Teachers perform invaluable tasks at schools, including supervising children, instructing students, assessing performance, serving as role models and cooperating with other educators to facilitate assemblies, field trips and other events. After reviewing application materials from potential teachers, select which candidates will proceed to the interview process for available positions. To conduct an effective interview for teaching, come prepared with objectives and potential questions.

Warmly greet and welcome the potential teaching candidate to your school and the interview. Introduce yourself and anyone else who might be observing the interview, including assistant principals, parents, other teachers or student representatives. Ask the teacher if she needs anything before proceeding -- for example, a cup of water.

Begin the interview process by asking a few general questions, such as, "Tell us why you're here today," or "Why did you decide to become a teacher?" These topics serve as a warm-up, and the broad response range allows teachers to encapsulate their training, experience, career goals and personal viewpoints without much interruption from interviewers. If the interview panel consists of more than one person, one person may have the task of focused listening while the other individual takes notes.

Ask more directed questions about the teacher's experience with the relevant age group, classroom management strategies, parent communication skills, assessment techniques, differentiated instruction ability, experience with English language learners, and special skills or training. Answers should reflect the skill set that you're seeking, but also pay attention to the teacher's communication ability and ability to quickly establish rapport with interviewers.

Ask to see the teacher's portfolio. Teaching portfolios might include lesson plans, rubrics, photographs of classroom environments, essays and state test result summaries. Portfolios that appear disorganized, outdated or thin on content might indicate that this isn't the strongest candidate for the position.

Offer to answer any questions that a teacher might have. An appealing candidate will have researched your school and student demographic so that he is prepared to ask insightful questions.