Becky's Ideas for Getting A Teaching Job

I am a fifth grade teacher. Here is my advice for landing a teaching job.

I landed my first teaching job by substituting in the district for a year before getting my job. I was available to sub every day, wherever they needed me, any position, any school, any time of day. I applied for many positions, and had a solid demonstration lesson.

I landed my first teaching job because I possess these qualities...I have a good work ethic. I am creative and artistic, which helps to make an interesting lesson. My college education program set high discipline and behavioral standards for their students and I now possess these standards. I am kind and respectful to my students and peers.

Finding a teaching job can be hard, but here is some advice to make it easier...To land a teaching position today, one must be innovative- especially with technology skills. Act and dress professionally, but don’t appear to be too stuffy and unapproachable. Let your love of teaching shine through when speaking to administrators during interviews and to the students when you are teaching. Good 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

A Small Light in a Dark Hole

I teach high school in a high poverty area. At parent-teacher conferences, I am lucky if 3 of my students' parents show up. It's a sad truth, and it disappoints me as an educator. However, every now and then, there are people who come along who make everything better.

There is a parent volunteer in my classroom this year (my first one ever!) who gives not only me hope in the future of this poor district, but also gives a glimmer of hope to my students. She comes nearly every day and helps the students who are behind learn to read and write. I wish that she could be added to the payroll, because in my eyes, and in the students' eyes: she is a true teacher.

Her warmth and caring disposition show us that there is hope for these disadvantaged students. She helps them and makes them feel better about themselves. This parent makes me feel good about coming to work, and I thank her whole-heartedly.

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