~ What books are you reading?
     Reading teachers are important reading role models and should be reading on their own. The discussion may involve book titles, favorite authors, or other reading materials, such as newspapers and magazines.

~ To what professional organizations do you belong?
     Reading teachers should be aware of effective reading instruction practices and current research. The Indiana State Reading Association and the International Reading Association are the two important professional organizations for prospective reading teachers. The discussion may involve attendance at conferences and subscriptions to professional journals.

~ What college reading courses did you complete?
     Reading teachers need a strong background in the areas they teach. The following courses would be helpful: developmental reading, content area reading, analysis of reading ability, corrective/diagnostic/remedial reading, psycholinguistics/language development and reading, and literature for adolescents. A teacher with a reading endorsement will have completed this work. If the prospective teacher has an incomplete background, a second question might concern the willingness of the candidate to complete further courses.

~ Do you believe all middle grades students can read?
     Many students in the middle grades still need strong teacher support to help them improve their reading skills and to encourage them to read voluntarily. What they do not need is a teacher who feels that it is too late to help students who are labeled as being incapable of reading at their grade level.

~ What kind of in-service training do you want from the school corporation?
     The answer will help the interviewer understand the candidate's interest in useful professional development and may help determine future programs that the corporation should offer.

~ How would you encourage parents to be supportive to the reading program?
     Many families are not connected to school activities, especially those involving academics. It is important that reading teachers believe that it is possible to maintain continuing parental involvement. Look for creative suggestions.

~ What evidence of progress will you seek from your students?
     In addition to standardized test results, candidates may discuss means such as portfolios, teacher observation checklists, informal reading tests, and observations.

~ Name three of your favorite young adolescent books or authors.
     There is no correct answer, for there are many books available. A follow-up question for those unable to provide an answer might be, "How would you become familiar with quality young adolescent books and authors?"

~ Do you have a public library card?
     Because it is important to help students become lifelong readers, teachers themselves need to become familiar with their public library. Teachers who do not have public library cards obviously are not using the public library.

~ As one of our reading teachers, in what ways would you promote reading throughout the school and community?