What techniques do you use to engage reluctant students?
Today, classrooms include a wide variety of students, many of whom are "special education" students (hyperactivity, autism, developmental delays, etc.), so it requires teachers to know ways to meet the unique educational needs of each child, especially those with disabilities. Even if you don't have much experience working with special children, educate yourself about the process and familiarize yourself with methods of communicating with them. Be prepared with a few examples of ways you can differentiate guides to support their specific needs.
Teaching is a rewarding but challenging profession, especially when it comes to teaching math and competing with the many forms of instant entertainment and gratification available to students. Show the interviewer how you plan to interact with these students in order to foster relationships while also assisting them in learning and possibly enjoying math.
Answer: "I knew that if I chose to teach math, I would encounter students who are hesitant to participate because they don't see the relevance of math or struggle with it. With reluctant students, I believe there are numerous techniques that can be used, depending on the student's personality, what I am attempting to teach, and how the other students in the class are performing. For example, I had a student who was having difficulty with the concept of area. I knew this student enjoyed playing Minecraft, so I used it to connect with him and demonstrate how to calculate the area of a shape in a practical way that he could understand. That wouldn't work for every student, but I believe that by connecting with them and getting to know them, I can help them understand math."
