INTERVIEW

Ace Your Physical Education Teacher Interview

Master the most common PE interview questions with proven answers and actionable tips.

8 Questions
45 min Prep Time
5 Categories
STAR Method
What You'll Learn
To equip aspiring and current Physical Education Teachers with targeted interview questions, model answers, and preparation strategies that showcase their expertise in classroom management, curriculum design, student engagement, and safety.
  • Learn how to demonstrate effective classroom management techniques
  • Showcase your ability to design inclusive PE curricula
  • Highlight strategies for motivating diverse student populations
  • Explain your approach to health, safety, and injury prevention
Difficulty Mix
Easy: 40%
Medium: 35%
Hard: 25%
Prep Overview
Estimated Prep Time: 45 minutes
Formats: behavioral, situational, technical
Competency Map
Classroom Management: 25%
Curriculum Design: 20%
Student Engagement: 20%
Assessment & Evaluation: 20%
Health & Safety: 15%

Classroom Management

Describe a time when you had to manage a disruptive student during a PE class. How did you handle it?
Situation

In my sophomore year, a student repeatedly ignored safety rules during basketball drills, causing delays and tension.

Task

I needed to ensure safety, maintain class flow, and address the behavior without discouraging the student.

Action

I paused the activity, spoke privately with the student to understand his perspective, explained the safety impact, and set clear expectations. I also offered a leadership role in demonstrating proper technique to channel his energy positively.

Result

The student complied, the class resumed smoothly, and his peers noted the improved safety awareness. Over the next weeks, his behavior improved, and he became a peer mentor.

Follow‑up Questions
  • What would you do if the student continued to be disruptive after your intervention?
  • How do you balance discipline with encouraging a love for physical activity?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Clarity of the situation description
  • Demonstrates empathy and communication skills
  • Shows ability to enforce rules while maintaining rapport
  • Results-oriented outcome
Red Flags to Avoid
  • Blaming the student without self‑reflection
  • Lack of concrete actions
Answer Outline
  • Identify the disruptive behavior and its impact
  • Explain the immediate steps taken to ensure safety
  • Describe the private conversation and expectations set
  • Show the positive outcome for the student and class
Tip
Emphasize the balance between safety enforcement and fostering a supportive environment.
How do you organize a PE lesson plan to accommodate students of varying skill levels?
Situation

While teaching a mixed‑ability 7th‑grade class, I needed to deliver a unit on volleyball where skill levels ranged from beginners to experienced players.

Task

Create a lesson that challenges advanced students while ensuring beginners can participate safely and learn fundamentals.

Action

I used a tiered activity structure: a warm‑up for all, skill stations with differentiated tasks (basic passing for beginners, advanced spiking drills for skilled students), and a modified game where teams were balanced using skill‑based point adjustments. I provided clear visual cues and peer‑coaching pairs.

Result

All students stayed engaged; beginners mastered basic skills, and advanced students refined techniques. The unit’s post‑assessment showed a 20% improvement across the class, and student feedback highlighted increased confidence.

Follow‑up Questions
  • Can you give an example of a specific assessment you used to measure progress?
  • How do you adjust the plan if time is limited?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Understanding of differentiation
  • Practical lesson‑planning steps
  • Evidence of measurable results
  • Student‑centered focus
Red Flags to Avoid
  • One‑size‑fits‑all approach
  • Vague description of differentiation
Answer Outline
  • Explain the need for differentiation
  • Detail the tiered activity structure
  • Show how you balance challenge and support
  • Provide measurable outcomes
Tip
Mention specific strategies like skill stations, peer coaching, and modified scoring.

Health & Safety

What steps do you take to prevent injuries during high‑intensity activities?
Situation

During a high‑school sprint interval session, I noticed several students were pushing beyond their limits, increasing injury risk.

Task

Implement preventive measures while maintaining the workout’s intensity.

Action

I conducted a quick dynamic warm‑up, demonstrated proper form, set clear intensity limits, used a buddy system for monitoring, and placed cones to define safe zones. I also provided hydration breaks and a post‑session cool‑down stretch.

Result

No injuries occurred, and students reported feeling safer and more confident. Performance metrics improved by 10% in subsequent sessions.

Follow‑up Questions
  • How would you handle a student who insists on exceeding the set limits?
  • What policies do you follow for emergency situations?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Awareness of injury risks
  • Specific preventive actions
  • Clear communication of limits
  • Positive safety outcomes
Red Flags to Avoid
  • Ignoring warm‑up importance
  • Lack of monitoring plan
Answer Outline
  • Identify risk factors in high‑intensity activities
  • Outline preventive measures (warm‑up, form checks, monitoring)
  • Explain implementation during the session
  • Share positive outcome
Tip
Highlight both proactive (warm‑up, instruction) and reactive (monitoring, emergency plan) components.
Describe a situation where you had to respond to a student injury on the field. What was your response?
Situation

During a middle‑school soccer match, a student twisted his ankle after a slide tackle and was in visible pain.

Task

Provide immediate care, assess severity, and decide on next steps while keeping the game safe for others.

Action

I stopped the game, instructed teammates to stay back, performed a quick RICE assessment, communicated calmly with the student, and called the school nurse. I documented the incident, informed parents, and adjusted the lesson plan to a low‑impact activity for the rest of the period.

Result

The student received prompt care, avoided further injury, and returned to full participation after a week. The incident was recorded correctly, satisfying school policy and parental concerns.

Follow‑up Questions
  • What preventive measures would you implement to reduce similar injuries?
  • How do you ensure the rest of the class stays engaged after an injury interruption?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Promptness and appropriateness of first aid
  • Clear communication and documentation
  • Adherence to school policies
  • Student‑centered follow‑up
Red Flags to Avoid
  • Delaying care
  • Skipping documentation
Answer Outline
  • Describe the injury incident
  • Explain immediate first‑aid steps (RICE)
  • Detail communication with staff, parents, and documentation
  • Outcome and follow‑up
Tip
Emphasize adherence to emergency protocols and thorough documentation.
How do you incorporate health education into your PE curriculum?
Situation

My school required a holistic approach to wellness, integrating nutrition and mental health with physical activity for 5th graders.

Task

Design a unit that blends physical skills with health knowledge and keeps students engaged.

Action

I created a 4‑week module where each PE lesson began with a 5‑minute health mini‑lecture (e.g., nutrition labels, stress‑relief techniques). Activities reinforced the topic—e.g., a relay race using food‑group cards. I used interactive quizzes and student‑led presentations to deepen understanding.

Result

Students demonstrated a 30% increase in health‑knowledge quiz scores and reported higher enthusiasm for PE. Teachers noted improved classroom behavior linked to better stress management.

Follow‑up Questions
  • Can you share an example of a student‑led activity you used?
  • How do you assess health‑knowledge retention?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Integration of health concepts
  • Creative activity design
  • Evidence of student learning
  • Alignment with curriculum standards
Red Flags to Avoid
  • Treating health education as an afterthought
  • No assessment plan
Answer Outline
  • State the holistic wellness goal
  • Outline the structure of integrated lessons
  • Give concrete activity examples
  • Provide measurable results
Tip
Mention cross‑curricular links and specific assessment methods like quizzes or reflections.
What strategies do you use to ensure inclusive participation for students with disabilities?
Situation

In my inclusive 4th‑grade PE class, two students used wheelchairs and one had a visual impairment.

Task

Adapt activities so all students could fully participate safely and feel valued.

Action

I performed a needs assessment, consulted with the special‑education coordinator, and modified equipment (e.g., larger balls, tactile markers). I designed stations with adaptable rules, paired students for peer support, and provided clear verbal cues. I also trained classmates on inclusive etiquette.

Result

All students completed the unit, with the wheelchair users reporting a 90% satisfaction rate. The class’s overall engagement scores rose, and the school recognized the program as a model for inclusion.

Follow‑up Questions
  • How do you evaluate whether adaptations are effective?
  • What challenges have you faced when implementing inclusive activities?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Understanding of ADA/IEP considerations
  • Specific adaptation examples
  • Collaboration with support staff
  • Positive student feedback
Red Flags to Avoid
  • One‑size‑fits‑all adaptations
  • Ignoring individual IEP goals
Answer Outline
  • Identify the diverse needs
  • Explain collaboration and equipment adaptations
  • Describe inclusive activity design and peer support
  • Show positive outcomes
Tip
Highlight collaboration with special‑education staff and concrete modifications.

Assessment & Evaluation

How do you assess student progress in physical skills and fitness?
Situation

At the start of the school year, I needed a systematic way to track 6th‑grade students’ motor skill development and cardiovascular fitness.

Task

Create reliable, formative, and summative assessments that inform instruction.

Action

I used a skills checklist for fundamental movements (e.g., dribbling, jumping) administered quarterly, and a FitnessGram test for aerobic capacity. I recorded data in a digital gradebook, provided individualized feedback, and adjusted lesson plans based on trends.

Result

By year‑end, 85% of students met grade‑level skill benchmarks, and fitness scores improved by an average of 12%. Parents appreciated the transparent progress reports.

Follow‑up Questions
  • What modifications do you make for students who are significantly below grade level?
  • How do you communicate progress to parents?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Use of valid assessment tools
  • Data‑driven instruction
  • Clear feedback mechanisms
  • Demonstrated improvement
Red Flags to Avoid
  • Relying solely on anecdotal observation
Answer Outline
  • Explain the need for skill and fitness assessment
  • Detail tools used (checklist, FitnessGram)
  • Describe data tracking and feedback
  • Present outcome metrics
Tip
Mention both qualitative (observations) and quantitative (tests) measures.
Tell us about a time you used assessment data to modify your teaching approach.
Situation

Mid‑year fitness test results showed that many 8th‑graders struggled with the mile run, indicating low aerobic endurance.

Task

Revise the unit to improve cardiovascular fitness without sacrificing other curriculum goals.

Action

I introduced interval training games, incorporated cross‑training activities like jump rope circuits, and set weekly personal goal tracking. I also provided optional after‑school cardio clubs for extra practice.

Result

Run times improved by an average of 1.5 minutes across the cohort, and student enthusiasm for cardio activities increased, reflected in higher attendance at optional sessions.

Follow‑up Questions
  • How do you ensure the new activities align with state PE standards?
  • What feedback did students give about the changes?
Evaluation Criteria
  • Data‑informed decision making
  • Alignment with standards
  • Specific instructional adjustments
  • Positive outcome evidence
Red Flags to Avoid
  • Changing curriculum without data justification
Answer Outline
  • Identify the assessment insight
  • Explain the instructional changes made
  • Detail specific activities introduced
  • Show measurable improvement
Tip
Highlight the link between assessment findings and targeted instructional interventions.
ATS Tips
  • classroom management
  • curriculum development
  • student engagement
  • assessment
  • health and safety
  • inclusive PE
  • fitness testing
  • lesson planning
Download PE Teacher Resume Template
Practice Pack
Timed Rounds: 30 minutes
Mix: easy, medium, hard

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