalized guidance may be achieved through assignment or instruction accommodations, small group instruction, tutoring, mentoring and coaching.
Students may not recognize when they need additional help, so teachers can monitor progress using assessment data and formative observations, offering assistance where appropriate. You can assess whether candidates have soft skills such as active listening, problem-solving and strong communication abilities to support each student, helping them build confidence and develop a growth mindset.
12. Embracing lifelong learning
Lifelong learning helps teachers stay current on the latest teaching methods, technologies and subject-specific knowledge. Search for candidates enthusiastic about ongoing professional development activities that enhance their teaching skills by participating in workshops, attending conferences and pursuing training.
You can also support teacher learning by offering online courses, webinars and educational podcasts. Continuous education may help teachers adapt to new curriculum requirements, technological advancements and shifting student needs.
To assess teachers’ knowledge about modern technology, you might ask them to explain the steps they take to embrace or prevent artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Their answers may express an awareness of how other schools approach it, such as using Google Classroom’s AI capabilities.
Teachers in modern education
Modern teachers help guide students toward new information, accommodate learning differences and encourage essential developmental relationships. Teachers are also responsible for creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students feel respected and valued.
When hiring teachers, it’s important to build a diverse workforce prepared to guide the next generation of learners. Detailed teacher job descriptions with clear responsibilities can help you attract educators with the necessary skills and traits. If you’re hiring for public education roles, you also need to follow state requirements for any required certifications and degrees.
