How to Apply to Thinkacademyus

Key Takeaways

Study Think Academy's math enrichment approach before applying — watch their free content, understand their pedagogical philosophy, and reference specific elements in your application and interviews to show you've done genuine research
Prepare a polished demo lesson at the grade level matching your target role, incorporating step-by-step logical reasoning and student engagement techniques that align with Think Academy's teaching style
Optimize your Greenhouse application by using exact terminology from Think Academy job postings — terms like 'math enrichment,' 'content development,' 'evaluation teacher,' and 'learning center' should appear naturally in your resume
Apply to roles that precisely match your grade-level experience and functional expertise rather than submitting broadly — Greenhouse tracks all applications, and targeted submissions demonstrate strategic intent
Emphasize any experience with competition math (AMC, MATHCOUNTS, Math Olympiad) or enrichment programs, as this directly aligns with Think Academy's differentiated market position
Highlight remote teaching capabilities and any cross-cultural work experience, given Think Academy's international operations spanning the US, Costa Rica, and connections to TAL Education Group's global network
After each interview round, send a specific, thoughtful follow-up email that connects your skills to Think Academy's mission — this is especially impactful in a high-volume hiring environment where differentiation matters

About Think Academy US

Think Academy US is the American arm of Think Academy, a global education technology brand under TAL Education Group — one of the world's largest edtech companies. Specializing in K-12 math enrichment and STEM education, Think Academy US delivers both online and in-person learning experiences designed to develop students' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through a rigorous, curriculum-aligned approach. The company operates physical learning centers across key US markets including the San Francisco Bay Area while also running a robust remote teaching operation spanning multiple countries, including Costa Rica. What sets Think Academy apart in the crowded edtech landscape is its research-driven pedagogy. The curriculum draws on decades of math competition and enrichment expertise, blending Eastern teaching methodologies with Western educational standards. This dual approach has fueled rapid growth, with the company currently listing over 89+ open positions — a strong signal of aggressive US market expansion. Culturally, Think Academy US combines the fast pace and ambition of a scaling edtech startup with the backing and resources of its parent organization. Employees frequently cite the mission-driven environment, collaborative teaching teams, and opportunities to shape curriculum from the ground up as key draws. Roles span education, content development, marketing, operations, and program design, making it an appealing destination not only for educators but also for professionals passionate about transforming how children learn math. If you thrive in a high-growth, impact-oriented environment where education meets technology, Think Academy US offers a distinctive career path.

Application Process

1
Explore Open Roles on Think Academy's Greenhouse Job Board
Visit Think Academy US's careers page, which is powered by Greenhouse. With over 114 active listings spanning teaching, operations, marketing, and content development, take time to filter by department, location (including remote options in Costa Rica and other regions), and role type. Read each job description carefully — Think Academy postings typically include specific curriculum focus areas, grade-level requirements, and whether the role is hybrid, remote, or in-person at a learning center.
2
Tailor Your Application Materials to the Specific Role
Think Academy US hires across very different functional areas — a Math Content Teacher application will look radically different from a Digital Advertising Specialist application. For teaching roles, emphasize your math subject expertise, grade-level experience, and any familiarity with enrichment or competition-style math curricula. For operations and marketing roles, highlight metrics-driven results and experience in fast-growth or edtech environments.
3
Submit Your Application Through Greenhouse
Complete every field in the Greenhouse application form, including any custom questions Think Academy has added — these often ask about your teaching philosophy, availability for specific time zones, or experience with particular student age groups. Upload your resume in a clean, ATS-parseable format. Some roles may request a cover letter or portfolio; always provide these when the option appears, as it signals genuine interest.
4
Complete Any Screening Assessments or Demo Tasks
For teaching and content roles, Think Academy commonly requires a demo lesson or content sample as part of the screening process. This might involve preparing a short math lesson for a specific grade level, solving a set of problems to demonstrate subject mastery, or submitting a sample curriculum outline. For marketing and operations positions, expect scenario-based questions or a skills assessment relevant to the role.
5
Participate in Initial Interview (Often Virtual)
Given Think Academy's distributed workforce, first-round interviews are typically conducted via video call. For teaching roles, this often doubles as a live demo lesson observed by curriculum leads. For business roles, expect a behavioral and skills-based conversation with a hiring manager or HR coordinator. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of Think Academy's educational mission and how your background aligns with their specific approach to math education.
6
Advance Through Panel or Cross-Functional Interviews
Candidates who pass the initial screen typically meet with additional stakeholders. Teachers may interview with curriculum directors and learning center managers. Operations and marketing candidates often meet with cross-functional team leads to assess collaboration fit. Think Academy values cultural alignment — expect questions about your comfort in a fast-paced, scaling environment with roots in both Eastern and Western educational traditions.
7
Receive Offer and Complete Onboarding
Offers are extended through Greenhouse, and Think Academy's onboarding commonly includes training on their proprietary curriculum platform, teaching methodologies, and internal tools. For teaching staff, onboarding frequently involves observing experienced instructors and completing content calibration exercises to ensure consistency across learning centers and online classrooms.

Resume Tips for Think Academy US

critical

Lead with Math and STEM Education Credentials

Think Academy's core business is math enrichment, so your resume should foreground any math-related teaching experience, tutoring background, math competition coaching (AMC, MATHCOUNTS, Math Olympiad), or relevant degrees in mathematics, education, or STEM fields. Even for non-teaching roles, demonstrating a genuine connection to math education signals cultural fit. Place these credentials in your summary or headline, not buried in a skills section.

critical

Specify Grade Levels and Student Age Groups

Think Academy differentiates roles by grade band — elementary, middle school, and secondary. Your resume must clearly state which student populations you've served. Instead of writing 'Taught math to students,' write 'Designed and delivered enrichment-level math instruction to grades 3-5 (ages 8-11), class sizes of 15-20.' This precision helps Greenhouse's keyword matching and helps hiring managers quickly assess your fit for specific openings.

critical

Use Think Academy's Own Terminology and Keywords

Study Think Academy job descriptions closely and mirror their language. They frequently reference terms like 'math enrichment,' 'critical thinking,' 'curriculum development,' 'content design,' 'learning center,' 'evaluation,' and 'academic accreditation.' Greenhouse relies on keyword matching during initial screening, so naturally integrating these phrases into your experience descriptions and skills section improves your visibility in the applicant pool.

recommended

Quantify Student Outcomes and Operational Impact

Think Academy is results-oriented. For teaching roles, include metrics like student score improvements, competition placement rates, student retention percentages, or class enrollment growth. For operations and marketing roles, quantify campaign ROI, customer acquisition costs, enrollment conversion rates, or operational efficiency gains. Numbers speak louder than responsibilities in this fast-growth environment.

recommended

Highlight Remote Teaching and Cross-Cultural Experience

With positions spanning the US and Costa Rica and a parent company rooted in China's education sector, Think Academy values candidates comfortable working across time zones, cultures, and modalities. If you've taught online, managed remote teams, or worked in multicultural environments, call this out explicitly. Mention specific platforms you've used (Zoom, proprietary LMS systems, interactive whiteboards) to demonstrate remote-teaching readiness.

recommended

Keep Formatting Clean for Greenhouse Parsing

Greenhouse handles standard resume formats well, but complex layouts with tables, columns, headers/footers, or graphics can cause parsing errors. Use a single-column layout with clear section headings (Education, Experience, Skills). Save as PDF unless the posting specifies otherwise. Avoid text boxes or images — if Greenhouse can't parse a field, that information effectively disappears from your candidate profile.

nice_to_have

Include Relevant Certifications and Licensure

The Academic Accreditation & Secondary Program Designer role specifically references California standards, and many teaching positions benefit from state teaching credentials. List any teaching licenses, TESOL/TEFL certifications, curriculum design credentials, or ed-tech platform certifications. If you hold a credential in a state where Think Academy operates learning centers, make it prominent — this can be a differentiating factor.

nice_to_have

Showcase EdTech and Digital Proficiency

Think Academy sits at the intersection of education and technology. Even for teaching roles, showing fluency with ed-tech tools — learning management systems, digital whiteboard software, student analytics platforms, Google Workspace for Education — signals that you'll integrate smoothly into their tech-enabled teaching environment. For marketing roles, specify platforms like Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, and analytics tools by name.

ATS System: Greenhouse

Greenhouse is a structured hiring platform that scores and routes candidates based on how well their application materials match the role's configured scorecard criteria. Think Academy US uses Greenhouse to manage their high-volume hiring across 114+ roles, meaning your application competes with a significant candidate pool and must be optimized for both automated parsing and human review.

Submit a single-column PDF resume without tables, graphics, or multi-column layouts — Greenhouse parses these cleanly and preserves your formatting for recruiter review
Mirror exact phrases from Think Academy's job descriptions (e.g., 'math enrichment,' 'curriculum development,' 'content teacher') since Greenhouse allows recruiters to search and filter by keywords
Complete every optional field in the application form, including custom questions about teaching philosophy or availability — incomplete applications rank lower in Greenhouse's candidate pipeline
Apply to specific roles rather than submitting a generic application; Greenhouse tracks each application separately, and Think Academy recruiters review candidates per-role, not across the entire company
If you're applying to multiple Think Academy positions, tailor each submission — Greenhouse shows recruiters your full application history, so consistent effort across applications reflects positively
Use standard section headers like 'Experience,' 'Education,' and 'Skills' so Greenhouse's parser correctly categorizes your information into the candidate profile
Avoid keyword stuffing — Greenhouse surfaces your full resume to human reviewers who will immediately notice artificially inflated keyword density

Complete Greenhouse Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Think Academy US's interview process reflects its identity as a mission-driven edtech company in high-growth mode.

Expect a process that is thorough but moves quickly — the company is actively scaling across teaching, operations, and marketing functions, so hiring teams are motivated to fill roles efficiently while maintaining quality. For teaching and content roles, the interview process almost always includes a demo lesson component. This is arguably the most critical stage: you'll be asked to teach a short math lesson (typically 10-20 minutes) to a panel that may include curriculum leads, senior teachers, and learning center managers. They're evaluating not just your mathematical accuracy but your pedagogical clarity, ability to engage students of a specific age group, and alignment with Think Academy's structured yet creative teaching methodology. Prepare by studying Think Academy's publicly available class samples and understanding their emphasis on logical reasoning and step-by-step problem solving. For business operations, marketing, and management roles, expect two to three rounds: an initial HR screen focused on culture fit and logistics (especially time zone availability for remote roles), followed by a functional interview with the hiring manager, and potentially a case study or practical exercise. Digital Advertising Specialists, for example, may be asked to walk through campaign strategy for student enrollment or analyze sample ad performance data. Across all roles, interviewers consistently probe for mission alignment — they want to know why you care about children's math education and how you view the role of supplementary enrichment in a student's academic journey. Think Academy's culture blends the discipline and rigor of its East Asian educational roots with the innovation and adaptability expected of a US edtech startup. Demonstrating comfort with this hybrid culture, a growth mindset, and genuine enthusiasm for making math accessible and engaging will serve you well throughout the process. Follow-up is appreciated; a concise thank-you email referencing a specific discussion point from your interview signals professionalism and continued interest.

What Think Academy US Looks For

Strong mathematical subject knowledge — for teaching roles, comfort with enrichment-level and competition-style math well beyond standard grade-level curriculum
Passion for math education and a clear articulation of why improving math learning for children matters to you personally
Experience with or adaptability to structured, research-based teaching methodologies rather than purely improvised instruction styles
Cross-cultural competency and comfort working within an organization that bridges Eastern and Western educational philosophies
Remote readiness — demonstrated ability to teach or collaborate effectively in virtual and hybrid environments across time zones
Growth-stage mentality — willingness to wear multiple hats, iterate quickly, and contribute beyond your strict job description as the company scales
Data-driven thinking — whether in the classroom (tracking student outcomes) or in operations and marketing (measuring KPIs and conversion metrics)
Clear, engaging communication skills, especially the ability to explain complex mathematical concepts in accessible, age-appropriate ways

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Think Academy US hiring process typically take?

Based on patterns common to edtech companies hiring at Think Academy's scale, the process typically takes two to four weeks from application to offer for teaching roles, and three to five weeks for operations, marketing, and management positions. The demo lesson stage for teaching candidates can sometimes extend the timeline if scheduling with curriculum reviewers is required. With 89+ open positions, hiring teams are motivated to move efficiently, but thoroughness — especially in evaluating teaching quality — takes priority over speed. Check your Greenhouse candidate portal regularly for status updates and scheduling requests.

Does Think Academy US require a cover letter?

While not always marked as mandatory in Greenhouse, submitting a tailored cover letter is strongly recommended for Think Academy applications. Use the cover letter to explain your connection to math education, your understanding of enrichment-based learning, and why Think Academy specifically appeals to you over other edtech or tutoring companies. For teaching roles, briefly describe your teaching philosophy and any experience with competition or enrichment math. For business roles, connect your professional accomplishments to Think Academy's growth objectives. A compelling cover letter helps you stand out in a large applicant pool.

What format should my resume be in for Think Academy's Greenhouse system?

Submit your resume as a single-column PDF with standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications). Greenhouse parses PDFs reliably, and this format preserves your intended layout when recruiters view your profile. Avoid using tables, text boxes, infographics, or multi-column designs, as these elements can cause parsing errors that result in missing or scrambled information in your candidate profile. Keep your file name professional — 'FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf' is ideal. If you've included a portfolio of curriculum samples or lesson plans, upload it as a separate attachment where the application allows.

How should I prepare for a Think Academy teaching demo lesson?

The demo lesson is often the most decisive part of the teaching hiring process. Choose a math topic appropriate for the grade level specified in the job posting, and structure your lesson to showcase step-by-step logical reasoning, student engagement strategies, and your ability to make abstract concepts concrete. Study Think Academy's publicly available content to understand their teaching style — they emphasize structured problem-solving progressions rather than rote memorization. Practice to time (typically 10-20 minutes), prepare to handle simulated student questions, and be ready to explain your pedagogical choices to the review panel afterward.

Can I apply to multiple positions at Think Academy US simultaneously?

Yes, Greenhouse allows you to apply to multiple roles, and Think Academy's diverse openings (spanning teaching, content, operations, and marketing) make it reasonable to submit two or three targeted applications. However, tailor each application individually — Greenhouse shows recruiters your full application history within the company, so submitting identical materials to very different roles can appear unfocused. If you're qualified for both an Elementary Math Teacher and a Math Content Teacher position, customize your resume and responses to address the distinct requirements of each role.

Does Think Academy US offer remote positions?

Yes, Think Academy US actively hires for remote roles, including positions based in Costa Rica and remote teaching roles servicing US students. The '[Costa Rica] Remote Math Teacher' listing is one example of their international remote hiring. Remote roles typically require reliable high-speed internet, a professional teaching setup (camera, microphone, digital whiteboard or tablet), and availability during specific time windows aligned with US student schedules. During your application, be explicit about your time zone, home teaching setup, and any previous remote instruction experience to strengthen your candidacy.

What level of math expertise does Think Academy expect from teaching candidates?

Think Academy's math enrichment focus means teaching candidates need subject knowledge that extends beyond standard grade-level curriculum. For elementary positions, you should be comfortable with challenging problem-solving, logical reasoning puzzles, and early competition-math concepts. For secondary roles, familiarity with AMC, MATHCOUNTS, or Math Olympiad-level content is a significant advantage. Even if you're applying for a role labeled 'Elementary Math Teacher,' expect the bar to be higher than a typical school teaching position. Your application should demonstrate both pedagogical skill and genuine mathematical depth — the combination is what Think Academy's model depends on.

What is Think Academy US's company culture like?

Think Academy US operates with the energy and pace of a fast-growing edtech startup, backed by the resources and established methodology of TAL Education Group, one of the world's largest education companies. The culture blends Eastern educational values — discipline, rigor, structured curriculum — with Western innovation and adaptability. Team members commonly report a collaborative, mission-driven atmosphere where educators and business professionals work closely to expand access to high-quality math instruction. Expect a flat-ish hierarchy where ideas are welcomed but execution speed is prized, and be prepared for a work environment that values continuous improvement in both teaching quality and operational efficiency.

I don't have formal teaching experience — can I still apply to Think Academy US?

Think Academy values math expertise alongside teaching skill, so candidates with strong mathematical backgrounds — such as math majors, competition math coaches, or STEM professionals — may be considered even without formal classroom credentials. Tutoring experience, mentoring, leading math clubs, or coaching competition teams can substitute for traditional teaching roles in some cases. Your demo lesson performance will carry significant weight in demonstrating your instructional potential. For non-teaching roles like Digital Advertising Specialist or Business Operations Specialist, relevant functional experience matters more than education-sector background, though passion for the edtech mission remains important.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 89 open positions at Think Academy US

Sources

Think Academy US Careers Page — Think Academy US
Think Academy US Greenhouse Job Board — Greenhouse / Think Academy US
TAL Education Group Company Overview — TAL Education Group
Think Academy US Company Reviews and Interview Insights — Glassdoor