Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: ESL • IEP • PBIS

Scaffolding

Term from Secondary Education industry explained for recruiters

Scaffolding is a teaching approach where educators provide temporary support to help students learn new concepts or skills. Like physical scaffolding that supports construction workers and is gradually removed, educational scaffolding gives students structured assistance that is slowly reduced as they become more capable. Teachers use this method by breaking down complex tasks, providing examples, and offering guidance that helps students move from what they already know to new understanding. This approach is based on the work of educational theorists like Vygotsky and is widely used in modern teaching practices.

Examples in Resumes

Implemented Scaffolding techniques to support ESL students in mastering complex vocabulary

Used Scaffolding strategies to help struggling readers advance two grade levels in comprehension

Created Scaffolding materials and visual aids to support special education students in mathematics

Typical job title: "Teachers"

Also try searching for:

Educator Instructional Specialist Learning Support Teacher Special Education Teacher ESL Teacher Curriculum Developer Educational Coach

Where to Find Teachers

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Experienced Teacher Questions

Q: How do you adapt scaffolding strategies for different learning styles and abilities in your classroom?

Expected Answer: An experienced teacher should discuss various approaches like visual aids, step-by-step instructions, modeling, and differentiated materials. They should explain how they assess student needs and adjust support accordingly.

Q: How do you train other teachers in implementing scaffolding techniques?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership by explaining how they share successful strategies, provide examples from their experience, and help colleagues develop their own scaffolding materials and approaches.

Mid-Level Teacher Questions

Q: Describe a successful scaffolding strategy you've used in your classroom.

Expected Answer: Should provide specific examples of implementing scaffolding, such as using graphic organizers, think-alouds, or guided practice, and explain how they measured student progress.

Q: How do you gradually remove scaffolding supports while ensuring student success?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for monitoring student progress and slowly reducing support, with examples of how they maintain student confidence while increasing independence.

Beginning Teacher Questions

Q: What is scaffolding in education and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of scaffolding as temporary support for learning, with simple examples of how it helps students build confidence and master new skills.

Q: What are some basic scaffolding techniques you would use in a lesson?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic strategies like breaking down tasks into smaller steps, providing examples, using visual aids, and offering sentence starters or templates.