Comments on: How To Get a Job in Education That You Love http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/ Heather Wolpert-Gawron Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:35:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: tweenteacher http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-275 tweenteacher Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:12:42 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-275 Hey Pat, Thanks for commenting. You can't ever be passive in this profession b/c it is an active and interactive career that is ever-evolving. It begins in the relationship that you set up with your principal. if they know you are willing to do extra to educate yourself about the school, they may even be more willing (once you are hired) to support your programs. People like to give helping hands to those who are passionate about their same cause, in this case, a school and its students. Good luck with your job search! -Tweenteacher Hey Pat,
Thanks for commenting. You can’t ever be passive in this profession b/c it is an active and interactive career that is ever-evolving. It begins in the relationship that you set up with your principal. if they know you are willing to do extra to educate yourself about the school, they may even be more willing (once you are hired) to support your programs. People like to give helping hands to those who are passionate about their same cause, in this case, a school and its students. Good luck with your job search!
-Tweenteacher

]]> By: Pat http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-270 Pat Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:30:12 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-270 Great list. I agree that you can't be passive when seeking a job that you want. You have to jump through the hoops but showing initiative tells a principal that you really want a job. Great list. I agree that you can’t be passive when seeking a job that you want. You have to jump through the hoops but showing initiative tells a principal that you really want a job.

]]> By: tweenteacher.com » Top 10: How to Take Control of Your Teaching http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-263 tweenteacher.com » Top 10: How to Take Control of Your Teaching Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:26:25 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-263 [...] my post, “How to Get a Job in Education that you Love“)  Your level of job happiness starts the minute you say “yes” to a human resource [...] [...] my post, “How to Get a Job in Education that you Love“)  Your level of job happiness starts the minute you say “yes” to a human resource [...]

]]> By: Carnival of Education « Where’s the Sun? http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-231 Carnival of Education « Where’s the Sun? Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:10:59 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-231 [...] Tweenteacher from Tweenteacher.com uncovers How To Get a Job in Education That You Love. [...] [...] Tweenteacher from Tweenteacher.com uncovers How To Get a Job in Education That You Love. [...]

]]> By: tweenteacher http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-97 tweenteacher Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:33:15 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-97 I'm a big believer in putting odds in your own favor and when it comes to being happy in teaching, finding that right fit is the first step towards that happiness. It is also the first step in taking control of your own teaching. Many teachers feel that education is a system that has too many components that are out of our control. I happen to believe that there is much more that we as teachers can do to give ourselves back many of the cards, some of which we as a profession gave up ourselves, others of which were never extended to us. Being responsible enough to do one's homework about the school to which you are applying is one the first steps one can make towards being more in control of your career and your day-to-day happiness as a teacher. I too sat on an interviewing panel. You're right, it was about what made a good match, and if a person has done their homework enough to see themselves fit into that machine, it also increases that person's chances of getting that position. Once again, thanks for writing. -Heather I’m a big believer in putting odds in your own favor and when it comes to being happy in teaching, finding that right fit is the first step towards that happiness. It is also the first step in taking control of your own teaching. Many teachers feel that education is a system that has too many components that are out of our control. I happen to believe that there is much more that we as teachers can do to give ourselves back many of the cards, some of which we as a profession gave up ourselves, others of which were never extended to us. Being responsible enough to do one’s homework about the school to which you are applying is one the first steps one can make towards being more in control of your career and your day-to-day happiness as a teacher.

I too sat on an interviewing panel. You’re right, it was about what made a good match, and if a person has done their homework enough to see themselves fit into that machine, it also increases that person’s chances of getting that position.

Once again, thanks for writing.
-Heather

]]> By: David Cohen http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-96 David Cohen Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:33:19 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-96 Good post, Heather. (And comments, too). I have to agree about being yourself. I think it's actually a sign of self-confidence to be candid about your struggles, provided you're talking about them with awareness of your strengths and with the intent of addressing your needs. I also had the opportunity to be part of a large panel doing group interviews for our school's principal last year. Our conversations after the interviews focused mostly on making a good match - the personnel dept. had done the screening, so we weren't interviewing people without qualifications, after all. Maybe a candidate could have done a better job selling herself or himself, but what good would that do? Had we made the wrong hire, we'd all be miserable and less successful. Same thing for a teacher, I'd say. If you put on something insincere in the interview, you might regret getting the job and discover it was a bad fit. Good post, Heather. (And comments, too). I have to agree about being yourself. I think it’s actually a sign of self-confidence to be candid about your struggles, provided you’re talking about them with awareness of your strengths and with the intent of addressing your needs.

I also had the opportunity to be part of a large panel doing group interviews for our school’s principal last year. Our conversations after the interviews focused mostly on making a good match – the personnel dept. had done the screening, so we weren’t interviewing people without qualifications, after all. Maybe a candidate could have done a better job selling herself or himself, but what good would that do? Had we made the wrong hire, we’d all be miserable and less successful. Same thing for a teacher, I’d say. If you put on something insincere in the interview, you might regret getting the job and discover it was a bad fit.

]]> By: heather http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-87 heather Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:40:56 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-87 Keep trying. Sometimes these things go in waves. Mid-April was perfectly appropriate, so I applaud you for that choice. The summer is another wave when teachers tell their principals when they don't have to be still working with them day in and day out. You sound like you're doing what you need to do. I remember one Distinguished School school that I made an appointment with in April. I went there to meet the principal and as I sat there, an emergency came up, and she came out, shook my hand, made her apologies, and left. I sighed and moved on. Two months later I got a call from the principal who remembered my face, had her assistant find the resume that was once on her desk, and called to offer me a position. I had already taken one, but you never know how these things happen. Also, remember that when you've gotten the offer from the school, the district still might haggle. Make sure they give you all of your units. If you have tenure, you can even insist on transferring that. If they want you enough, they will somehow make it happen. Don't worry. It will happen for you. Keep in touch and keep getting your face out there to those who are making the decisions. Feel free to write back. I'll be waiting to hear how it goes. -Heather aka Tweenteacher Keep trying. Sometimes these things go in waves. Mid-April was perfectly appropriate, so I applaud you for that choice. The summer is another wave when teachers tell their principals when they don’t have to be still working with them day in and day out. You sound like you’re doing what you need to do. I remember one Distinguished School school that I made an appointment with in April. I went there to meet the principal and as I sat there, an emergency came up, and she came out, shook my hand, made her apologies, and left. I sighed and moved on. Two months later I got a call from the principal who remembered my face, had her assistant find the resume that was once on her desk, and called to offer me a position. I had already taken one, but you never know how these things happen.

Also, remember that when you’ve gotten the offer from the school, the district still might haggle. Make sure they give you all of your units. If you have tenure, you can even insist on transferring that. If they want you enough, they will somehow make it happen.

Don’t worry. It will happen for you. Keep in touch and keep getting your face out there to those who are making the decisions. Feel free to write back. I’ll be waiting to hear how it goes.
-Heather
aka Tweenteacher

]]> By: Neva B http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Neva B Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:46:20 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-84 I have been on the hunt for a teaching job "that I will love" and the title of this article leapt out at me. I have been doing many of the things suggested like calling around to meet principals or just going in to give my resume and multimedia CD to the office manager because the principal was not there or in a meeting, going by to update my application and stopping in to chat with the superintendent,but I have not been able to get that interview yet. It is June and maybe something will open up. I started in mid-April and maybe even that was too late. Now I guess I will just keep on trying to at least meet principals and leave them with an imprint of a teacher that hopefully made an impression for future openings...from Mississippi Teacher in waiting... I have been on the hunt for a teaching job “that I will love” and the title of this article leapt out at me. I have been doing many of the things suggested like calling around to meet principals or just going in to give my resume and multimedia CD to the office manager because the principal was not there or in a meeting, going by to update my application and stopping in to chat with the superintendent,but I have not been able to get that interview yet. It is June and maybe something will open up. I started in mid-April and maybe even that was too late. Now I guess I will just keep on trying to at least meet principals and leave them with an imprint of a teacher that hopefully made an impression for future openings…from Mississippi Teacher in waiting…

]]> By: tweenteacher http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-22 tweenteacher Fri, 30 May 2008 01:23:06 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-22 Right on the money, Linda F. It's the first way to take control of your own happiness in the job. If a person puts more cards in their own favor, they won't have to take the only job offered. Thanks again for the comments. It's really a pleasure. Right on the money, Linda F. It’s the first way to take control of your own happiness in the job. If a person puts more cards in their own favor, they won’t have to take the only job offered. Thanks again for the comments. It’s really a pleasure.

]]> By: Linda F http://tweenteacher.com/2008/06/12/how-to-get-a-job-in-education-that-you-love/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Linda F Thu, 29 May 2008 13:14:40 +0000 http://tweenteacher.com/?p=48#comment-21 I love this! I've always followed the advice to get my face in front of the person that will be the boss, because it's critical to get your own impressions about him/her BEFORE you run around the HR maze. Why waste time trying to get a position with someone you don't want to work with? I love this!

I’ve always followed the advice to get my face in front of the person that will be the boss, because it’s critical to get your own impressions about him/her BEFORE you run around the HR maze. Why waste time trying to get a position with someone you don’t want to work with?

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