Finding a position that is your career dream may be very difficult in this economy right now. With the budget crisis at the national, state, local community and district levels, districts are cutting teaching positions in order to balance their budgets.
For candidates looking for positions, the search can be very discouraging. Here are some tips to continue to remain upbeat and still pursue your career dream:
1. Get into subbing. When you are subbing you develop relationships with teachers and students in the school.
2. Take a maternity leave. Taking a maternity leave for a teacher for 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or a semester, can be an open door for future positions. Your team will get to know you, you can get involved in the school, get to know the students and the parents.
3. Find a way to volunteer in the school. Ask if you can help out on the school improvement plan, a committee, volunteer coach or help on an activity, like the speech team.
4. Have your resume and application ready to adapt to newly posted positions. This way as the positions are posted you can quickly adapt and apply. Remember to add your subbing, maternity leaves and volunteer work!!!
Don't give up your dream to teach!!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Answering Questions in an Interview
Responding to questions in an interview can be nerve racking!!! No matter how much you prepare with sample questions, you are always to be sure to be asked a question that you never have heard of!! What do you do then? Or how do I answer questions about practices, when I just finished student teaching and have not had my own classroom?
1. You should respond to questions in an interview with answers that will reflect the practices that YOU want to put into place in your own classroom or setting. Do not answer questions with, "when I was student teaching, my supervising teacher did...." or "in the classroom that student taught in, we used this behavior management system." Review how YOU will set up your classroom management system, how YOU will create a balance literacy program in your classroom, how YOU will set up labs in middle school science and how YOU will assess students in U.S. History.
2. It you are unclear of the question being asked, ask for clarification, rather than answering in a vague manner or misunderstanding the question being asked.
3. Know your audience -- if you are in a group interview with principals, teachers, and parents, be sure that you are able to address the question for a variety of the audience.
1. You should respond to questions in an interview with answers that will reflect the practices that YOU want to put into place in your own classroom or setting. Do not answer questions with, "when I was student teaching, my supervising teacher did...." or "in the classroom that student taught in, we used this behavior management system." Review how YOU will set up your classroom management system, how YOU will create a balance literacy program in your classroom, how YOU will set up labs in middle school science and how YOU will assess students in U.S. History.
2. It you are unclear of the question being asked, ask for clarification, rather than answering in a vague manner or misunderstanding the question being asked.
3. Know your audience -- if you are in a group interview with principals, teachers, and parents, be sure that you are able to address the question for a variety of the audience.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Social Networking-- Use Carefully!! But It Can Be Helpful!
The benefits of social networking when searching for a teaching or administrative position can be HUGE!! You may have used social networking to reconnect with old friends and to keep updated on friends and family. So why not try to use social networking to find a teaching position?!
If you are not yet on Linked In, you need to get an account set up and get your profile out there! Linked In is a great way to network and get your name out there! Nearly one million teachers are on Linked In. There are various groups that you can join on Linked In that can provide contacts for you. When sharing your information, include your full name, educational background, recognitions, projects you have worked on, interests, strengths and any other information that will perk the interests of the employer.
When using social networking, teacher candidates need to make sure that your information is presented in a professional manner. Information that you post is critical too; you want to make sure that nothing slips through that can show you in a questionable manner. Remember that most employers are now googling prospective candidates and checking out your Facebook page.
Twitter can also be used to network with people who may have positions available. Some districts have Facebook and Twitter pages that you can check out!!
Good Luck!!!
If you are not yet on Linked In, you need to get an account set up and get your profile out there! Linked In is a great way to network and get your name out there! Nearly one million teachers are on Linked In. There are various groups that you can join on Linked In that can provide contacts for you. When sharing your information, include your full name, educational background, recognitions, projects you have worked on, interests, strengths and any other information that will perk the interests of the employer.
When using social networking, teacher candidates need to make sure that your information is presented in a professional manner. Information that you post is critical too; you want to make sure that nothing slips through that can show you in a questionable manner. Remember that most employers are now googling prospective candidates and checking out your Facebook page.
Twitter can also be used to network with people who may have positions available. Some districts have Facebook and Twitter pages that you can check out!!
Good Luck!!!
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