20 K12 Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a position at K12, you can expect questions that assess your knowledge of the company, its mission, and its educational philosophy. In addition, you may be asked questions about your experience working with technology and online learning platforms, as well as your ability to develop and deliver engaging curriculum.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample K12 interview questions and answers that you can use to develop your own responses. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job.

K12 Interview Process

The interview process at K12 can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of several rounds, including a phone screening and an interview with a Principal. The process can take a couple of weeks to complete.

Overall, reviewers found the interview process to be average in difficulty. Some noted that the questions were direct and to the point, while others found them more conversational. There was generally positive feedback about the responsiveness of the team during the process.

For those applying to teach, it is important to note that you may be asked to record a lesson or answer questions on video. Reviewers found this to be a more in-depth process than a traditional teaching interview. It is recommended that you watch some tips on YouTube before beginning.

Overall, the experience was positive for most reviewers. Those who did not get the job felt that the process was fair and transparent.

1. What is your teaching philosophy?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with their school’s values. To answer, think about what you believe is most important for students to learn in the classroom. Explain that philosophy clearly and use examples from your experience to show how you apply it to your work.

Example: “I believe that every student has unique strengths and weaknesses, so I tailor my lessons to each individual student. For example, when I taught high school English, I noticed one of my students had a hard time understanding metaphors. So, I created an extra lesson on metaphors where we discussed different types of metaphors and how they can be used in everyday life. This helped my student understand metaphors better and improved his grades.”

2. Why do you want to work at K12?

This question helps employers learn more about your interest in their company. When you answer, try to highlight the aspects of K12 that attracted you to apply for a position with them. You can also use this opportunity to show how your skills and experience align with what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I want to work at K12 because I’m passionate about helping students reach their full potential. I’ve worked as a teacher for five years now, and I love seeing my students grow and develop new skills. Working here would allow me to continue doing something I love while using technology to help students learn even more.”

3. How would you manage a class with a student who had behavioral issues?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your classroom management skills. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a student with behavioral issues and the steps you took to help them succeed.

Example: “In my last position as an English teacher, I had a student who would often disrupt class by talking out of turn or not paying attention. At first, I tried to ignore his behavior, but after several warnings, I realized that he needed more support than just verbal reminders. So, I pulled him aside during lunch one day and explained that I wanted to help him succeed. We talked about what he was struggling with in class and how we could work together to improve his grades.”

4. Describe how you would teach a student that was struggling in math.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you would handle a challenging situation with students. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use different teaching methods to help students learn math concepts.

Example: “I have had experience working with students who struggle in math. I find it’s important to first assess the student’s current knowledge of the subject matter. Then, I will create an individualized lesson plan for them based on their needs. For example, if they are struggling with basic addition, I might start by reviewing the concept of place value. Then, I’ll move onto more complex problems like subtraction and multiplication.”

5. Have you worked remotely before?

Working remotely is a common practice in the K12 industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with working from home or another location. In your answer, explain that you have worked remotely before and describe how it went.

Example: “I’ve worked remotely for two years now. I find it very beneficial because I can work when I’m most productive. It also allows me to spend more time with my family. However, there are some challenges as well. For example, I sometimes struggle to stay focused without anyone around. To combat this, I use noise-canceling headphones and set timers to remind myself of breaks.”

6. Do you have experience working with diverse populations of students?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with students from different backgrounds and learning styles. When answering, consider describing a time when you worked with a diverse group of students or helped a student overcome challenges due to their background.

Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different types of students in my previous role as an online teacher. One of my favorite parts of teaching was getting to know each student’s unique personality and interests. I always made sure to create lessons that would appeal to all types of learners. For example, I once taught a lesson on how to make slime that appealed to both visual and kinesthetic learners.”

7. Tell us about your most successful lesson plan.

Interviewers want to know how you plan lessons and what your process is. They also want to see if you have any experience teaching students of different ages, abilities or learning styles.

Example: “In my last position as a high school English teacher, I developed an interactive lesson on the elements of fiction that was very successful with all grades. The lesson included reading excerpts from several books and analyzing them for plot, setting, character development and other elements. Students were able to apply their knowledge by writing their own short stories using the elements we discussed in class.”

8. Tell me about a time where you needed to adapt to change and how did it go?

When working in education, you may need to adapt to change quickly. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle adapting to new situations and challenges. Use your answer to show that you are a problem solver who is willing to try new things.

Example: “When I first started teaching, I was used to using the same curriculum every year with my students. However, one of my colleagues suggested we use different curricula each quarter to keep our lessons fresh. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would work, but after trying it out for a few quarters, I realized it helped me engage my students more. Now, I am comfortable switching up my lesson plans as needed.”

9. Is there any reason why you won’t be able to fulfill the responsibilities required for this job?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re qualified for the job and that you can do it. They want to know what your limitations are, so they can decide if you’re a good fit for the position. If you have any reasons why you might not be able to fulfill the responsibilities of the job, explain them honestly.

Example: “I am currently pregnant with my first child, which means I will need maternity leave in six months. I understand that there is no paid maternity leave at this school district, but I would like to assure you that I will work hard until then.”

10. How would you handle a parent complaining about their child’s grades?

Parents are an important part of the school community, and they may have questions or concerns about their child’s grades. An interviewer wants to know that you can handle these situations with tact and professionalism.

Example: “I would first listen to what the parent has to say and ask them if there is anything I can do to help. If a student is struggling in one particular subject, I might suggest tutoring or extra credit opportunities. If a student is having trouble with overall grades, I would want to find out more information from the parents so I could understand the situation better.”

11. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?

This question can help interviewers get a better sense of your understanding of the teaching profession and how you might approach challenges that arise. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss specific issues you’ve seen in your own experience or those you’ve read about in the news.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing teachers today is the lack of funding for public schools. In my last district, we had to make cuts to our curriculum because we didn’t have enough money to buy new books. I would like to see more support from state and federal governments so that teachers don’t have to worry about whether they’ll have the resources they need to do their jobs.”

12. What tools or technology do you use to improve your efficiency as a teacher?

This question can help interviewers understand your technical skills and how you use them to improve the classroom experience for students. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific tool or technology that you’ve used in the past and its impact on your teaching methods.

Example: “I believe that technology is an important part of education because it allows me to create engaging lessons for my students. In my last position, I used Google Classroom to share resources with other teachers and communicate with parents. This helped me keep track of assignments and grades while also providing parents with updates about their child’s progress.”

13. What role does collaboration play in your classroom?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with your colleagues and other stakeholders. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which collaboration helped you achieve success.

Example: “Collaboration is an important part of my classroom because I believe that students learn best when they’re working together on projects and assignments. In the past, I’ve had classes where we worked independently for most of the day, but I found that this didn’t always lead to the best results. Instead, I started implementing more collaborative learning strategies into my curriculum, such as group discussions and project-based learning. This has led to higher test scores and better retention rates among my students.”

14. What would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, think of two or three things you’re good at and two or three things you need to improve on.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I’m always willing to help someone out, even if it means staying late or coming in early. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on the task at hand that I forget to take breaks. This can lead to me feeling overwhelmed and stressed.”

15. If hired, what do you hope to achieve by the end of your first year?

This question helps employers understand your goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific objectives that relate to the job description or company values.

Example: “I hope to make a positive impact on students’ lives by helping them develop important skills and knowledge. I also want to help my school district increase its graduation rate by 10% within one year of being hired.”

16. Give an example of how you motivate your students on a daily basis.

Teachers are responsible for motivating their students to learn and succeed. Interviewers want to know how you plan lessons that keep students engaged and excited about learning.

Example: “I believe the best way to motivate my students is by making sure they understand why a subject is important. I make it a point to explain concepts in ways that help them relate to real-world situations. For example, when teaching math, I use examples of how people use math in everyday life. This helps students see the relevance of what they’re learning and motivates them to work hard.”

17. What kind of environment allows you to perform best?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and preferences. They want to know if you would be a good fit for their school’s culture. When answering, try to describe the kind of environment that you are comfortable in while also highlighting how you can adapt to different situations.

Example: “I thrive in an environment where I am given autonomy over my work. I prefer to work independently but am happy to collaborate with others when necessary. I find that I am able to produce high-quality work quickly when I have the freedom to do so.”

18. What is your favorite subject to teach?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a teacher and understand what subjects you enjoy teaching. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific subject or topic that you enjoyed teaching in the past and why.

Example: “My favorite subject to teach is math because I love seeing students learn new concepts and develop their problem-solving skills. In my last role, I had a student who was struggling with basic addition and subtraction. After working one-on-one with her for several weeks, she mastered those basic math functions and went on to master multiplication and division.”

19. What can you bring to our company?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and how they can benefit their company. Before you answer, think about what makes you unique as a candidate. Consider the following example:

Example: “I have five years of experience teaching in public schools, but I am also an expert in online learning environments. In my previous position, I developed a curriculum that helped students with special needs reach their full potential. This is something I would love to do for your school district because I know it’s important to provide all students with equal opportunities.”

20. Explain the importance of developing an instructional plan.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to plan and organize a lesson. Use examples from past experiences to explain how you developed an instructional plan, the steps involved in creating one and why it’s important for students to have a structured learning environment.

Example: “I believe that developing an instructional plan is essential when teaching because it helps me prepare for each class period by organizing my thoughts and ensuring I cover all of the necessary material. In my last position, I would begin each day with a brief overview of what we were going to learn during the day and then break down the information into smaller chunks so I could teach concepts more thoroughly.”