20 Breakthrough Collaborative Interview Questions and Answers

Breakthrough Collaborative is a national nonprofit organization that is transforming education for high-need students. They do this by recruiting, training, and supporting outstanding teachers and school leaders as they work together to close the achievement gap.

If you’re interested in working with Breakthrough Collaborative, you’ll need to go through an interview process. The interview process is designed to assess your skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as your fit with our organization.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample Breakthrough Collaborative interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Breakthrough Collaborative Interview Process

The interview process at Breakthrough Collaborative is fairly straightforward. After filling out an online application, you will be asked to submit a video of yourself teaching a lesson. If you are selected to move on in the process, you will then have a phone interview with a representative from the organization. Finally, if you are still being considered for the position, you will have an in-person interview.

1. What is your philosophy on teaching?

This question can help interviewers understand your teaching philosophy and how you would approach the role. Use examples from past experiences to explain what makes a good teacher, including your own methods for helping students learn.

Example: “I believe that every student has the ability to succeed if they’re given the right tools and encouragement. I always try to make sure my students know that I’m available to answer questions or provide extra support when needed. When I was working as an adjunct professor at a community college, I noticed that many of my students were struggling with their assignments because they didn’t have access to computers. So, I started offering free computer classes on campus so students could get more practice using the software.”

2. How would you handle a situation where a student was not performing well in class?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you handle challenging situations and whether or not you have the skills to support students who need extra attention. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to work with students one-on-one and provide them with strategies they can use to improve their performance in class.

Example: “If a student was struggling in my class, I would first meet with them to discuss what areas of the course they are having trouble with. From there, I would create a personalized study plan for them that includes additional resources they can use to learn the material. If needed, I would also offer tutoring sessions after school so the student could get more one-on-one time with me.”

3. What do you think are the most important aspects of being an effective teacher?

This question can help interviewers understand your teaching philosophy and how you would approach the role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills as a teacher and explain why they are important.

Example: “I think one of the most important aspects of being an effective teacher is having patience. I know that students learn at different paces, so I always try my best to give them extra time on assignments or tests if they need it. Another important aspect of being an effective teacher is knowing when to step back and let students figure things out for themselves. Sometimes, students just need more time to process information before they can apply it.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a group that did not get along, how did you handle it?

When working with a team, it is important to have good interpersonal skills. Employers ask this question to see if you can work well with others and how you handle conflict. In your answer, try to show that you are able to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Example: “In my last job, I worked on a team of five people who all had different personalities. One person was very quiet and would not speak up at meetings. Another person was always trying to take charge of projects and make decisions for everyone else. This caused some tension between them.

I tried to be as diplomatic as possible when speaking with both individuals. I told them that they should feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions without being afraid of criticism. We eventually came to an agreement where we could all contribute to the project.”

5. Why do you want to teach at Breakthrough Collaborative?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your interest in the position. Use this opportunity to share what attracted you to Breakthrough Collaborative and how it fits with your career goals.

Example: “I want to teach at Breakthrough Collaborative because I believe in its mission of providing students with a quality education that prepares them for college and beyond. I think it’s important to provide underserved communities with access to high-quality educational resources, and I’m excited to be part of an organization that is making a difference in these students’ lives. I also love working with young people, and I feel like I have a lot to offer as a teacher.”

6. Are you comfortable working with children from all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels?

This question is a good way to determine if you have the ability to work with children from different backgrounds and socioeconomic levels. It’s important for teachers to be able to relate to all of their students, regardless of background or financial situation.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with children from all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels. I believe that it’s our job as educators to help every child reach their full potential, no matter what challenges they may face at home. I’ve worked in several schools where there were many low-income families, and I always made sure to make my lessons relatable to them so that they could understand the material.”

7. Describe a lesson plan you have prepared for a class.

A lesson plan is a document that outlines the objectives of a class, the materials you will use to teach those objectives and how students will demonstrate their understanding of the material. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and methods. In your answer, try to describe what you find important in preparing a lesson plan and how it helps you prepare for a day of teaching.

Example: “I think it’s very important to have a clear idea of what I want my students to learn before they arrive at school each morning. A lesson plan allows me to organize my thoughts on how I’ll present information and assess whether or not students are learning as expected. When I was an adjunct professor, I would spend several hours each week planning lessons for my classes. This helped me feel prepared when I entered the classroom.”

8. Do you have experience working with students who speak English as a second language?

If you’re applying for a position in an educational setting, your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about how you interact with students who speak English as a second language. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I have worked with several students who spoke English as a second language throughout my career. I find that the best way to help these students is by using visual aids when presenting information. For example, if I’m teaching a lesson on fractions, I’ll use visuals of objects divided into equal parts to explain what a fraction is. This helps students understand the concept better than just hearing me talk about it.”

9. Have you ever worked with a student who has learning disabilities or special needs?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you might work with students who have special needs. Use your answer to highlight any experience you’ve had working with these types of students and the strategies you used to help them succeed in school.

Example: “I once worked with a student who was diagnosed with dyslexia, which made it difficult for him to read and write. I helped this student by providing one-on-one instruction during our tutoring sessions. This allowed me to give him more time to practice reading and writing skills so he could learn at his own pace. He eventually learned how to read and write independently.”

10. What would you do if a student became aggressive towards another student during class?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and manage challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I would first try to deescalate the situation by asking both students to step out of class for a few minutes so I could speak with them individually. If they refused, I would ask another teacher or administrator to come into my classroom to assist me in removing the student from the room. Once we were alone, I would explain that their behavior is unacceptable and outline the consequences if it happens again. Then, I would allow them to return to class.”

11. Which subject(s) are you interested in teaching and why?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have a passion for the subject matter of their school. It can also show them that you are willing to teach subjects that may not be as popular with students. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific reason why you enjoy teaching that particular subject.

Example: “I am passionate about all subjects, but I would love to teach math and science because they were my favorite subjects in high school. I find those subjects fascinating and always enjoyed helping others understand difficult concepts. I think I could make these subjects fun and engaging for students.”

12. What type of classroom environment do you create?

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 believe in creating an open classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their ideas. I also encourage my students to collaborate on projects so they can learn from each other’s strengths and perspectives. In fact, I require all of my students to complete group assignments at least once per quarter.”

13. What kind of relationship do you like to have with your students?

This question can help an interviewer understand your teaching style and how you interact with students. It’s important to be honest about what kind of relationship you prefer, but it’s also helpful to explain why that type is best for you and the students.

Example: “I like to have a friendly relationship with my students because I think it helps them feel more comfortable asking questions or sharing their ideas. When I first started teaching, I was nervous about being too friendly with my students because I didn’t want them to take advantage of me. However, after talking to other teachers, I learned that having a positive relationship with students actually makes them more likely to listen to me when I need to correct them.”

14. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question can help an interviewer understand your leadership style and how you would approach a new role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the qualities that make you a good leader and what motivates you as a leader.

Example: “I believe I am a strong leader because of my ability to motivate others and encourage collaboration. In my previous position, I was promoted to lead a team of five people. At first, I was nervous about taking on this responsibility, but I realized that I could use my communication skills to help everyone feel comfortable with their roles. As a result, I helped my team members develop their own strengths and become more confident in their abilities.”

15. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a challenging student, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can be firm and fair when necessary, while also being empathetic and compassionate.

Example: “I once had a student who was very disruptive in class. He would talk out of turn, make jokes and distract other students. I spoke with him privately about his behavior and told him it needed to stop. If he continued to disrupt the class, I would have to send him to the principal’s office. After speaking with him, he understood my expectations for him and improved his behavior.”

16. Can you tell us about a time when you were faced with a difficult challenge, what did you do?

When an interviewer asks you this question, they are trying to learn more about your problem-solving skills. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase how you use critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems.

Example: “In my previous role as a project manager, I was faced with a difficult challenge when one of our team members fell ill and had to take time off work. We were in the middle of a tight deadline, so we needed someone who could step in and help us finish the project on time. I called another team member into my office and explained the situation. Together, we decided that he would take over the majority of the project while I focused on finishing up some smaller tasks. By working together, we were able to complete the project on time.”

17. Give an example of a time you had to adapt to a change in plans quickly.

When working in a collaborative environment, it’s important to be able to adapt quickly to changes. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you can do so effectively and efficiently.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager, I had planned out several meetings with clients for the week. One of those meetings was scheduled for later that day, but one of our team members called in sick. I needed to find someone to fill in for them on short notice. I contacted another member of our team who could help me out, and we rearranged all of our client meetings for the day. We were still able to meet with each client during their preferred time frame.”

18. What is your favorite part of being a teacher?

This question is a great way to learn more about your interviewer and their teaching style. It also gives you the opportunity to share what you enjoy most about being a teacher. When answering this question, try to focus on specific aspects of teaching that you find rewarding.

Example: “My favorite part of being a teacher is watching my students grow throughout the year. I love seeing them develop new skills and become more confident in themselves as they progress through our curriculum. Another thing I really enjoy is collaborating with other teachers. I think it’s important for all teachers to work together to ensure each student has an excellent educational experience.”

19. If hired, what would be your strategy for engaging students?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and how you plan to help students succeed. Your answer should include a few strategies that you would use to engage students in the classroom, such as encouraging collaboration or providing opportunities for student feedback.

Example: “I believe it’s important to create a safe environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their ideas. I also think it’s essential to encourage collaborative learning because it helps students develop teamwork and communication skills. In my previous role, I used a variety of techniques to ensure all students felt included and heard. For example, I always asked students to share their thoughts before starting a new lesson so they could get any questions out of the way early.”

20. What qualities should we look for when hiring a new teacher?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy and how you would approach the hiring process. When answering, consider what qualities are most important to you in a teacher and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I think it’s important for teachers to be patient and empathetic. I’ve seen many students who struggle with learning because of their home life or other factors, so I believe we should hire compassionate people who can relate to these students. It’s also important that our new hires have strong communication skills. They need to be able to clearly convey information to students and understand when students aren’t understanding something. Finally, I think it’s essential that all teachers have a passion for education and want to help students succeed.”