Landing a Teacher Job

Where are all the teaching jobs?? In some places it seems like they are a dime a dozen, while in others it's like finding a needle in a haystack.
I landed my first teaching job after a LOT of hard work. I had to spend a lot of time and money on resumes (boo). I felt like I couldn't lick another envelope, but I am so glad I did, because it just happened that I finally got a job in the LAST district that I applied to-- that I just happened to send to by chance. I am so thankful I did take that chance, because I am so happy where I am. I did a lot of research on interviewing and that also helped me out.
I landed my first teaching job because I possess qualities that make me stand out from the rest. For example, the excitement I have for teaching shows in my personality. My face lights up when education is the topic of discussion. I also am a die-hard worker. Administrators like to see initiative, and I have a lot of that.
I know landing a teaching job is hard, but here is some advice to make it easier: you won't get a teaching job by waiting for one to come knocking on your door. You have to get out there and get known. Substituting is a GREAT way to do this. Especially if you can get a long-term position. Send out resumes, or better yet-- hand-deliever them. Make yourself accessable and personable.
I wish you the best of luck!
This post is part of the Teaching Jobs Portal: “How to land a Teacher Job”. What was your journey like to become a teacher? If you’d like to share your experience with other aspiring teachers please see this post for more information

Twitter

I just realized how AWESOME twitter is for educators!!! I always had mixed feelings about Twitter-- like who cares who is doing what and where.
But did you know you can "follow" different educators and educational sites? WHERE HAVE I BEEN?! It offers such a wealth of knowledge I never knew before. I'm so excited, I'm going to start following people right now!!

Flexible Grouping

What are the thoughts out there on flexible grouping, I wonder? The school I student taught in did it, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. The basic skills program is pretty much becoming a replacement program. Is that how it should be? Is that the 'least restrictive environment" for these children?

I'm not sure...

Let's Keep Up

I've decided to keep up with this Ed blog. They always tell us teachers should reflect, right? So why not.

I'm really frustrated with the makeup of my students. So many teachers would probably envy my job. I teach in a brand new Middle School with state-of-the-art technology. Sounds like a teacher's dream job, right?

But here is something that we don't have: appreciative students OR parents. It seems like they don't value their education at all. One of my good friends teaches in another district, a B district. She is always talking about how her parents volunteer and how loving her students are. I'm jealous! How do I get my middle schoolers to care?

:(

The Future is Bright

I've never been prouder of the profession that I have chosen. I have so much hope for the future of American Education. Even for the kids that sit in the way back of the classroom.

The technology of today is unbelieveable!!! My old professor Dr. Allen has taught me so much about how to integrate technology into the classroom. He has shown me ways to reach EVERY student, no matter how reluctant they are to learn. The key is to find what motivates them, and then use it.

This professor didn't just teach that to his students, he actually uses this philosophy in his own teaching. The boy that sat next to me in his class could not care less about what the professor had to say. Until one day he asked us all to bring in our Ipods if we had one. This guy was SO excited about class that day. He even had a print out of all his songs. The assignment isn't important here, except the fact that this teacher took an unconventional approach to reach his students. If there are more teachers out there like Dr. Allen, then there is absolutely hope for the future of American education!

This post is part of the MAT@USC Hope for the holidays event. Did you experience or witness an event in 2009 that gave you hope for the future of American education? If so, please see this post for more information on how to share it.