Tips for Applicants

Follow these guidelines to strengthen your application:

  • Do your research. Before applying, read about KIPP and KIPP LA Schools. Check out our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Your level of research is clearly evidenced in the quality of your cover letter, and it is a significant factor in our decision to request a first round interview.
  • Spend the time necessary to write a thoughtful cover letter. Both the cover letter and, for teaching candidates, the written responses should be formal, carefully drafted writing samples.
  • Provide specific information in the work experience fields. Rather than simply writing the title of your position (“First Grade Teacher”), provide detailed information about your role and responsibilities in that position, as you would in a standard resume. Feel free to use bullets. Highlight your accomplishments and expertise here. Please do not direct us to your resume.
  • References. KIPP LA requires that one of your professional references be your current supervisor. KIPP LA reserves the right to call any of your references or previous supervisors at any time.
  • Timeline. We respond to every applicant. You will typically hear from us within a reasonable amount of time if you have advanced to a first round interview.
     

Additional tips for teaching applicants:

  • Compose your written responses in advance. Our online application system does not allow you to save and return to your application. Look at the questions before you begin completing the application and set aside time to compose your responses in a separate Word document before submitting your application.
  • Prepare thoughtful responses to the essay questions. KIPP LA values detailed student achievement data; we highly recommend that you incorporate this information into your application.
  • Have your transcripts ready. Applicants will be asked to upload undergraduate and graduate transcripts. We encourage you to submit them as part of your online application; however, if you need more time to access them, the recruitment team will ask that you submit them via email later in the process. Having them on hand will greatly expedite the process.
  • Prepare a video. Applicants who advance to a school-site selection process will be asked to submit a 10-15 minute video of their teaching. Having a video already prepared and saved to YouTube, Vimeo, DemoLesson, or a DVD will significantly expedite the selection process for candidates.