Teach for America interview questions

I had a phone interview that went really well. They talked a little about the articles I was asked to read in advance. They are really looking for a positive attitude. I also got invited to the final in person interview. It consisted of a 5-minute lesson, a group activity and, later in the day, a one-on-one interview. I felt semi-confident with how I did and was surprised by how many people did not seem prepared. A few did not even come close to finishing their lesson and one finished with a minute and a half left. They give you the exact date they will be telling you their decision. I did not get an offer. I later found out one of the other candidates, who did not finish even half his lesson plan and worked awkwardly with us on the group activity, was accepted. He was a biochemistry major and had a 3.85 GPA. I had heard they like to keep their statistics up and now I would not doubt it.

First, Teach for America (TFA) will call for a phone interview, unless you have a superb resume and they will move you through to the final round. The final interview started with 5 minutes presentation of your teaching style. Then you have to read an article and argue a given side, i.e., principle wants to increase reading level by giving 5th class priority, argue why that the principle should not do this. Then there in a 1:1 interview on articles that are assigned, usually on learning gap between race and class. Then standard questions. Interview ends with a test on collecting data that prove learning or proves why breakfast leads to better learning.