KIPP MA Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process started with an online application, then a video interview, followed by a group interview day. This group day involved taking a 4th grade MCAS test (reading, writing, and math), doing a mock reading circle, and having 5-minute speed-dating style interviews. After that, there were reference checks, and then a surprise impromptu phone interview. It took quite a while (2.5 weeks) to hear back that I didn't get the job. I thought this was unprofessional because there were long gaps between steps. Also, the last interview, the impromptu phone call, wasn't announced beforehand and I didn't know it would be with multiple people. My overall interview experience was neutral, but I think they need to simplify their process because it's confusing and lacks a clear flow, even though they show a timeline on their website. They didn't stick to their own timeline and did things out of order. Three days after getting rejected, I got a link to a survey about improving their process, and the last question asked me to refer another teacher, which I found absurd given they just rejected me and didn't bother to ask for my help recruiting. It shows KIPP doesn't really get how to interact with people.

Had a phone interview with some general questions. Then got invited for a Fellow interview day at the school. Before that, I had some readings to do. I got to check out the school and meet people before the actual process. I watched a video and could ask stuff about the organization. The building head gave me some coaching, and I had to get ready and teach a short sample lesson to the leaders and staff (who were pretending to be kids). After they gave me feedback, I had to teach it again. We had a group discussion about the readings on equity, race, and class in education. I also had to do a written assignment: take a 4th-grade test and write about what kids need to know to do it. Finally, I had two one-on-one interviews with building leaders where they asked questions like how I handled mistakes, frustration, and tough situations.

The interview process was really long. I was initially contacted by a recruiter for a teaching job, but during the first 45-minute interview, they told me I was being considered for a fellow position instead. About a week later, I had an in-person interview with the school leaders and a teacher. On that day, I had to take a one-hour exam, prepare a mock lesson plan beforehand, and then have short 10-15 minute interviews with each person. The whole morning, which was supposed to be 3 hours, went really well and everyone was super nice. I felt really comfortable. They said I'd hear back in two weeks, and I did, but a week later they told me they didn't want to move forward with me.

Had a phone interview first, with basic questions. Then got called in for an all-day in-person interview. Met with a finance person, the assistant principal, the principal, and the recruiter. Also got an hour to walk around the building alone and check out classrooms. Overall, I felt the interview was pretty straightforward. The principal said he was really impressed and would let me know within a week. I got the vibe though that things were kind of disorganized because a lot of the leadership were new, and some who had left were there for less than a year. Never heard back from them. I sent a few polite emails to the principal and recruiter to follow up and got no response. It's been months now. Still not sure what happened, but it just confirms my impression that they are disorganized.