Interview Questions – Principal outside, larger district

1.	What are your strengths and weaknesses?
strengths – business skills (formerly successful business person), people skills
weaknesses – paperwork, organization, maintenance knowledge

2.	How would students describe you? crazy, caring, fair, yet strong, relates humorously.

3.	How do you measure school success? data –  drop-out rate, MAP, ACT; scholarships, student respect, academics, pride.

4.	What has been your greatest challenge as an administrator?  balancing time, needs, priorities, students first, classroom visits.

5.	What has been your greatest achievement as an administrator? great staff, personalities, A+ program and JROTC brought to school

6.	What factors must be considered when trying to raise student achievement?  commitment, vision, importance to teachers, team effort, empowering teachers with curriculum and professional development.

7.	What factors would you consider in hiring a teacher for your building?  philosophy, personality, passion, experience (sometimes), committee interview for some positions.

8.	What personal qualities are important for a teacher?  passion for subject area personality, philosophy, commitment.

9.	What could a teacher expect from you during an observation?  full attention; sit with the students, be a student.

10.	How would you confront a teacher about a negative behavior?  one on one, ask their view , explanation, needs as an employee; put it in writing.

11.	What would you do if a teacher was having a great deal of difficulty with instructing or managing his/her classroom? mentor, send to observe star teacher, peer assistance, assertive discipline, more visits, remove if necessary

12.	What is your philosophy on student discipline?  fairness, consistency, follow policy, don’t make issues personal, show respect, set limits

13.	How do you feel about delegating duties?  good to teach others how to do things; certain things must be done by the principal.

14.	Do you prefer to make decisions yourself or take continual input from teachers?  continual input – empowerment 

15.	How do you involve teachers in the decision making process?  empowerment – professional learning communities

16.	Do you have an open door policy for staff? yes

17.	What do you think about character education programs?  great, ROTC is good character builder

18.	What are your views of staff development activities? meaningful and value very important

19.	Is it important to you that people like you? yes, but not enough to change philosophy.

20.	What is your view of the future of education? positive about the community, support public education, strong beliefs.

Reflection:  

The principal has good people skills and likes to empower teachers while maintaining businesslike.  The principal is more interested in the overall fit of an individual’s personality into the philosophy of being a team player with passion and commitment.  

I think that it is good to consider all aspects of a person’s potential to be a good teacher – not just experience, but not just how well they do in an interview.  Some people need to time to reflect before they can relate their true personality.