Honestly, I attribute most of my success to my flexibility in location. I applied to any and all jobs in Oregon because, luckily, my husband and I were willing and able to move anywhere. Flexibility didn't carry me through applications and interviews, though, so here is my advice regarding the application process:
Applications
- Be flexible. Maybe you have to commute for a year, or move outside your ideal area, but if you want to teach that may be what you have to do.
- Be professional. Use nice paper (I use linen resume paper for my whole application packet), print and staple cleanly, have accurate spelling and grammar, write clearly and neatly, etc.
- Make an impact in as few words as possible. I print the following on a sheet of nice linen paper (white or cream) and scrapbook glue it on the front of my nice linen application folder (blue or black). I print the word cloud that follows on nice linen paper and scrapbook glue it on the back. For applications that have an online element I include another piece that says "supplementary materials to online application." I also include a list of highlights or "summary of qualifications" on my resume before I go into detail (below).
- Highly proficient in technology integration, instruction, and application including building websites, SMART Board use, instructional websites, blogs, and more. (Example websites)
- Experience teaching 60 third grade students with a team of two co-teachers.
- Over 1,200 hours volunteer experience in eleven schools in six cities with students from grades kindergarten through college including a grade-blended classroom, as well as additional experience working with children and adults in bicycle motocross.
- Trained in instruction for diverse learners including Talented and Gifted students, students with Learning Disabilities, students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and English Language Learners.
- Trained in the use and/or administration of DIBELS, running records, GLAD, SIOP, and many reading and writing programs such as Lucy Calkins, Phonics for Reading, Read Naturally, etc.
- Skilled at visual and performing arts, trained in visual and performing arts instruction and integration.
- Trained in differentiation, project-based learning, the Storyline method, and open-ended questions.
- Some American Sign Language and French.
- First Aid/CPR certified.
- Stand out. I go over and above and try to stand out in every way possible, I begin with the cover and word cloud. I also include copies of a narrative writing sample and educational philosophy statement that demonstrate my writing ability. If you write songs include sheet music, if you're an artist include a picture of an original work, etc. When I really want to go over and above I include an edited DVD of myself teaching.
- Demonstrate your organizational skills. I'm not sure that this makes a difference but I always put the items in my folder in the order they are requested on the job posting.
- Make everything you've done sound amazing. Under book store job duties, instead of "cashier:" Assisted people of various ages from all over the world in the finding and purchasing of textbooks and other supplies.
Interviews
- Prepare, prepare, prepare. Have your mom, your significant other, co-workers, etc. drill you with interview questions. After any interview write down the questions they asked and take notes about the good and bad of your answers to prepare for the next interview. I go over interview questions in my head as I drive to the interview (especially the ones that come up most often: Tell me about yourself, describe your behavior management system, how will you develop your classroom climate, and how can parents and volunteers be utilized in the classroom?)
- Leave early enough to give yourself extra time to drive around the city in which you are applying. Find good things about the city for that inevitable question about why you want to teach in that area. This also is helpful in the dreadful case that there is an accident, construction, etc. etc.
- Dress appropriately. Duh.
- Come overly prepared. See Application Portfolio. You may not always use the items in your portfolio, but preparing the portfolio helps to organize your thoughts and is proof of your dedication and organizational skills. Also, I use my portfolio as a last minute cram session before the interview.
- Relax. These are normal people just looking for the right person to come along. Laugh, joke, smile, and be yourself. It sounds hard but I just try to think about the different zany/mellow/creative/kind/caring teachers and principals I've worked with before and imagine these to be the same. It's more about the connection than all of the pedagogical strategies you can regurgitate.
So, there it is. This is all the "secrets" I can think of for getting a teaching job as a beginning teacher. Hope you find something useful :)
