20 KIPP Schools Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to preparing for a job interview, it is always important to be aware of the specific company you are interviewing with. This is especially true for KIPP Schools, as they have their own unique set of values and expectations. In order to help you better prepare for your interview with KIPP Schools, we have compiled a list of potential interview questions that you may be asked. While we cannot guarantee that you will be asked these exact questions, they will give you a good idea of the types of questions you may be asked. With this knowledge, you can then better prepare your answers and make a great impression on your potential employer.

KIPP Schools Interview Process

The interview process at KIPP Schools can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. The in-person interview may include a tour of the school, a demo lesson, and meeting with school staff. Overall, the interview process is fairly long and detailed.

1. How would your students describe you?

This question is a great way to learn more about your interviewer and their expectations for the position. It also gives you an opportunity to show how you can positively impact students’ lives.

Example: “I think my students would describe me as someone who cares deeply about them, wants them to succeed in life and has high expectations for them. I believe that if we set clear goals and standards for our students, they will rise to meet those challenges. I want to help create a culture of excellence at KIPP schools where every student feels supported and challenged.”

2. What is an area of your teaching that you want to improve on and how do you plan on doing it?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are committed to self-improvement and development. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of teaching that you have been working on improving for some time now or something new that you would like to learn more about.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my classroom management skills. I find that the best way to do this is by observing other teachers who have excellent classroom management strategies in place. I also try to implement these strategies into my own lessons and practice them with my students.”

3. Why did you choose KIPP Schools over other schools in the area?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your interest in working for KIPP Schools. It can also give them insight into what you value about their organization and how it compares to other schools in the area. When answering this question, consider highlighting aspects of the school that are important to you or that you feel make it unique.

Example: “I chose KIPP Schools over other local options because I was drawn to its mission of providing students with an excellent education while instilling values like hard work, perseverance and kindness. I believe these values are essential to helping students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.”

4. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for your students.

This question is a great way to show your passion for teaching and helping students succeed. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a specific time when you helped a student overcome an obstacle or challenge in their learning.

Example: “When I was working as a teacher’s aide at my local elementary school, one of the teachers asked me to help with a group of students who were struggling with reading comprehension. She gave me some strategies that she used to teach these skills, and we worked together on a few lessons each week. After a few weeks, I noticed that many of the students’ grades had improved significantly. I felt so proud of myself for being able to help them learn.”

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

KIPP schools are committed to providing a high-quality education for all students, regardless of their background. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with diverse groups of children and how you can help them succeed in school. In your answer, try to explain what motivated you to work with these types of students and highlight any specific skills or experiences that helped you support them.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of students throughout my career, including those who speak English as a second language, have learning disabilities or behavioral issues and those from low-income families. I find it very rewarding to be able to provide these students with the tools they need to succeed in school and life. Throughout my time at my previous job, I developed several strategies to help me better understand and communicate with these students.”

6. Give us an example of a lesson plan you created.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. To answer, think of a time when you created a lesson plan for a class or group. Explain what the goal was and how you developed the plan to achieve that goal.

Example: “In my previous position as an English teacher, I had to create lesson plans for each day of the week. Each week, I would meet with my team to discuss our goals for the week and develop ideas for activities we could do in class to help students learn. We also discussed ways to assess student learning so we could adjust our curriculum if needed.”

7. Describe your classroom management style.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you would manage a classroom of students. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the methods you use to keep students focused on their work and engaged in learning.

Example: “I believe that positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to encourage good behavior and help students feel confident in themselves. I try to make sure my students know they are doing well by giving them verbal praise when they do something right or complete an assignment. I also find that having clear expectations for what students should be able to accomplish helps them stay focused and motivated.”

8. What are some goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year, and what was the outcome?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your teaching style and how you approach goals. Use examples from previous years to show that you’re organized, goal-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “At the beginning of each school year, I set some personal goals for myself as well as professional ones for my students. For example, last year I wanted all of my students to be able to read at least one grade level by the end of the school year. By the time summer break rolled around, every single student had met or exceeded their reading levels.”

9. Have you ever had issues communicating with parents or guardians? If so, how did you handle it?

KIPP schools and the KIPP Foundation want to know that you can communicate effectively with parents, guardians or other family members. This is an important part of your job as a teacher because it helps build relationships with students’ families and lets them know how their child is doing in school.

Example: “I have had issues communicating with parents before, but I always make sure to keep my communication open and honest. If there’s something going on with a student, I let the parent know right away so they can be involved in helping their child. For example, if a student isn’t turning in homework, I’ll call the parent and explain what we’re doing to help the situation.”

10. What is one thing you would change about the current education system?

This question can help interviewers understand your views on the current education system and how you would improve it. When answering this question, consider what is most important to you in a school environment and explain why.

Example: “I think one thing I would change about the current education system is the way we test students. I believe that standardized testing should be used as a tool for teachers to assess their students’ progress rather than being the only measure of student success. This would allow teachers to use more creative methods of assessment and give them more freedom to teach.”

11. What are three strengths and weaknesses as a teacher?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know what your strengths are so they can help you develop them further and understand how you view weaknesses. When answering this question, think about the skills that have helped you succeed as a teacher and highlight those.

Example: “I am an organized person who always arrives early for work and stays late when necessary. I also enjoy working with students of all ages and abilities. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed by large projects or tasks. To overcome this, I make sure to plan ahead and set small goals throughout the day.”

12. How often do you communicate with parents/guardians?

KIPP schools and the KIPP Foundation value parent involvement in their students’ education. They want to know that you will communicate with parents regularly about their child’s progress, behavior, attendance and other important information.

Example: “I make it a point to communicate with parents at least once per month. I send out monthly newsletters with updates on our school community, upcoming events and student achievements. In addition, I hold weekly parent-teacher conferences where I discuss each student’s academic performance, behavioral issues and any concerns they may have.”

13. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

KIPP schools are known for their high-energy, fast-paced learning environments. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working in a busy environment and that you can keep up with the pace of the school. In your answer, explain why you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and how you stay organized and focused when things get hectic.

Example: “I love working in a fast-paced environment because it keeps me on my toes and helps me stay productive throughout the day. I’m used to keeping track of many tasks at once, so I feel confident that I could handle the demands of this position. I also have excellent time management skills, which help me prioritize my work and meet deadlines.”

14. What methods do you use to keep track of attendance, grades, etc.?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your organizational skills and how you keep track of important information. Use examples from past experience to show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I use Google Sheets for all my organization needs. I find it easy to use and share with other teachers when needed. It’s also free, which is great because many schools don’t have the budget for more expensive programs.”

15. Give an example of a goal you reached and tell us how you achieved it.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are goal-oriented and have the ability to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about how you reached your goals.

Example: “When I was in high school, my goal was to get into an Ivy League college. To do so, I knew I needed to maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. In order to reach this goal, I made sure to study for every test and assignment, and I took advantage of extra credit opportunities when possible. This strategy helped me earn a 4.0 GPA all four years of high school.”

16. Tell us why you chose to become a teacher.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s passion for teaching and their commitment to students. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any personal experiences that led you to your career choice, or they might want to know what inspired you to become a teacher.

Example: “I chose to become a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in my community. When I was younger, I had an amazing teacher who made learning fun and exciting. She always went above and beyond to help her students succeed, and she inspired me to do the same. I love seeing the excitement on my students’ faces when they understand something new, and I feel like I can be a positive influence in their lives.”

17. How does your background work with our mission?

KIPP schools are committed to providing a quality education for students from low-income backgrounds. They want to know that you understand their mission and how your background can help them achieve it. When answering this question, make sure to highlight the skills or experiences you have that will be useful in helping KIPP schools reach their goals.

Example: “I believe that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socioeconomic status. I am passionate about making sure all children get the tools they need to succeed in life. My experience working with underprivileged youth has given me valuable insight into what kids need to learn and develop so they can overcome obstacles and challenges.”

18. What would you do if two of your students were getting into a fight in class?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation in the classroom. When answering, it can be helpful to describe what steps you would take to diffuse the conflict and ensure that all students are safe and learning.

Example: “If two of my students were getting into a fight in class, I would first make sure they were safe by separating them from each other. Then, I would talk with both students individually to find out what happened and why. If one student was bullying another, I would speak with their parents about the incident and develop an action plan for preventing future conflicts.”

19. In which areas do you need professional development?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your self-awareness and how you plan to grow as a teacher. In your answer, try to identify areas where you feel you need improvement or development. You can also mention any steps you’ve already taken to improve in these areas.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my classroom management skills. I have attended several workshops on classroom management techniques that help me keep students engaged and focused during lessons. I find that practicing these techniques with my own students helps me remember the best methods.”

20. Tell us about a time where you struggled to get through to a student but eventually succeeded, how did you do it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with students who may be struggling. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a specific example of how you helped the student overcome their challenges or obstacles.

Example: “I once had a student who was having trouble focusing in class. He would often get distracted by other students talking around him, which made it difficult for him to pay attention. I noticed that he was also very shy, so I decided to try something different. I asked if he wanted to sit next to me at lunch, and he agreed. We talked about his favorite subjects and what he liked to do after school. After spending more time getting to know each other, he started asking questions during class and participating more.”