Getting a job as a teacher is brutal let me tell you. I live in Ontario Canada and right now we are undergoing a terrible stretch where it’s almost impossible to find a job. Not only are there few positions but the competition for those jobs is immense with many excellent and fully qualified teachers looking for work. I’m one of the lucky ones who actually has a Long Term Appointment at a school albeit on a semester-by-semester basis. There are thousands of teachers out there right now who can’t even get their foot in the door and it’s really unfair but that’s life. Teacher hiring is very cyclical so this will pass, I’ll get a job soon but as you can relate to, it can be very tough to wait.
I’ve posted below some excellent tips you can use to find that first or new teaching job but if you are interested, there are thousands of jobs out there, you just need to know where to look and what to do when you’ve found something of interest.
This posting was originally posted by edutopia.org and can be found HERE:
Whether you are unhappy in your current school, a newbie looking at the world of education with wide eyes and a hopeful grin or about to jump into education as a second-career seeker, you are entitled to work in a place that “gets” you and wants what you have to offer. Your goal is not to take the first job that is offered, but to get offered a job that will make you happy.
These are the prime job-hunting months for teachers, because that’s when principals find out who’s not coming back. There are teachers out there who even get hired two days before the start of the fall semester. But if you want choice yourself, get going now.
To help you jump ahead of the pack, I’ve prepared these tips that are, admittedly, not for the faint of heart, or for those who feel compelled to follow the hiring system set up by school districts. These eight steps are reserved for you maverick job seekers who are ready to hunt and gather your dream position:
Step 1: Create a List of Activities, Classes, and Electives You Have Taught
Also, list those you have not taught but are interested in. Use this list as a guide to find schools that have programs that cater to your interests. They may also be looking just for you.
Step 2: Make Lists of Areas and Districts You’d Like to Work In
Start with your state’s department of education Web site, and investigate your counties of interest. Look at maps and draw circles around areas you would be willing to commute to and from. Quality of life, after all, starts with downsizing your commute.
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