Want to Retain Great Teachers? Start by Asking Better Interview Questions

📘 SUBHEADER

Summary for Educators

Based on Larry Ferlazzo
"Want to Retain Teachers? Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring Them"
Education Week, March 16, 2026.

🔵 THE BIG IDEA 

Teacher shortages have led many districts to focus intensely on recruitment, but Larry Ferlazzo argues that retention begins much earlier—during the hiring interview itself. The questions schools ask communicate what they truly value. Interviews centered on compliance, hypothetical scenarios, or superficial credentials often miss the qualities that predict long-term success. Instead, leaders should ask candidates to reflect on authentic teaching experiences, relationships with students, collaboration with colleagues, responses to setbacks, and continuous professional growth.

Equally important, interviews should allow candidates to evaluate the school. Teachers are more likely to remain where they understand the mission, experience supportive leadership, and believe they will be respected as professionals. Effective hiring is less about selecting the "perfect" teacher and more about finding educators whose beliefs, strengths, and commitment align with the school's culture and vision.

🔵 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR EDUCATORS

• • Ask behavior-based questions grounded in authentic classroom experiences.
• • Explore how candidates build relationships with students and colleagues.
• • Look for evidence of reflection, adaptability, and continuous learning.
• • Share the school's culture honestly so candidates can assess organizational fit.
• • Include opportunities for candidates to ask meaningful questions.
• • View hiring as the first step in teacher retention, not simply staff replacement.

◻️ WHY IT MATTERS 

Replacing teachers is expensive, disruptive, and affects student learning. Schools that hire educators whose values align with their culture often experience stronger collaboration, greater professional satisfaction, and improved retention. Thoughtful interviews help identify candidates who embrace growth, seek feedback, and contribute positively to the school community. In today's competitive hiring environment, successful schools recognize that every interview is also an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of leadership and support new teachers can expect after they are hired.

🟢 LEADERSHIP ACTION STEPS

✔ Redesign interview questions to focus on authentic teaching experiences.

✔ Include questions that reveal collaboration, resilience, and reflective practice.

✔ Showcase mentoring, coaching, and professional learning opportunities during interviews.

✔ Invite candidates to ask substantive questions about school culture and leadership.

✔ Review retention data annually to determine whether hiring practices predict long-term success.

🟡 LEADER REFLECTION

If your interview questions reveal what your school values most, what message are you currently sending to every teaching candidate?

Original Article

Want to Retain Teachers? Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring Them

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (5.2) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com