BASIS.ed Teacher Interview Questions
& Process

So, the BASIS interview process to me, it just shows how they are first a business and second a way to tank public schools. If you have a certification, please don't go to charter schools. They are cherry-picking high-achieving students, paying their staff the lowest possible salaries, and because their students are hardworking and come from families who will support their educational journeys -- the school gets recognition. If these students were at their local public schools, they would boost their peers, more programming would be available at the schools, and of course, the test scores and other success measures would increase. First, I spoke to a recruiter over the phone who clearly had no education background. This isn't a deal breaker, just something that felt a little jarring. Second, I had a laid back in-person interview at the school with the Head of School, Operations, and the Supervisor for Elementary. Finally, I did a lesson with the students. The students were absolutely wonderful and frankly, this made me really sad to think that none of them were being educated by certified educators. It feels like a scam to the students and the parents. My lesson was well planned, the students did great, and I got positive feedback from everyone. At exactly 4pm at the end of the week, I get a cold email from the initial recruiter that just states that I wasn't chosen. I emailed back thanking them for the opportunity but also asking for any possible feedback because I was really surprised. I later talked to someone who knows how Basis runs and they said I would be "too expensive" due to my experience and educational background.

It began with a brief phone chat to gauge your fit with the school's system. Then, there was a demo lesson, a 20-minute teach for the students who then evaluate you, followed by a 20-minute interview with the administration. The lesson was assessed by about six teachers and administrators. Next, there was an interview with the campus principal. To prepare new hires, there's an intensive 3-week summer training on their curriculum.

So I had a phone interview, which was basically just going over my resume, and then I went in person to talk with the headmaster. The first call was mostly about my past teaching and any other jobs I've had and if they mattered for teaching. The in-person meeting was more about my motivation for teaching, my specific ways of teaching, and how I'd handle different scenarios.