Museums Teacher Interview Preparation Guide

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A person who oversees and manages a museum and its collections

The curator is an expert in her field.

A group of accumulated paintings, documents, or artifacts grouped together by a particular theme

The British Museum collection totals at least 8 million objects.

I have a plethora of informational resources such as books, old letters and documents, and periodicals to help me with my research work. I also keep closely in contact with historical scholars, so that I can have access to verified information.

Relating to the arts and to intellectual achievements

Visiting a museum is an example of a fun cultural activity.

A person employed to show tourists around places of interest

Our tour guide was very informative!

I have a set pattern upon which I create, develop and implement educational programs. Based on these, I lead visitors through museum sections, providing them with information on displays, and the histories and culture connected with them.

This question is pretty straight forward, and the perfect opportunity for you to really let your unique qualities shine. Talk about activities you’ve participated in or passions you have that can easily translate into teachable moments and classroom activities that fall outside the usual curriculum that is currently being enacted. Don’t criticize what they’re doing, but explain how what you’re bringing will augment and compliment what they’ve already got in place.

A person who oversees the operation of a museum

An object made by a human being, of cultural or historical interest

By exhibiting artifacts from the past, museums can teach us a lot about different periods in history.

Anything made by man, especially something useful

A shop that sells items appropriate as gifts

My favourite thing about a trip to a museum is visiting the gift shop!

a single thing that is taken as an example of a whole category

a piece of work produced by shaping solid figures(as people or things)out of stone,wood,clay,metal etc.

☛ Why did you choose to work as a museum curator?
☛ What do you find important about preserving history?
☛ Have you been to any museum exhibitions recently?
☛ Have you been to any galleries recently?
☛ What did you like/dislike about the galleries/exhibitions?
☛ How would you organize information about an upcoming gallery?
☛ Is there a specific time period in which you are most interested?
☛ What do you think is the primary challenge facing museums today?
☛ How do you feel about interactive exhibitions?
☛ Where would you like your career to be in 10 years?
☛ What approach would you use to make your exhibitions more acceptable?
☛ What situations might occur that would cause you to cancel/rethink an exhibition?
☛ What tools do you believe are most effective for marketing your exhibitions?
☛ Are you comfortable travelling to find new pieces for an exhibition?
☛ What were your favorite museum studies classes in college?

Communication is literally everything when one has a job such as that of a museum educator. Since one has to communicate with people from all walks of life on a daily basis, it is imperative that one’s skills in verbal communication especially, are exceptional.

This question is another common teaching interview question and a perfect example of why preparing and practicing your answers before you get to the interview is critical! Use this opportunity to provide specific reasons why you’re interested in the school by drawing on the information you gathered during your research.

Whoever is interviewing you is genuinely interested in knowing if you’re actually interested in the position or if you’re just sending out resumes and showing up for whoever calls you no matter where they are. Having specific answers tailored to your audience shows enthusiasm, initiative and dedication, all qualities that are valuable!

A public display of works of art or items of interest held in a museum or gallery for people to see

I would like to visit the Sherlock Holmes exhibition at the Museum of London in October.

a room or building that is used for showing works of art

caretaker,a person who takes care of a building keeping it clean and doing some rapairs

The remains of something, such as an object or person

House of worship

To maintain something in its original or existing state

As The Mona Lisa is over 500 years old, there are many people working on its preservation.

This is probably the most often asked teacher question which means whoever is interviewing you has probably heard just about every story in the book… Giving a standard “because I love helping people learn” isn’t going to cut it here.

You want to give an answer that is heartfelt and genuine and really illustrates why you chose this field. Take time before your interview to really reflect on why you’re doing what you’re doing. Was there someone in your past who inspired you and you want to pay that forward and inspire others? Draw from specific examples. Make your response thoughtful, genuine, and honest.

After I obtained my degree in history, there were a few choice that I had, such as teaching and research work. One other was working as a museum educator, which piqued my interest more because I somehow felt connected to this work. I tried my luck and soon decided that this work was right down my alley. And here I am!

a container with glass sides in which valuable or important objects are kept so that they can be looked at without being touched, damaged, or stolen