20 Think Together Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a position at Think Together, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, be prepared to discuss your experience working with children and families. The interviewer will want to know how you have helped children in the past and what kind of impact you have made in their lives. Secondly, be ready to talk about your educational background and how it has prepared you to work in an after-school or early learning setting. Finally, be prepared to talk about your goals for working at Think Together and how you plan to contribute to our organization. By keeping these things in mind, you will be sure to impress your interviewer and land the job you want!

Think Together Interview Process

The interview process at Think Together can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Program Leader, you may only have one interview that lasts around 30 minutes. For other positions, like Site Coordinator, you may have multiple interviews that last up to an hour each. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. Some positions, like Data Intern, may only require a phone screen, while others, like Teacher, may require a pre-employment test. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with many reviewers finding the staff to be friendly and helpful.

1. What do you think is the most important quality for an after school program leader to have?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality fits with Think Together’s culture. Use this opportunity to share what you value in an after school program leader, such as creativity, communication skills or problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for an after school program leader is patience. I’ve worked with many students who have different learning styles and personalities, so it’s important that I’m able to understand each student and their unique needs. Patience also helps me when working with parents because I can explain why we’re doing certain activities or teaching concepts in specific ways.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to make quick decisions without consulting your supervisor. How did that turn out?

Think Together wants to know that you can make independent decisions and solve problems on your own. This is a great opportunity to show how you’ve developed critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and communication skills.

Example: “When I was working as an after school teacher at the elementary level, my supervisor had to leave early one day due to a family emergency. The students were in the middle of their math lesson when she left, so I took over for her until another staff member could arrive. It turned out that the other teacher didn’t have any materials with them, so I used some of our flashcards to help explain the concept. The kids seemed to understand it well, and we continued the rest of the lesson without any issues.”

3. Describe your experience with curriculum development and implementation.

Think Together’s programs are designed to help students develop critical thinking skills and prepare them for future academic success. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have experience with curriculum development and implementation, as well as how it can benefit students’ learning experiences.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for developing a new math program for elementary school students. The goal of this project was to create an engaging curriculum that would teach students basic math concepts in a way they could understand and apply. We used research-based methods to design our lessons and implemented them into the classroom setting. As a result, we saw significant improvements in student test scores.”

4. How would you handle a child who was misbehaving in the classroom?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations and the steps you take to resolve them. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you handled misbehavior effectively.

Example: “In my previous role as an after school teacher, I had a student who was very disruptive during class time. At first, I tried to ignore his behavior, but when he continued to disrupt others, I asked him to step out of the classroom for a few minutes so we could talk privately. Once we were alone, I explained that his actions were distracting other students and preventing them from learning. He apologized and promised to behave better. After returning to the classroom, I gave him extra attention and praise to reinforce good behavior.”

5. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on a few strengths that relate to the job description or the role you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who is always prepared. I have a knack for finding solutions to problems and enjoy helping others solve issues. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on solving a problem that I forget to take care of myself. I’ve learned to balance my work life with my personal life by setting aside time each day to relax.”

6. Give us an example of how you were able to build rapport with students’ parents.

When working with students, it’s important to have a good relationship with their parents. This helps you communicate effectively and ensures that the parents are involved in their child’s education. When answering this question, try to think of an example where you were able to build rapport with a parent or guardian.

Example: “When I first started teaching, I had a student who was struggling in my class. The student’s parents didn’t understand why they weren’t performing well in school. I met with them after school one day to explain how we could help their son improve his grades. We came up with a plan together so that he could get back on track. He ended up passing my class.”

7. Why are you interested in working at Think Together?

Think Together is a unique organization that offers many opportunities for growth and development. Employers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and understand what makes it special. When answering, make sure to mention two or three things about Think Together that interest you.

Example: “I am interested in working at Think Together because of its mission to provide children with high-quality education programs. I believe that every child deserves access to these types of resources, which is why I became an educator. I also love how Think Together has been able to grow into such a large organization while still maintaining its family culture. I would love to be part of a team that works together to achieve great things.”

8. What would be your approach to making sure a student understands material they are struggling with?

Think Together wants to know that you have a plan for helping students who are struggling with material. You can use this question as an opportunity to show your creativity and problem-solving skills by describing how you would help the student understand the material in a way they could relate to it.

Example: “I would first ask them what they already know about the subject, so I can make sure we’re building on their existing knowledge. Then, I would find ways to explain the information in different ways until they understood it. If they still don’t understand after that, I would try to find other resources or people who could help.”

9. Do you have any experience teaching children between grades K-12?

Think Together offers a variety of programs for students in grades K-12. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with this age group and how your previous experiences can help you succeed at Think Together.

Example: “I’ve worked as an elementary school teacher for the past five years, so I’m familiar with teaching children between kindergarten and fifth grade. However, I also have experience tutoring high school students who need extra help with their studies. This has given me valuable insight into what students are learning in each grade and how they can apply that knowledge to real-world situations.”

10. We want our leaders to work independently, but we also like them to check-in on occasion. Is this something that you are comfortable with?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable the candidate is with working independently and when they should reach out for help. It also helps you understand their communication style, which can be important in an organization that relies on teamwork.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently, but I also know it’s important to check-in with my supervisor or team leader from time to time. This allows me to get feedback on my work and ask questions if I need clarification. I find this method of working makes me more efficient because I’m able to complete tasks quickly and efficiently.”

11. How would you make sure that all members of the team feel included in the planning process?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you would ensure that all team members have a voice in the planning process. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you value input from everyone and are willing to listen to ideas from anyone on the team.

Example: “I believe it’s important for every member of the team to feel like they can contribute to the planning process. I make sure that we hold regular meetings where everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts about what is working well, what could be improved and any new ideas or suggestions they have. This helps me get feedback from everyone so that I can incorporate as many good ideas into our plans as possible.”

12. Give an example of a time where you put together a lesson plan for a large group of students.

Think Together is a company that offers after school programs and other educational services. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience planning lessons for large groups of students. Use your answer to highlight your ability to plan engaging activities for large groups of students.

Example: “In my previous role as an elementary school teacher, I had the opportunity to teach multiple classes at once. In these situations, I would create lesson plans that were age-appropriate but also challenging enough for all of the students in the class. This helped me ensure that each student was able to understand the material and complete their assignments.”

13. Are there any roles or responsibilities that you can’t perform due to physical limitations?

Think Together wants to ensure that you can perform all of the essential job functions. If there are any limitations, be honest and explain what accommodations you would make if necessary.

Example: “I have a slight hearing impairment in my left ear, but I wear a hearing aid so it’s not an issue. In fact, I find that my hearing loss makes me more observant because I’m always trying to hear people better. I also use sign language with some students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.”

14. Provide an example of a time when you taught core academic subjects outside of the traditional classroom setting.

Think Together is a unique organization that offers after school programs, enrichment activities and summer camps. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer understand your teaching style and how you can apply it in their setting.

Example: “I have experience with integrating core subjects into fun and engaging activities outside of the traditional classroom setting. For example, I once worked at an elementary school where we had a limited budget for supplies. Instead of buying new materials, I would take old items from home and repurpose them into lessons. This helped me save money while still providing students with valuable learning experiences.”

15. What would you say is your greatest strength as a teacher?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your skills and abilities as a teacher. Think about what you’re best at, or what you enjoy most about teaching.

Example: “My greatest strength as a teacher is my ability to connect with students. I have always been able to relate to kids of all ages, which makes it easy for me to build rapport with them. This helps me get through to students who are struggling in class, and motivates those who need encouragement.”

16. If hired, which position would you be interested in working in?

Think Together has a variety of positions available, and the interviewer may ask this question to determine which role you’re most qualified for. Before your interview, review the job description to see what skills are required for each position. Choose one that matches your qualifications and explain why it interests you.

Example: “I’m interested in working as an after school teacher because I love working with children. Throughout my career, I’ve developed strong communication and organization skills, and I think these would be useful when managing a classroom. I also have experience teaching math, so I feel confident that I could help students learn new concepts and develop their problem-solving skills.”

17. What type of environment do you feel you work best in?

Think Together wants to know that you are a good fit for their organization. They want employees who will thrive in the environment they provide. When answering this question, be honest about what type of work environment you prefer and why.

Example: “I feel I work best in an environment where there is plenty of collaboration between team members. I am someone who thrives on teamwork and collaboration. I find it much more effective than working alone or with only one other person. I also like environments where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and offering suggestions. I think those two things can help us achieve our goals.”

18. What kinds of things do you think are necessary to keep kids engaged during summer learning programs?

Think Together offers summer learning programs for kids in grades K-8. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this age group and what strategies you use to keep them engaged during the program.

Example: “I think it’s important to offer a variety of activities that appeal to different learning styles. For example, I’ve worked at schools where we had an art teacher who would come once a week to teach students how to draw or paint. We also had music teachers who taught students how to play instruments. These kinds of hands-on experiences help engage kids and make learning more fun.”

19. In what ways are after school programs different than traditional classrooms?

Think Together is a unique organization that offers after school programs to students in elementary, middle and high schools. Your answer should show the interviewer how you can apply your teaching skills to this type of environment.

Example: “In my experience, I’ve found that after school programs are more flexible than traditional classrooms. For example, when I was working at a public school, we had a set curriculum for each grade level. However, if a student needed extra help with a subject or wanted to learn about something outside of our normal schedule, they would have to wait until summer break. In an after school program, however, teachers can adjust their lesson plans to meet the needs of individual students.”

20. Why is it important to have high standards for yourself when working with children?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your commitment to excellence and how you apply it in the classroom. When answering, consider what standards you have for yourself as a teacher and why they’re important.

Example: “I believe that high standards are essential when working with children because they help me create an environment where students can learn and grow. I also think that having high expectations for myself helps my students develop their own self-confidence and motivation. For example, if I expect all of my students to be able to read by the end of the year, then I know I need to work hard to make sure they reach that goal. This motivates me to provide them with engaging lessons and activities.”