It’s not just about being ready with your degree and certification in hand. You also need to understand how school budgets, student enrollment projections, and retirements play into the hiring timeline. Once you do, you can time your resume updates, applications, and networking efforts to give yourself the best possible shot at landing a job.

So, When’s the Best Time to Apply?

Short answer: Spring. But let’s break it down season by season because there are pros and cons to each time of year, and some windows that might surprise you.

Winter

Wintertime is hopeful. December and January aren’t usually thought of as a hiring season, however, that doesn’t mean possible job openings are off the table. Sometimes teachers retire midyear or leave unexpectedly over winter break. This then leaves the administration to rush to fill a position quickly, which can be in your favor if you already have your application on file.

January is when many teachers give notice if they’re not planning to return in the fall. This gives the administration a good idea of how many positions they’ll need to fill in the following year. Some districts will even start posting these openings online early, though most official listings start rolling out in late February.

Bottom line? If you’re ready in the winter, it’s worth applying. Even if nothing opens right away, getting in early puts you on the radar.

Spring

Spring is prime hiring season and the best time of year to focus your energy on applying for teaching jobs. From February through April, school districts start advertising new positions. This is when the majority of jobs are posted, and job fairs are in full swing. After spring break (usually April), many districts begin the interview process.

Depending on your area and their academic calendar, this process might stretch into June or July. If your school doesn’t let out for summer break until the end of June, then you may see interviews go until mid-July because teachers and parents who are on the hiring committee are still available.  Be sure to have everything ready to go and apply broadly.

Don’t wait for jobs to pop up online, network, attend hiring fairs, and reach out directly to schools you’re interested in. A friendly email to a principal or HR rep introducing yourself and asking about upcoming openings can go a long way during this time of year.

Summer

The summer months can also be ideal for trying to land a teaching position because any positions that weren’t filled in the spring will get filled during the second round of interviews, usually at the end of summer.

This is because most schools have finalized their enrollment numbers and locked in their budgets. That gives them the green light to fill any remaining positions. My first interview as a teacher was in August, and there were a lot of potential candidates vying for the same position. It might not be the calmest time to go through the hiring process, but it’s definitely a real opportunity.

If you interviewed in the spring and didn’t hear back, don’t count yourself out. If you made a good impression, there’s still a chance your name might resurface during this final push.

Fall

Once the school year starts, hiring slows down, but it doesn’t stop entirely. In October, school districts get their final headcounts. Sometimes more students enroll than expected, and schools need to open up a new section or split large class sizes. This could create brand-new teaching positions out of the blue.

The month of November tends to be quieter, but you never know when something is going to come up, so it’s always wise to keep your application on file. November tends to be quiet, but unexpected things happen. A teacher might move, leave on medical leave, or go out on maternity leave sooner than expected.

I received a phone call in November for a long-term substitute position because a teacher had to leave unexpectedly. That’s why keeping your application up-to-date and on file year-round is always a good idea. That opportunity ended up opening doors for me down the line.

Long-term sub positions might not be permanent right away, but they’re an amazing way to get your foot in the door and build relationships within a district.

How to Maximize Your Chances—No Matter the Season

Regardless of what month it is, there are a few things you can do to stay ready and make yourself stand out from the crowd.

• Keep your resume fresh: Update it every couple of months, even if you haven’t landed interviews yet.
• Craft a solid cover letter: Make it specific, not generic. Tailor it to each school you apply to.
• Prep your teaching portfolio: Whether it’s digital or physical, include lesson plans, student work samples, and anything else that shows off your teaching style.
• Line up your references: Ask people in advance if they’d be willing to speak on your behalf.
• Stay organized: Keep copies of your documents in one easy-to-access folder so you’re not scrambling when you see a job posted.
• Be persistent: Some people get hired after their first few applications. Others sub for a year or more before something sticks. That doesn’t mean you’re not good enough; it just means the right spot hasn’t opened yet.

It’s important to keep showing up, keep applying, and keep networking. While it may take a little patience, your time will come, and it will all be worth the wait.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post The Best Time to Get a Teaching Job appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Differences Between a Business Resume and a Teacher Resume

In business, a resume is typically used. In higher academia, a curriculum vitae (CV) is typically used. There are differences. A resume is meant to be a quick snapshot of a person’s relevant experiences/education that are specifically targeted to a position. It is usually a page long as a beginner and then expands to two pages for those with experience.

A CV is meant to list a person’s education, accomplishments, work experience, volunteer work, research, and publications. There is no limit to length. Pre-K to 12 teachers and administrators will use a combination resume. We will call it a resume, but it should not be as short as a business resume. It is fine to go beyond a page, but do not insert “filler” items that have no significance.

Important Sections to Include/Not Include in the Resume

Contact Information

This is vital information for the top of your resume. Be sure to include your phone number with area code, mailing address, and current email. Do not use your college email; instead, use your personal email as you will have graduated at some point and the college email will be inactivated. Districts keep resumes on file for years and it is best to keep your information current.

Objective

This is not necessarily needed in the education world. If you graduate with a degree in teaching, one will assume that you are applying for teaching jobs for which you are certified.

Education

Put the college(s) you have attended, the years you were there, and dates/expected dates of your degree as well as what that degree will be. It is very important to add the certification/license that you will hold. Do not leave out endorsements. Administrators don’t want to have to hunt for those. It is not necessary to put in your high school information.

Experience

In this section, put your experience in teaching jobs, subbing, aide, student teaching, and observing information. Put down the places and dates you served in each job, grade level, and subject area. It is unnecessary to bullet point the parts of the job you did that are expectations.

You should only bullet point an accomplishment below that item if there was something out of the ordinary involved.

Perhaps you had an exceptionally high number of students who exceeded achievement on a state test, or you had experience in co-teaching with a special education teacher. You could add training courses or workshops you have attended that are out of the ordinary. Those would be things to highlight. There is no need to say that you prepared report cards for students and had parent conferences. Those are expected things, not highlights.

Other Work Experience

Some colleges say not to add in any other work experience. I suggest adding your other work experience here that is not education related. It can show other skills you have that may not be highlighted in the education section of your resume. It can show that you have perseverance, loyalty, good communication, initiative, etc., depending on what the job was. Employers want you to have had work experience in the world.

Awards, Affiliations & Volunteer Work

This groups three categories into one. When you start out teaching, you may only have one item for certain categories. Making groupings is a way to get your achievements/experience in without having only one item under a heading. List any awards you may have gotten, any professional organizations you belong to, and volunteer work you have done. Employers want to see that you have given back to others.

Presenting & Publishing

These two categories are natural to combine, and it is rare for a beginning teacher to have much of this experience. Still, if you have anything for this category, use it. If not, remember to add this heading in future years when you have had more of these experiences.

References

In business, you will often see the term under this heading stating, “References Available Upon Request.” In the field of education and for teacher jobs, it is not a bad idea to actually list your references here along with a title and contact information. Administrators who are perusing resumes may come across a name they already have a connection with, and your resume may get pulled first for the teaching jobs because of that connection.

Personal

You do not need to list any personal information about yourself at all or even have a section like this on your resume. Remember, it is illegal for an employer to ask about marital status, race, religion, family plans, disabilities, etc.

The Cover Letter

When creating a cover letter, take the time to find out to whom it should be addressed. Do not put things like: “Dear Hiring Administrator”, “To Whom It May Concern”, or “Hi.” Address it to the principal in the building by name for the job you would like. If you are applying for multiple teaching jobs in a larger district, find out the name of the Director of Human Resources and use that. This letter is your way of telling people who you are and what you value. Do not repeat information from your resume! 

Instead, use this opportunity to tell potential employers of teaching jobs what kind of person you are. Talk about your teaching philosophy, why you got into education, how teachers have affected your life, and why you think this job is so important. Tell them why you are a good fit. This is not the time to be shy or not want to brag. Speak to your strengths and sell yourself.

The Application

Most applications are now online and easily transferred between districts. Ensure all spelling and punctuation is correct when filling out the online application. Errors will be the first thing that is noticed. For the essay questions, be sure to do them on some other kind of doc and then cut and paste them onto the application instead of typing the answers directly there. That way, you can save and re-create for other districts. When you are listing your references, be sure that you are giving personal numbers and emails, not just general school emails/numbers. You want to make it easy for an employer to check references.

These tips can help you to be more successful in your job search for teaching jobs!

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

The post Resume Building for Teaching Jobs appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Although the amount of these new teaching vacancies may make it easier for a candidate to land a job, it will take a slightly different skill set to be an effective teacher. Teaching pre-COVID-19 is very different from teaching post-COVID-19. Teacher candidates will need to champion different aspects of teaching in a post-COVID-19 environment.

Parental Engagement

Parent engagement definitely increased as a result of the pandemic. Many parents had to assist with their children in what started out as homeschooling at the beginning of the pandemic but evolved into virtual or hybrid learning. With brick and mortar schools closing, parents also had to become more responsive to various modes of communication with schools and teachers. As teacher candidates are working to get jobs, it will be key that they employ ways to capitalize on this level of parent engagement. They will also need to be creative, flexible, and quick to respond in their communication with parents.

Flexibility with Instructional Delivery

It is no secret that students learn in various formats and through a plethora of learning platforms. The pandemic confirmed this as teachers had to quickly pivot towards virtual learning. Although many teachers are still learning how to become savvy with this type of instructional delivery, there were many tools and strategies that were added to their teachers tool belts. In order to not only stay competitive but also be effective in a post-pandemic classroom, teacher candidates must know how to deliver instruction in a variety of formats. This may not be something that they learned as a pre-service teacher or even during student teaching. However, this has become a vital skill for all teachers.

Trauma-Informed Practices

It is important to remind ourselves that this pandemic is a traumatic experience for everyone. Although many may not feel like they are consciously experiencing high stress levels, there are many side effects that impact the subconscious which affect everyone. This includes students in classrooms. Trauma can slow down or completely stop a student’s ability to learn. Students who experience trauma on any level are more likely to fall behind in class or get in trouble for behavior. Educators must now arm themselves with training and professional development that speaks to this. There is a large body of work that shows teachers how to shift their instructional practices by analyzing how trauma impacts learning and behavior. Anyone who chooses to become an educator must also embrace this concept and adopt these practices.

Classroom Culture

The classroom has always been designed to be a safe haven for all students. Not every classroom functions in this way as it is dependent on the teacher’s approach and practices. Teachers must create an environment where students feel safe and free to be involved. It should be a space where everyone is accepted and included. When students are comfortable expressing themselves, teachers should capitalize on it and allow it to help them improve student learning. More now than ever, students want and need to come to classes where they feel protected and can be themselves. When looking for teaching jobs, candidates must fully share this mindset.

Relationship Building

One of the drawbacks from virtual learning is that students lose opportunities to organically connect or socialize with their peers and teachers. Students cannot fully learn when there is no connection. Those students who have not been required to be in physical spaces or manage a face-to-face schedule or within a learning environment for several months will now need to be re-familiarized to the face-to-face school setting. This will require teachers to have incredible relationship building skills. Teachers must know how to quickly connect and build solid relationships with their students. Without this connection, classrooms could become toxic for students. Students will not care about what teachers want them to learn until they know how much teachers care about their lives and their feelings.

Advocacy

With this pandemic, it is amazing to see how well our school and community leaders have gone out of their way to hear the voices of our teachers. Regardless of position, level of success, educational degree or role as it relates to education, everyone wants to know what the opinion is of the teacher in order to determine next steps in navigating the pandemic. Those who want to join the ranks and serve as a teacher must know how to advocate for students. They must not only be in tune to what their students need but also know how to be a voice for their students at all times. As an advocate, teachers must be comfortable speaking up even when it will engage a tough conversation. Students deserve teachers who are not timid or passive when it comes to advocacy. As teacher candidates seek out opportunities to teach they must not forget that one of their greatest assets is to be the voice of those who are never heard.

The post Getting Teaching Jobs in 2021 appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

There are many people who wake up one day and decide that the career they are in is not meant for them anymore. Even the most passionate educators may find themselves feeling the exact same way. This is a feeling that is completely normal and should not be ignored. When we lose interest in our career, not only are we negatively affected, but so are the students we are teaching.

Job dissatisfaction can also lead to problems outside of the workplace. You may find yourself unhappy, irritable, or lethargic at home. The people around you will be negatively affected as well. These are all signs that it is time to seek a new position. Job dissatisfaction can occur when you are not interested in your job anymore, you do not feel appreciated at work, or teaching is just not what you thought it would be.

These feelings all signal that it is time for a much needed change. Perhaps your career goals have changed. Maybe you want to affect more change through a higher up position. The great part about being an educator is that we do not have to leave the education world just because we have decided that we do not want to teach in the classroom anymore. There are a variety of employment options in education. You just have to take the time to learn about them.

Positions Worth Considering

Teaching is not the only career in education. There are many other positions that one can have in the education field that do not involve teaching. Educators looking for a change should look at the different positions that people hold in their own schools and see if they are interested in pursuing the same.

Reading Specialist

If you still want to work with children in the classroom but not with an entire class at one time, a reading specialist job is an excellent choice. You will be working one-on-one or with small groups of children at a time to improve their reading skills. You will get to see progress first hand because you will be working so closely with a small number of students.

Speech-Language Pathologist

A speech-language pathologist is another wonderful position that has you working directly with children. Children may be identified by their parents or teachers as needing additional speech intervention. Your job will be to test them to see if they qualify and then work with the students throughout the school year. Speech therapy, like reading support, is typically one-on-one or in small group sessions.

School Counselor

A school counselor is another vital role in education. They provide the support and guidance for all students. Students and teachers would be lost without them. They provide one-on-one support for students and small group workshops on a variety of mental health topics.

Administrative Positions

If you are thinking beyond working directly with students, you may want to look into administrative jobs, of which there are myriad. For example, curriculums are constantly changing in education. Schools need curriculum directors at both the elementary and secondary levels. You need to keep yourself up-to-date on the newest methods, goals, and state requirements and be able to share these with the teaching staff.

EdTech Specialist

EdTech specialist has come to the forefront of education especially in this past year due to COVID-19. An EdTech specialist researches and finds the best technology for the needs of the students, teachers, and staff. An EdTech specialist is also the person to teach others how to use new programs and remedy problems as they arise. If you love technology, this is a great job to have and still be part of the school community.

Leadership Roles

Teachers may also decide that they want to take on more leadership roles. Teachers can transition to assistant principals or principals. After the required amount of leadership experience, they may also be interested in pursuing a job as the superintendent of a district.

Tips to Start Your New Journey

No matter what new position you may decide to pursue, you want to make sure that you are fully informed. Below are some tips to consider as you are investigating a new career in education.

1. Write down and evaluate your career goals. By doing this, you may decide that you do not want to stay in education. It can also help you to find a new career that is the best fit for you.
2. Make sure you research the programs for your desired position. You will most likely have to take additional university courses in order to be qualified for the new job. There may be certificate programs that you can pursue. There may be add-ons that you can do with your current teaching license. By taking the time to research these programs, you will learn how much time and money it will take you to land the new job.
3. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons. Just like your current job, there may be aspects that you do not like in the new job. However, by weighing the pros and cons, you will be able to see if pursuing the new job is worth it.
4. Take time to talk with people who are in that new job right now and find out what it is like firsthand. This will help you decide if the switch is right for you.

There are many alternatives to being a classroom teacher. You just need to find the right fit for you.

The post When is it Time to Seek a New Position? appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Your Network

If you have been teaching for more than five years, chances are you have been to multiple professional development workshops where you have met other teachers. Perhaps you have been a member of an educational union or social media network connecting teachers and sharing experiences. If so, use this network of colleagues to announce your job search and seek assistance with sharing in your search. Some of these acquaintances may know of opportunities and be able to give you a good reference if you have established professional relationships in the past. In addition, you might reach out to peers or professors from your university that might know of possible job prospects.

Utilize Social Media

In the modern age of technology, it is imperative that anyone searching for a job use social media with discretion and professionalism. One misunderstood post and your educational career could come to a halt. However, there is value in using these sites while searching for a job. Here is a list of popular sites and how they can be used to assist in your quest for a new teaching position:

• LinkedIn and Indeed – These are considered professional networking sites where you can post your resume and experience, locate open positions within your field, and connect with opportunities. Employers can recruit through these and other job specific sites, so you can gain quick connections across the nation.
• Twitter – This social media site is used by many school districts to quickly share news and upcoming events in short, 280-maximum-character posts. Be sure and type in your keywords using hashtags (#) to narrow your search effectively.
• Facebook – This is another social media site that can be used effectively in your job search. It is used best for locating school districts news feeds to search for job fairs and open positions.

When utilizing these sites, it is important to remember to keep your profile professional and updated. Remember that administrators will be viewing these to determine your possibilities for an interview or future career.

In addition to using social media for job searches, veteran teachers can also use these networks to stay abreast of educational news. Valid and reliable media sites can be used to learn about educational policy changes, new teaching strategies, and buzzwords to use within your interview to help demonstrate your current knowledge of educational trends.

Consider Relocation

Across the nation, many school districts are facing a shortage of teacher candidates. Some of the shortages are in specific areas, such as special education, while others are more widespread across all certifications. If you are willing and able to relocate, use this to your advantage. Some districts are enticing teachers to their area by providing extra incentives from sign-on bonuses to housing provided near the school. Another way of pursuing a career in a new setting is to be willing to seek a new certification while teaching. Many districts in need of particular positions are willing to let an experienced teacher teach while receiving training toward a new certification such as reading specialist or English as a Second Language instruction. This alternative certification is a great doorway to new opportunities if you are willing to try a new area of the educational field.

When considering relocation, it is also important to determine ahead of time if your specific state’s licensure is accepted in the new district. If it isn’t, ask if this district administrators are willing to allow you to teach while you meet the requirements for new licensure. Some may have this flexibility while others may have policies against such practices. Knowing this in advance can save you time and travel or provide you with time to advance your license.

Leverage You Experience in Interviews

If you have taught for five or more years, chances are you have used multiple teaching and behavior management strategies and been a part of a variety of educational scenarios. Use these to your advantage without dominating the interview. For example, when the administrator asks a question about your knowledge of assessments, detail the assessments you have you administered for progress monitoring and formal assessment. Be sure to share how you used data from these to differentiate lessons and drive your instruction.

If you are given the chance to present a teaching demonstration, this is your time to shine as a veteran teacher. You will most likely be more comfortable in front of an audience. Use this opportunity to show how you use small groups, differentiate instruction, and can manage a classroom while focusing on the learning of each student.

In addition, your years of experience have most likely given you opportunities to work on committees and lead trainings. Share ways you’ve collaborated with others within your school and district to make positive changes in your teaching philosophy and strategies. Promote yourself so that the administrator sees how you, a veteran teacher, have a lot of experience and knowledge to offer the new school and school district.

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