This document provides information and advice for student teachers seeking employment as K-12 teachers. It outlines the job search process including maintaining a log of contacts, the importance of networking, tips for cover letters and resumes, preparing for interviews, and following up after interviews. Sample documents like cover letters, resumes, and thank you letters are also provided to demonstrate proper formatting and content.

1. Student Teacher Job Seminar Revised 2010 A step-by-step process for taking charge of your teaching career Richard Binkney, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Education – Tift College of Education Henry Regional Academic Center - Mercer University Learning Technology Specialist – Ms. Sheila Newman, M. S. – Technology Mgt. J is for JOB

2. Ten Reasons to Become a Teacher The challenges of teaching are outnumbered only by the rewards that come from helping children realize their dreams. To ignite the spark of curiosity in children. To practice three of life’s most valuable virtues: kindness, patience and understanding. To experience the joy of seeing children learn to read, write and do arithmetic – and set them on a path to success in school and life. To share your love of learning with young minds and help students discover their potential. To see the world through a child’s eye while sharing your knowledge – and to learn something in return.

3. Ten Reasons to Become a Teacher The challenges of teaching are outnumbered only by the rewards that come from helping children realize their dreams. To make the same kind of difference in a child’s life as your favorite teacher made in yours. To help children understand the diversity of cultures and values that make our country strong and proud. To serve children, your community and your country. To turn your love of learning into a love of teaching. To share your passion. If you like seeing a child’s eye light up with understanding, you belong in the classroom.

4. Timeline for Job Seekers in Education Research Web sites that contain education vacancy postings, such as: www.teachgeorgia.org www. (name of county).k12.ga.us Support your fellow Student Teachers Don’t be in competition with each other!

5. The Down & Dirty “How To Get a Teaching Job!” Looking for a job as a teacher is a challenge today. The more organized and the better you are prepared, the greater your chance for success. The more people you know, and the more you follow up on personal contacts, the greater are your options. Get organized. Utilize personal contacts. Be able to use educator talk or language. Make the best possible impression. Practice & Follow-up Finding your first job as a teacher is full time job. Keeping a log helps you organize the job search and remember what is being experienced.

6. The Down & Dirty “How To Get a Teaching Job!” KEEP A LOG Dates Schools/Job Fairs/Interviews/Places You Go Names of the People You Meet Impressions-What Happened?

7. The Down & Dirty “How To Get a Teaching Job!” GENERALLY Principals hire people they know, first And people sent to them from people they know, second.

8. The Down & Dirty “How To Get a Teaching Job!” You are being assessed consciously and unconsciously along every step in the teacher job search process. You must look your best, feel your best and be aware of your actions.

9. What Every Principal Wants

10. Enthusiasm: An eagerness for the challenge at hand. A positive view of the world. The perception of problems as opportunities for gain and improvement. The belief that the classroom will be exciting and rewarding, and that the school will certainly achieve its goals. What Every Principal Wants

11. Strength of character: Stability. Dependability. Commitment to do what's right. Avoidance of what's trivial and petty. Willingness to get the job done, whatever effort is required. Concern for maintaining reputation. High standards. Leadership stature. What Every Principal Wants

12. What Every Principal Wants Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers – Job Outlook 2007 Survey Employers rate the influence of attributes when choosing between two equally qualified candidates . Attributes Has held leadership position Major High GPA (3.0 or above) Has been involved in extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, student government, etc.) Has done volunteer work School attended Rating 4.0 4.0 3.7 3.7 3.2 3.0

13. Your Address City, State, Zip Code Date Prinicpal’s Name Address City, State, Zip Code Dear _________: First paragraph – Explain your reason for writing. Indicate the teaching position about which you are asking. Tell how you heard of the opening in the school. Sample Cover Letters

14. Second paragraph – Indicate one or two qualifications about yourself that would be of greatest interest to the principal. Tell why you are interested in the school, and mention any related experience or special training. Sample Cover Letters

15. Third paragraph – Make a specific request for an interview indicating when you are available. Refer the principal to the enclosed resume or application form. Sincerely, Sample Cover Letters

16. Louise Teacher 21 Forest View Road Hilltop, USA 99999 January 10, 2010 Dr. Steve Principal Hilltop School District 452 Anchorage Drive Hilltop, USA 99999 Dear Dr. Principal: I am aware of your need for elementary school teachers in Hilltop School District, beginning next September. I recently moved to this town and I'm looking for full-time employment as an elementary school teacher. I have experience teaching K-4 and I have special skills in art and music, which will enhance any classroom, but especially the primary and early grades. I have a current state credential and I'm a graduate of ABC University in Miami, FL with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. I noticed on the Internet that you are conducting in-person interviews every half hour Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the next six weeks and applicants can call or e-mail a time and then someone in your office will confirm. Please schedule me for Monday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. To confirm please call 333-345-6787. I look forward to meeting you and hopefully joining your team of teachers in the fall. I appreciate your taking a moment to read my cover letter. Sincerely, Louise Teacher Enc: resume and cover letter

17. Building Your Resume The foundation of your job search as a teacher should be a good, solid resume . Your resume (often called a curriculum vitae or vita) is like an advertisement of yourself towards a prospective school principal. The resume describes in detail your professional career, including both work experiences and qualifications. You want your resume to look and sound appealing to enhance your chances in being selected for an interview.

18. Building Your Resume Your resume should be one to two pages in length, free of typographical errors, produced on high-quality bond paper, and organized, so that it is easy to read. Since your resume presents a combination of your skills, abilities, and qualifications, you want it to show your best assets towards being a teacher.

19. Building Your Resume Although the resume and curriculum vitae have the same function, the main differences between the two are length and format. In the business world, the standard resume is usually no more than two pages in length. The specific purpose of an effective resume is to get your foot in the door and obtain that important first personal interview.

20. Sample Curriculum Vitae Maggie Teacher Address Phone Number/s -- E-Mail Address/es Professional and Work Experiences (Student Teaching) Dates/Places Position/Title/Duties

21. Sample Curriculum Vitae Certifications/Licenses/Special Training Professional Associations: Activities Honors References:

22. Sample After Interview Thank You Letter Address City, State, Zip Code Date Dr. Maude Principal Address Dear Dr. Principal: First paragraph – Express appreciation for the opportunity to be interviewed, referring to the teaching position for which you were applying and/or interviewed.

23. Sample After Interview Thank You Letter Second paragraph – Indicate one or two areas discussed in the interview that were of particular interest. Mention your strong qualifications or background that will enable you to teach grade/subject. Add relevant information/experience that you omitted during the interview or that you wish to highlight in this letter.

24. Sample After Interview Thank You Letter Third paragraph – State that you would like to teach this grade/subject and the reason you would be an asset to the school. Indicate that you are looking forward to the results of the interview, and that you will call in a week to check on the results. Sincerely, Applicant

25. Nail The Job Interview Interviews don’t just count – they count the most! Know Yourself Know the School Know the Details Practice You are Ready to Interview

26. Questions by the Interviewee: What is the teacher/student ratio in your school/grade level/class? Do you encourage teachers to earn graduate degrees? Tell me about the students who attend your school. How does the teaching staff feel about new teachers? Does your system have a new teacher induction program? Nail The Job Interview

27. Questions by the Interviewee: How do the parents support the students/school? What is the mission statement of your school? Do your teachers have specific grade/subject curriculum guides? What type of mentor system does your school have for new teachers? What type of staff development did your school provide for teachers last year? Nail The Job Interview

28. Difficult Interview Questions & Answers Why do you want to work for this school/district?

29. I went to school in Bethel Park and I am proud of the education I received. In elementary school, I had a teacher named Mrs. J. Carr who cared about me and was an excellent teacher. Mrs. Carr's way of teaching and caring for her students has always been in the back of my mind. Through school and my past professional experiences I tried to model myself off of Mrs. Carr and some of the other many wonderful teachers that I was lucky to have in Bethel Park School District. I want to give back to the community what it has given me... (This would be where I would make some corny line up about what being a BP graduate K-12 has done for me as a teacher) Talk about its reputation. Look online to find data about it's test scores and number of students that graduate. Difficult Interview Questions & Answers

30. What is your biggest weakness? Difficult Interview Questions & Answers

31. Answer – Your response could include something that may have been a challenge in the past, and you have taken steps to rectify the problem. It is also important to be honest, they will be testing your honesty ... and they also want to see what concerns they should be aware of. The key to answering the question is to turn a negative into a positive. Difficult Interview Questions & Answers

32. I don't suggest using that traditional, "I'm a perfectionist", as it is often overused, and will tend to sound phony. It is also important that you don't get defensive and try to justify why you are weak in a particular subject area, such as social studies. This would make a bad impression, because it may be relevant to the position that you are seeking. Whatever you decide to use, ensure it is not one of the key skills of the position you are seeking. In other words, don't pinpoint classroom discipline and/management or subject area. Difficult Interview Questions & Answers

33. Think of this question as an opportunity to sell yourself. Here is an example: You wouldn't say, "I have a difficult time organizing my day." Instead, rephrase the answer by saying. "There are so many creative activities I plan for my students and class time is limited. It is difficult to incorporate all of the activities that I would like my students to learn from. Over time, I have realized to prioritize what lessons are the most important to enhance my student learning. I now realize that I can't do everything I would like to." Difficult Interview Questions & Answers

34. The previous example shows you are excited about designing new and creative lessons for your students. In their mind, this will not be a negative. It will position you that much closer to getting a job offer. Difficult Interview Questions & Answers

35. Ten Rules of Interviewing Keep your answers brief and concise. Include concrete, quantifiable data. Repeat your key strengths three times. Prepare five or more success stories. Put yourself on their team. Image is often as important as content. Ask questions. Maintain a conversational flow. Research the school and district. Keep an interview journal.

36. When Job-Hunting: Dress for Success Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume No visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings for women Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth Minimal jewelry No body odor Check your attire in the rest room just before your interview for a Final check of your appearance -- to make sure your tie is straight, your hair is combed, etc

37. Expert Interview Tips Arrive on time or a few minutes early Research the school and district through the Internet Look your professional best Greet the interviewer by last name Project energy and enthusiasm. Smile and shake hands firmly Be enthusiastic about the job and the school Don’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no” Network, network, network

38. Remember – take the letters of ATTITUDE and substitute each letter’s numerical equivalent (A=1, B=2, T=20, etc.) You will get You Will Get 100% 100 %

39. What Should Women Wear to a Job Interview?

40. Effective Strategies for Overcoming Interview Anxiety Learn the questions that might be asked by a principal as best you can Prepare yourself by locating the interview location the day or two before Wake up early the day of the interview Eat a good breakfast Do not eat or drink anything with caffeine

41. Effective Strategies for Overcoming Interview Anxiety Think about something else to take your mind off of your anxiety Take a short walk just to get your blood flowing Visualize your success on the interview Stay away from other interviewers at the exam who are negative and anxious

42. Questions?

43. With Appreciation To: Ms. Sheila Newman – Mercer University – Learning Technology Specialist Dr. Sheila Binkney – Retired Principal – Oakland Elementary School