Advice for getting hired?

[TennisLady]

I'm interested in learning how you got hired, especially if you didn't know anyone at the schools you applied to. It's pretty competitive around here to even get an interview, so looking for any advice. I appreciate it very much! I'm going to the teacher's fair in about a month to hand out resumes. I'm creating new applications, getting new letters of recommendation, and just finishing up my SPED endorsement. I've been looking for 3 years now and eager to have my own classroom but looking for ways to stand out especially on my paperwork.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

SPED certification will make it easy to get hired since noone wants to teach those kids.

However, unless you want to teach SPED for your career, you will create another problem, for yourself, when you are ready to get out of SPED into a 'regular' classroom. And that is, when admin finds someone that can handle a SPED room, they keep them there forever. It's easier to find a science teacher than it is a SPED teacher

Social studies is a tough position to get into around my area. When I graduated, I accepted a Special Ed job in order to get my foot in the door. I had that job for as long as I wanted it (because noone else wanted it unlike Social Studies). I spoke to my principal and made it clear, I wanted a Social Studies position at that school as soon as one opened up and would stay in SPED until that happened. Well, a SS job came open, and they hired someone else with less experience. I wasn't mad, I realized why it was done. But I knew right then that I would need to find a Social Studies position at another school because my current one was never going to transfer me.

I found a Social Studies job at my current school the next summer. I had got my foot in the district door with SPED, started shaking the right people's hands during the first 3 years and beat out 25 other applicants for my current position.

SPED is your 'foot in the door'

[Unregistered]

Now see, that wasn't so hard was it? You CAN compose a decent post without being a jerk. Bet ya didn't know ya had it in ya!

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

there was nothing different, blunt, and to the point. This just wasn't a controversial statement

[skyeridder]

When I got my SS position I got it pretty much on my portfolio...I essentially created a entire unit, analyzed each item for blooms taxonomy and created a pie chart showing the various levels of blooms, then showed what standard each item correlated with. Not only did I bring it to the interview and job fairs, I also made several copies and bound them in nice folders and left them with the districts I interviewed with. It was great for giving them something to do besides fire questions at me, showed I knew my material and the latest bandwagons of the day and it gave them something to keep and review later when they had more time to really look at it.

Now with a SPED degree chocolate is probalby right, it will get you in but if you are wanting a regular classroom you will probalby have to transfere...they literally keep SPED's in thier position until they crack after too many years or just burn out...it's a rough setting and if it isn't what you want for the rest of your life keep your ears open and make friends in other districts.

[fireboat]

I'm interested in learning how you got hired, especially if you didn't know anyone at the schools you applied to. It's pretty competitive around here to even get an interview, so looking for any advice. I appreciate it very much! I'm going to the teacher's fair in about a month to hand out resumes. I'm creating new applications, getting new letters of recommendation, and just finishing up my SPED endorsement. I've been looking for 3 years now and eager to have my own classroom but looking for ways to stand out especially on my paperwork.

The teacher's fair is a good idea, but expect it to be mostly meet-and-greet. You'll probably end up bringing a bunch of applications hometo fill out.

I think the key is to flood the market with applications... apply to ANY school you might like to work at. Mailing out 25 -30 applications isn't unrealistic. And, when you do get an interview, study up on common teacher interview questions so you're prepared to talk about anything they mention. If you do your homework beforehand, the interviews go a lot smoother.

This eBook might help: http://www.iwantateachingjob.com It goes into things like the application process, preparing resumes, common interview questions, interview advice, and stuff like that.

[Post Teacher]

Good point. Job fairs are all meet and greet and really very little comes from them.

My advice... if you want the job go out there and get it! Walk into schools that you desire with your resume, cover letter, copy of excellent lesson plan and letters of recommendation, (in a clear folder, with key points highlighted) and ask to speak to the principal. Truth is they won't let you speak to him/her but then you get to hand your materials to the receptionist. Then ask when is a good time to check back and listen to their advice.

Don't wait for them to come to you!

[Jeff M]

I found the best thing to do is substitute at a particular school or schools and get to know the other teachers and principals. They are the final say on your hire and have more pull than you think.

Jeff
www.educatorsbookbag.com