20 YES Prep Public Schools Interview Questions and Answers

YES Prep is a network of public charter schools serving low-income students in Houston, Texas. The mission of YES Prep is to prepare students for success in college and in life.

If you’re interviewing for a position at YES Prep, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience working with low-income students, your teaching philosophy, and your knowledge of the YES Prep curriculum. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample YES Prep interview questions and answers.

YES Prep Public Schools Interview Process

The interview process at YES Prep Public Schools can be lengthy, and may include multiple stages. In some cases, applicants are asked to complete a written assignment or give a presentation as part of the interview process. The difficulty of the interview process varies depending on the position being applied for, but in general, the interviews are designed to assess an applicant’s skills, knowledge, and fit for the position.

1. Why do you want to teach at YES Prep?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for teaching. They want to know that you are committed to helping students succeed and understand why this particular school is a good fit for you. Your answer should include specific details about what drew you to YES Prep, such as its mission statement or unique programs.

Example: “I have always been passionate about education and believe that every child deserves access to quality learning opportunities. I was drawn to YES Prep because of its commitment to providing underserved communities with high-quality public schools. I am excited to be part of a team that works hard to ensure all students receive an excellent education.”

2. What is your teaching philosophy?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your teaching style and how you plan lessons. It’s important to be honest about your philosophy, but it can also be helpful to include a few specific examples of how you’ve applied it in the classroom.

Example: “My teaching philosophy is that every student deserves to feel safe and supported while they learn. I believe that students are more likely to succeed when they’re comfortable and confident in their learning environment. To create this kind of atmosphere in my classroom, I make sure to establish clear rules and expectations for behavior and provide plenty of positive reinforcement for good work.”

3. How would you handle a student who was talking back or being disruptive in class?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations with students. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you handled this type of behavior and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my experience as an educator, I have had several students who talked back or were disruptive in class. In these situations, I try to remain calm and focus on redirecting the student’s attention back to me so that they are able to hear what I am saying. If the disruption continues, I will ask them to leave the classroom for a brief period of time until they are ready to return.”

4. How would you approach creating lesson plans for an English class?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your teaching methods and how you plan out lessons. Use examples from past experiences in which you developed lesson plans for classes, including the steps you took to create them and the results of your efforts.

Example: “I would first look at the curriculum requirements set by the state or district I was working in. Then, I would review my students’ previous work and assessments to determine what they already know about the subject matter. From there, I would develop a list of objectives that I wanted to cover during the class period and then break those objectives down into smaller tasks. Finally, I would create an outline for each day’s lesson plan.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision as a teacher, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle stressful situations and make decisions. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure and commitment to making the best decision for students.

Example: “In my first year as a teacher, I had a student who was struggling with math. The student would often miss class or arrive late, which made it difficult for them to keep up with their classmates. After talking with the student about their absences, they told me that they were having trouble at home and needed to leave school early sometimes to take care of younger siblings.

I decided to allow the student to leave early on occasion so they could go home and take care of their siblings. This allowed them to stay in class longer during the day and learn more, while also taking care of their family.”

6. What are some of the challenges that you think teachers face today?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the teaching profession and how you might approach challenges that arise in the classroom. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific challenge that you have faced as a teacher and how you overcame it or plan to overcome it.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges teachers face today is keeping students engaged in their learning. With so many distractions available online, it’s important for teachers to find ways to make lessons interesting and relevant to students’ lives. I try to do this by incorporating current events into my curriculum and making sure that I am always prepared with materials and activities that will keep students interested.”

7. Describe your experience with special education students.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with students who have special needs. Special education students often require a lot of attention and support, so the interviewer may want to know how you’ve handled these situations in the past. Use examples from your previous work experience or discuss what you would do if you had no prior experience.

Example: “I worked as an after-school tutor for two years at a local elementary school where I helped special education students with their homework assignments. The students I tutored were all different ages, so I learned how to adapt my teaching style to meet their individual needs. For example, some students needed help reading while others struggled with math concepts. I also used visual aids like flashcards and games to keep them engaged.”

8. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Interviewers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can see how you will be an asset to the school, but they also want to understand any areas of improvement that you may need help with. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths while being honest about your weaknesses.

Example: “My greatest strength would have to be my ability to work well under pressure. I am always prepared for whatever comes my way, and I feel like I thrive when there is a lot going on. My weakness would probably be my patience. Sometimes I get excited or anxious about something, and I find myself wanting to rush through things. I’m working on learning to take deep breaths and calm myself down before taking action.”

9. How would you deal with parents who were unhappy with their child’s performance?

As a teacher, you may encounter parents who are unhappy with their child’s performance. This question helps the interviewer assess your conflict resolution skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with parents. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to resolve conflicts with parents while maintaining good communication.

Example: “I have had several instances in my teaching career where I’ve encountered upset parents. In these situations, I try to remain calm and listen to what they have to say. I explain that I understand how important it is for students to succeed and assure them that I am doing everything I can to help their child learn. If there is an issue with their child’s progress, I offer to meet with them after school or during lunch to discuss strategies to improve their grades.”

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

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to work in a high-pressure environment. This is especially important for positions that require you to meet deadlines or complete tasks quickly. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you are comfortable working under pressure and can handle multiple projects at once.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. At my previous job, I was responsible for managing several social media accounts while also creating content. I often had to post new content daily, so I got used to working quickly. I think I would be a great fit for this position because of my experience with multitasking.”

11. Have you ever worked on a team project before?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your teamwork skills. Teamwork is an important skill to have in this role, so it’s helpful if you’ve had experience working on a team before. If you haven’t worked on a team project before, consider describing a time when you helped someone else with their work or completed a task by yourself.

Example: “I have worked on several group projects throughout my academic career. In high school, I was part of a robotics club where we would meet once a week and discuss our progress on building a robot. We also met up at competitions to test out our robots. At college, I was part of a marketing class that required us to complete a group project. My group and I created a social media campaign for a local business.”

12. 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 students from different backgrounds. If you have worked with diverse groups of children in the past, share a story that highlights how you helped them work together and achieve their goals.

Example: “In my previous role as an elementary school teacher, I had a class of 20 students who came from many different backgrounds. Some were first-generation Americans while others spoke English as a second language. To help these students feel comfortable and confident in our classroom, I created small groups based on similar interests so they could get to know each other better. This strategy helped me create a safe learning environment where all students felt welcome.”

13. What types of activities would you incorporate into your lesson plan?

The interviewer wants to know how you plan your lessons and what types of activities you use. Use examples from previous teaching experiences that show the interviewer you can create engaging lesson plans for students.

Example: “I believe in using a variety of methods to teach concepts, including hands-on learning, group projects and individual assignments. I also like to incorporate technology into my lessons as much as possible because it’s an effective way to engage students and provide them with real-world applications of the material we’re studying. For example, when I taught math last year, I used Khan Academy to help students learn basic arithmetic skills and then applied those same principles to real-life situations by having them play games on their phones.”

14. If a parent came to complain about something you said to their child, what would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your conflict resolution skills. It’s important for teachers to be able to diffuse situations with parents and students, so it’s helpful if you can provide a specific example of how you’ve done this in the past.

Example: “I would first apologize to the parent for upsetting their child or making them uncomfortable. Then I would ask what they were upset about and listen to their concerns without interrupting. After that, I would explain my side of the story and try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

15. What type of training have you received related to ESL/ELL?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your background in teaching English as a second language or English language learners. If you have not received formal training, you can describe the steps you took to learn how to teach students who speak other languages or are learning English.

Example: “I’ve taken several courses on ESL/ELL instruction at my university and I also completed an internship where I worked with ELL students. During that time, I learned how to use visual aids and games to help students understand new concepts. I also learned how to communicate with parents so they understood what their child was learning.”

16. What type of classroom management style do you use?

The interviewer wants to know how you plan and execute lessons, as well as how you keep students focused on the material. Your answer should show that you can manage a classroom effectively while also keeping students engaged in learning.

Example: “I use a combination of positive reinforcement and consequences for misbehavior. I find that this method is most effective because it allows me to reward good behavior while still maintaining order in the classroom. For example, if a student raises their hand to answer a question, I’ll give them extra credit points toward their grade. If they don’t raise their hand, however, I’ll take away those points. This helps students learn what’s expected of them without making them feel like they’re being punished.”

17. Would you be open to undergoing additional training if needed?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your willingness to learn new skills and adapt to the school’s culture. Answer honestly, but also highlight how you enjoy learning new things and developing professionally.

Example: “I am always open to training that can help me better serve students. I have taken several online courses in my previous role as a teacher, including one on classroom management techniques and another on teaching strategies for English language learners. These courses helped me understand different ways of reaching students and gave me more confidence in my teaching abilities.”

18. What is one thing you can’t live without?

This question is a great way to learn more about your interviewers and their interests. It’s also an opportunity for you to show off your sense of humor or creativity. If you’re not sure what the interviewer likes, it’s best to choose something that everyone can relate to, like coffee or music.

Example: “I can’t live without my phone. I use it for everything from taking notes in class to checking social media. I’m always looking at it, so if I lost it, I’d be devastated.”

19. What is your biggest accomplishment as a teacher so far?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your passion for teaching and how you can make a positive impact on students’ lives. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight something that shows your dedication to helping students learn and grow.

Example: “My biggest accomplishment as a teacher so far was when I had my first class of seniors who were ready to take their AP exams. It took them four years to get there, but they all passed with flying colors. This made me feel like I did my job well because I helped these students develop skills and knowledge that prepared them for college-level work.”

20. What does it mean to you to be a leader in the classroom?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you can use them in the classroom. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you were a leader in a situation that helped others or improved something.

Example: “Being a leader means being someone who can help other people succeed. I believe that as a teacher, my job is to make sure all of my students are learning and understanding the material. If one student doesn’t understand something, then I need to find a way to explain it better so they can learn. Being a leader also means taking initiative and making decisions on behalf of the class.”