John: I Have my Teaching Certificate, Now What? Part One

I got an e-mail recently from someone looking for a teaching job. She was frustrated in her search and didn’t know where to begin. Many of the comments I get from readers of Reality 101 are from student teachers or college students, who are studying to become special education teachers. As the end of the semester approaches (can you believe it?!), I want to share some job search tips for teachers. 

Teaching is a unique profession in that the vast majority of hiring is done over a span of just a couple months. In most other professions, you can search just about any time of the year and find openings. For teachers, however, the months of January–May are your peak time. If I had to be more specific, I would say the months of March and April.

From my experience, teachers are given letters of intent in late December or early January. A letter of intent simply lets the district know what the teachers plans to do for the following year. It does not guarantee that the teacher will be offered a position. Then once the district reviews all letters of intent, it issues contracts. Typically, contracts go out to teachers in early to mid-March. The contracts are usually due back to the district a month later.

Anywhere in this process, principals can become aware of openings in their school. Between teachers who return a letter of intent stating that they will not be returning, to teachers who decline a contract offer or were not offered a contract, the spring semester is full of openings. The key to landing a job, especially your first job, is all in your timing.

Prepare a resume, cover letter and reference list that you can personalize for each school you want to apply to. In talking to several principals, the common consensus is that delivering these materials in person is better than simply attaching them in an e-mail. Many principals, however, have different opinions about how they prefer for prospective teachers to contact them initially. Some prefer for teachers to stop by without an appointment at less busy times of the day (avoid times when students are arriving, leaving or eating), but I think most principals would prefer that you e-mail them ahead of time to schedule a time that works for them.

This personal impression is very important. Many first-year teachers are going to have very similar qualifications. Your personality and professionalism is what needs to set you apart. Dressing appropriately (see my post on teacher apparel), speaking professionally and being respectful of the principal’s time are all very important.

A couple questions you can ask the principal are:

1. Do you know of any openings for next year?
2. What are you looking for in a teacher applicant?
3. What could I do to improve m marketability to future employers?

These questions will give you extremely valuable information. You will know if this school is a good lead for applying, and asking them will also show the principal that you are interested in growing and improving yourself.

Substituting is another extremely beneficial way to improve your chances of landing a teaching job. Stay tuned for a second post, where I give some helpful tips for substituting that leads to a teaching position.

Comments

[Yolanda]

Thank you for the advice. I would love to have the opportunity of meeting some of the principals in my district but between classes and my residency obligation during school hours it seems kind of tough trying to set up the time! How professional is requesting a meeting via Skype or Google Chat for an initial interest meeting with a principal?

[John]

@Hollie Mason I would go ahead and start applying for jobs now even though you will still have classes to finish. Many principals understand that and would hire you anyway under the condition that you pass everything successfully. It's kind of like when colleges accept you before your graduate from high school under the condition that you do graduate from high school and pass all of your classes.

[Hollie Mason]

Awesome (and very useful) advice! I have had some experience with the human resources department in my district and they have also given some advice, but I like the idea of trying to meet principals in person if they are available to do that. I have also been checking frequently on my district's website to determine what might be available for me next year. I will have my license by mid-summer. I know that seems like a shorter amount of time to get hired, but do you have any other advice for someone who would be in a "time crunch" because of classes?

[Leigh]

As everyone else says, this post is perfect timing! These tips helps so much, especially about talking to principals. I've been hearing the same general tips other places, but everything I read adds something. I love the idea you talked about of checking ahead to schedule a time with principals--as silly as it sounds, I hadn't thought of that, and hadn't read it anywhere else. In fact, I was kind of stressed about taking things to principals, because I know I don't like just being dropped in on, and I know how incredibly busy principals are. So thanks for that explicit teaching moment, I needed it.

Additionally, although I know there are a lot of job openings where I am, it's still stressful to apply, and to think about how to say no to a job if you really don't want it, or how to wait for a job you do want...aaah! In short, just knowing that others are going through the same thing, and hearing the words of nervousness and assurance from others is incredibly helpful.

[April Johnson]

This post is perfect timing for me. I have been wrapping up my student teaching, while participating in district screening interviews and applying to each of those school districts. From what I've gathered each of the school districts begin the interviewing process over the next three weeks. I appreciate the information provided in this post, it gives me a greater confidence of how to go about seeking out interviews from schools within the districts that I am interested in. I now have a better idea of how to show my interest, as well as demonstrate who I am along with my credentials.

[John]

Best of luck getting your license! I'm sure you know this already, but the state you get your license in will be the easiest state to be hired in. I recommend people teach the first two years in the state they got their license (after two years you will have a full professional license) and then it is easier to move to other states and transfer your license.

Just thought I would share that since I didn't put that in the post.

[Lee]

Speaking of timing, this post is perfect timing for me. While I finished classes in December, I'm almost (I hope) done with the drawn out process of getting my license. The program I was had very little to offer with preparing for getting a position, so I'm going in all kinds of directions trying to figure out how best to market myself.

Thanks for the post and I look forward to the next!