20 Avenues: The World School Interview Questions and Answers

Avenues: The World School is a global network of campuses offering a unique, international education for students in grades Pre-K through 12. With campuses in New York, San Francisco, São Paulo, and soon to be open in London and Beijing, Avenues provides students with a truly global education.

If you’re interested in working at Avenues, you can expect the interview process to be competitive. To give yourself the best chance of landing the job, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions. In this article, we’ve gathered a list of sample Avenues interview questions to help you prepare for your interview.

Avenues: The World School Interview Process

The interview process at Avenues: The World School can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone interview and an in-person interview. For some positions, like teaching positions, you may also be required to do a demo lesson. The interview process can be long, but it is generally efficient and smooth.

1. Why do you want to work at Avenues?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their school. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of Avenues that appeal to you or what drew you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I applied to work at Avenues because I was impressed with the curriculum and how much time and effort is put into making sure students have an enriching educational experience. The teachers I spoke to during my interview process were all so passionate about teaching and helping kids learn, which made me excited to join the team. I think I would thrive here as a teacher because I am just as passionate about education as your staff.”

2. What would your teaching philosophy be?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleagues. It’s also an opportunity for you to share what makes you unique as a teacher and how you would approach teaching at this school.

Example: “I believe that every student deserves the best education possible, regardless of their background or learning style. I am passionate about making sure my students feel safe in class and are able to ask questions without fear of judgment. I want them to know they can come to me with any concerns they have and that I will always be there to help them succeed.”

3. How would you approach a student who is not performing well in the classroom?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations with students. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would approach the student and what strategies you use to help them succeed in the classroom.

Example: “I have had a few students who were struggling in my class, and I always make sure to meet with them one-on-one to find out more about their challenges. In these meetings, I try to get to know the student better so that I can figure out what motivates them and what they need to do well in the classroom. I also provide extra support for the student by giving them additional resources or tutoring opportunities.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict amongst coworkers or students, how did you handle it?

When working in a school, you may have to deal with conflict between students or teachers. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle such situations and if you can resolve them effectively.

Example: “I once had a situation where two of my colleagues were arguing about who was better at their job. They both wanted the same position, which made it difficult for either one of them to perform well. I talked to each of them separately and explained that they could work together to get the position. In the end, they worked together and got the promotion.”

5. Describe a lesson plan that you think would be successful for elementary school children.

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience teaching elementary school students. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a lesson plan that you developed and implemented in your previous role.

Example: “I think the most important thing for elementary school children is to make learning fun. I once had an assignment where we were tasked with creating a lesson plan for our class. I decided to create a lesson plan that focused on science experiments. For my experiment, I created a volcano using baking soda and vinegar. The kids loved it, and they learned about how volcanoes work.”

6. Do you have any experience working with children from diverse backgrounds?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with children from different backgrounds. If you have worked with students of diverse backgrounds in the past, share a story or two about how you helped them succeed and overcome challenges.

Example: “In my last position as an elementary school teacher, I had several students who were learning English as their second language. To help these students feel more comfortable in class, I would speak slowly and clearly when talking to them and provide extra support during lessons that required complex vocabulary. The students also enjoyed using technology to practice their new language skills, so we used apps like Duolingo to reinforce what they learned in class.”

7. What are some of your favorite books and why?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleagues. It can also help you determine if the school’s curriculum aligns with your own educational philosophies. When answering this question, try to mention books that are similar to those used in the classroom.

Example: “I love reading children’s literature and biographies. I think it’s important for kids to read stories that inspire them and teach them lessons. My favorite book as a child was ‘The Little Engine That Could.’ I loved how positive and encouraging it was. I still have my childhood copy of it on my bookshelf at home.”

8. If hired, what would be the first thing you would do to prepare for class?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s teaching style and how they plan their lessons. It also helps you understand what kind of teacher they would be, which can help you decide if they are a good fit for your school.

Example: “The first thing I would do when preparing for class is read through my lesson plans and make sure that all of my materials are ready to go. I like to have everything prepared before students arrive so that we can get right into learning. I find that this helps me keep my energy up throughout the day and allows me to focus on my students rather than searching for supplies or missing important information.”

9. Do you have any experience with curriculum development?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with curriculum development and how you can apply it to the school’s current curriculum. Use examples from your previous work or education experiences to explain what you did, how you did it and whether it was successful.

Example: “In my last position as a teacher at an elementary school, I worked on creating a new math curriculum for third-grade students that focused on teaching them basic multiplication skills. We used manipulatives like blocks and counters to help students understand concepts and solve problems. The curriculum helped students develop their multiplication skills by the end of the year, which led to higher test scores in math.”

10. What is your experience with technology in the classroom?

Technology is an important part of education, and the interviewer may want to know how you use it in your classroom. Use examples from your experience that show your comfort level with technology and its role in teaching students.

Example: “I have a laptop for every student in my class, which I use for lessons on coding, robotics and other STEM-related topics. We also have access to a 3D printer, so we can create models of what we’re learning about in class. For example, when we were studying ancient Egypt, we created our own pyramids out of plastic using the printer.”

11. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would lead your team at Avenues. You can describe a specific leadership style that you use and explain why it works for you.

Example: “I believe in being an empathetic leader who is also decisive. I try to listen to my team members’ ideas, concerns and opinions before making any decisions or offering solutions. This helps me make better decisions because I have more information about what’s going on with my team. However, I am decisive when it comes to making important decisions that affect the school as a whole. For example, if there was a budget issue, I would need to decide which programs we could cut so we could stay within our financial constraints.”

12. Provide an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a student.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and passion for teaching. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the student’s name or how their success made you feel.

Example: “I had a student who was struggling in math. I noticed that he would often get distracted during class, so I started meeting with him after school to help him practice his math skills. After a few weeks of tutoring, he began to understand concepts better and even raised his grade by two letter grades. Seeing his improvement gave me a sense of pride knowing that I helped him succeed.”

13. Have you ever observed a teacher who was struggling and needed help? How did you go about helping them?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you approach helping others and your ability to work as part of a team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific steps you took to help the teacher or any skills you learned from assisting them.

Example: “In my last position, I observed one of our teachers who was having trouble with classroom management. She would often lose her patience with students when they were acting up in class, which made learning difficult for everyone. I approached her after school hours and offered to help her develop strategies for managing her classroom better. We met once a week for two months and discussed different techniques she could use to keep her students focused on their lessons.”

14. What qualities do you think make a good teacher?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the qualities they look for in a teacher. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific skills or traits that you possess and how they relate to teaching.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities a teacher can have is patience. I know that students learn at different paces, so having patience with them when they struggle with concepts or assignments can be very beneficial. Another quality I think makes a good teacher is being organized. Having a plan ready for each class period can make lessons more effective and efficient.”

15. Are you comfortable being around young children?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with children. If you have experience working with young children, share some of your favorite moments or accomplishments from that role. If you don’t have direct experience, it’s okay to say so and explain why you’re interested in this position.

Example: “I’ve worked as a camp counselor for the past three summers, and I absolutely love being around kids. My favorite part of my job was when one of the kids would come up to me and tell me about their day. It made me feel like I was making a difference in their lives.”

16. What kind of feedback would you give to parents if their child was struggling in the classroom?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation with parents. When answering, it can be helpful to mention that you would first try to understand the parent’s concerns and then offer solutions or strategies for helping their child succeed in the classroom.

Example: “If I noticed a student was struggling in my class, I would first ask them what they were having trouble with and if there are any specific concepts they’re having difficulty understanding. Then, I would work with them one-on-one to explain the concept until they understood it. If this didn’t solve the problem, I would meet with the parents to discuss their concerns and find out more about what they want from me as a teacher.”

17. What are your thoughts on standardized testing?

Avenues is a school that uses standardized testing to measure student progress. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you feel about the use of these tests in education and whether you have any experience with them. Your answer should show your support for standardized testing as long as it’s used correctly.

Example: “I think standardized testing has its place in education, but I also believe there are better ways to assess students’ learning. For example, I prefer using portfolios over multiple-choice tests because they give me more information about my students’ abilities and skills. In my last position, I helped develop our school’s portfolio system so we could get a better idea of what each student was capable of doing.”

18. What type of environment do you like to create in the classroom?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you interact with students. Describe the type of classroom environment that allows you to be most effective as a teacher, such as one where students are encouraged to speak up or one where they can work independently.

Example: “I like to create an environment in which my students feel comfortable asking questions and expressing their ideas. I find that when students feel safe enough to share their thoughts, it’s easier for them to learn new information. In my last position, I had a class of fifth graders who were eager to learn but also very shy. To help them feel more comfortable speaking up in class, I started each day by having them introduce themselves to the rest of the class. This helped them get to know each other better and made them more likely to participate in class.”

19. Would you say you’re more of a leader or a follower?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential coworkers’ personalities. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re comfortable with both roles and can adapt to different situations.

Example: “I would say I’m somewhere in the middle of being a leader or follower. I enjoy taking on leadership roles when necessary, but I’m also happy to follow someone else’s lead if they have a better idea. In my last position, I was one of two vice presidents, so I had some responsibilities as a leader. However, I also enjoyed following our principal’s lead because she always knew what was best.”

20. What is your experience with discipline in the classroom?

Avenues is a school that focuses on developing students’ character and values. The interviewer wants to know how you will help your students develop these skills in the classroom. Use examples from past experiences where you helped students learn important life lessons or developed their self-discipline.

Example: “I believe that discipline starts at home, so I always make sure my students understand this. If they have behavior issues, I first try to find out what’s going on at home. For example, if a student has been acting out, I’ll ask them about it and see if there are any underlying problems. Then, I’ll talk with their parents to ensure everyone is on the same page. In one instance, I had a student who was constantly talking during class. After speaking with his parents, we found out he was having trouble at home. We worked together to create a plan for him to feel more comfortable in the classroom.”