Every center director has been there. You are desperate for a lead preschool teacher, your waiting list is growing, and you only have fifteen minutes before you need to jump in to cover a lunch break.
When time is that tight, you cannot waste it asking standard questions about their five-year plan. You need to look for specific behavioral cues.
First, ask them to describe the worst day they ever had in a classroom. Listen closely to who they blame. A mediocre teacher will blame the children or the parents. A great teacher will talk about how the environment was chaotic or how the schedule fell apart, showing they understand that behavior is communication. Next, watch how they react to interruptions. If a toddler wanders into your office during the interview, does the candidate freeze, or do they naturally engage with the child? Degrees and certificates are just baseline requirements. Empathy and adaptability are what actually keep a classroom running smoothly.