Q&A With KIPP Employees

The office vibe is extremely difficult to manage. Most people do things without following policies or procedures which often causes us to backtrack and redo things over and over again. I revisited the same project every year due to high turnover, and lack of understanding of the process.

Most of the questions are going to center around technology in the classroom, and how it is used around pedagogy. Those can vary greatly, but in most cases, the answers they are looking for are open-ended, and they simply want to hear you continue to do everything to make things happen. They basically want to hear you say that you will do whatever it takes. When I say whatever, I really mean it. They want you to prioritize KIPP above everything else in your life. Keep that in mind when answering all of their questions.

It is an extremely long process filled with tons of fluff in an effort to weed out candidates, and get ones that fit their culture. You many have an initial discussion with someone from HR, then a phone interview, then an in person interview, then an interview with a panel of folks, before they consider you for employment.

Rigorous with multiple rounds. Expect thoughtful and challenging questions and be prepared to tell a compelling story about why you want to work at KIPP

Some coworkers are great, however the leadership is unlike any other. They have no other focus than KIPP. They spend their nights and weekends being a KIPPster, and expect their employees to embody the same aspects of employment. The average employment lifespan of a KIPP employee is 2 years.

Smart, energetic, and deeply committed to the mission of providing a great education to kids of color in disadvantaged neighborhoods

It can take a long time. They spend months reviewing resumes, then go through about 4 or 5 rounds of interviewing.

The culture is one of servitude to KIPP.

Health, & Dental mainly.

I am not excited to work there any longer, and thus the reason I left.

They churn out schools like candy, but having difficulty running them because there is no experience with the admin side of the house.

I don't think that is possible.

The CEO has change a few times over the years. It position hasn't been successfully staffed with someone with the proper skillset for some time now.

There is no work life balance. There is only KIPP.

It is dependent on need, and if you have committed to a life of servitude to KIPP.

There is no vacation per se. You use the time off at Christmas, Spring Break or Fall break for time off. Sick days are approximately 10 days. Use them or lose them.

You will be worked to death. Everything is important. Everything is last minute. There is a challenge each day to survive.

Young, single people, with little social life, and a desire to work long hours will succeed at KIPP.

Knowing someone who already works there will improve your chances. Talk with them about challenges, and see if you are willing to work on those.

There is no job security at KIPP. They will drop you very quickly if need be. They tend to hire more teachers than they actually need each year, which ends up being a reduction in staff due to poor forecasting of student enrollment each year.

Christmas Break, Spring Break, Fall Break. Those are the best parts.

It isn't a place. its a half day sprint, and when I say half day, I mean half of 24 hours is 12 hours.

Raises happen, but rarely.

I left the place, it became toxic.

There is no social life with KIPP. It's KIPP and nothing else.

Most team outings are drinking parties. The largest one the KIPP school Summit commences with a huge party of drunks and hookups. This is a young crowd, most are single.

People are constantly backstabbing each other to cover their own selves. Feedback is used to place blame on other groups, rather than finding solutions.