Sorry I have been missing in action for a while! I decided to let my reader's choose the topic this week. I have had quite a few people ask me for advise on finding/landing a new job in eduction. With the economy the way it has been for the past couple of years, teaching jobs are rather hard to come by. Whether you are a teacher at the elementary level or college level, my advise to you it to apply for any and all jobs that look promising to you. This is probably the most redundant statement you have heard, but if you don't apply, you won't get hired.
Most preschool, elementary, and secondary teaching positions are posted (or applications are accepted) starting in February or March. Districts all have their own rules for applying, but most in my area have applicants fill out application packets that are held in the district office until an opening occurs. Then principals look through the applications and decide who should be granted an interview. From there you may need to send in more information to the specific school, or bring it to the interview. Look on the district website for specific rules and requirements for teaching jobs. But it's important to remember, these application packets are more than likely your one chance to get a principal's attention. Make sure you highlight your accomplishments and background, and have recommendations from prior teachers and administrators.
College positions are listed throughout the year. Just today I searched for college jobs and found multiple opportunities! These positions are filled through online applications. Search the area near where you live for all college opportunities. Just because there are no large colleges in your area does not mean that there are no jobs for you to do from home. Online colleges are a huge deal right now. They are always looking for staff members that work from home.
As for landing a position, I don't have a magic answer. I don't think there is one. I have sat on numerous hiring committees in the elementary setting. Each building principal is different and is looking for different types of teachers. You may be the perfect fit in one school, but not in another. Sometimes an applicant looks great on paper, but after a meeting it's decided employment wouldn't work.
Some advice: Don't lie anywhere on your application or in your resume. You might not think it is a big deal to say you were the "head of special educators anonymous" during your college career. But it only takes one phone call to prove that statement wrong. And if a potential employer finds something that isn't true, you have just lost the position, even if you were the best fit.
And we really do call references :) Let them know they are a reference for you, so that they are prepared with what they need to say. Also make sure they WANT to be a reference for you. Just because you worked together for 4 years, does not mean they would give you a glowing recommendation! Choose carefully! And make sure to update your letters of recommendation every couple of years. You may have been a fantastic teacher's aide 15 years ago, but I'm more interested in what you have been doing in the last 3 years or so...
Finally, be yourself. Do not try to be what the school wants you to be, or what you think they want you to be. You will be unhappy, and that will carry over to your students. If you don't fit, you don't fit. There is a position you will be a fit for somewhere. It might be disappointing, but that's how it goes.
And just a small final note, if there are no schools hiring in your district, and then all of a sudden one building is hiring 10 new teachers (and it isn't a new building) be leery. Find out why there is a turnover. Did the teachers all quit? Did they get reassigned to new buildings? Is there a new administrator, or some other type of shakeup? Ask around, you don't want to be surprised when school starts!
Good luck in your endeavors!
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