Sample interview questions: Can you describe a time when you had to work with a challenging parent or guardian? How did you handle it?
Sample answer:
Working with challenging parents or guardians is an occasional aspect of being a substitute teacher. Here is an example of how I handled a challenging parent:
During a 3rd grade class I was substituting for, I had a parent who was overprotective and constantly questioned my teaching methods. They would send frequent emails and phone calls, demanding to know why I was teaching the material the way I was and suggesting alternative methods that they felt were better.
Initial Approach:
– Communication: I initiated a conversation with the parent over the phone. I listened actively to their concerns and tried to understand their perspective.
– Transparency: I explained to them the curriculum and educational goals for the grade level and the reasons behind my teaching methods.
Resolution:
– Collaboration: I invited the parent to observe my class one day, so they could see the methods in action and interact with the students. I also suggested a parent-teacher conference to discuss their concerns in more detail.
– Building Trust: During the observation and conference, I made sure to be open to feedback and suggestions. I also provided examples of student progress and how my methods were helping them learn.
– Adaptation: After listening to th… Read full answer