<p>My daughter will be graduating as a special ed/gen ed teacher next year. As the issue is bleak in NYC for potential jobs, are there any things that she can do in advance of her graduation to make her exceptionally appealing as a new teacher graduate applicant?</p>
<p>Has she thought to spend a summer at a Breakthrough program? D1 got a spot relatively late in the season and spent the summer after her junior year in college in the Atlanta program.</p>
<p>[Breakthrough</a> Atlanta](<a href=“http://www.breakthroughatlanta.org/]Breakthrough”>http://www.breakthroughatlanta.org/)</p>
<p>Not in NYC. Perhaps she should consider getting certified in New Jersey and applying in areas like Newark.</p>
<p>Gain as much experience working with kids as she possibly can…Camp counseling, volunteering with after school programs, etc, etc…</p>
<p>I’m assuming she still has to do her student teaching experience. Principals are more likely to hire student teachers who have done exemplary work. She should be prepared to be a great student teacher every day and ask her building principal to come in and observe her in action. Then, even if there are no vacancies in that building, the principal is able to write an informed letter of recommendation for her. Those letters carry some weight.</p>
<p>Being prepared to relocate in order to get a job is also a good idea.</p>
<p>I am a special ed/science teacher in large suburban HS. HS and MS are almost always looking for special ed teachers who can also teach in a content area esp math and science. She might want to look into seeing what it would take to get certified in one of those areas. In our state once you are certified you can take the PRAXIS test in many areas to add additional certifications. There is also a big push to improve reading skills and if she could get certified as a reading specialist that might also improve her employability. Oftentimes, in our district, new teachers will work as a paraprofessional for a year or two until a job opens up. This gives them an advantage because they are already in the district.</p>
<p>Perhaps doing teach for America to gain experience? Something potentially principals would want for their schools.</p>
<p>Substitute Teach</p>
<p>Is there any way to increase chances of getting an interview and to ace the interview?</p>
<p>
It’s not that easy to substitute teach in NYC. You have to be both nominated to be eligible and then put on the list at individual schools to have a good shot at being called.</p>
<p>If she doesn’t land a job ahead of time, then she should volunteer as much as possible at the school. She should get to know the principal and the people who work there and be very helpful. She should be willing to help out in the classrooms as well as in the office. Over the past 22 years I have seen many people secure a position by doing this.</p>
<p>The problem with volunteering here is that you often have to do so through an organized program because of security issues. It’s certainly not impossible, but it can take some effort.</p>
<p>Get a summer job with the school district doing anything. Does she have to be in NYC? She may have better luck outside of the city in smaller communities.</p>
<p>Where does she stand on certification?</p>
<p>Be willing/able to accept a part time slot if necessary. Or longterm sub for a leave.
There is usually staff movement during the course of the year and a FT slot may open up.</p>
<p>There are some good suggestions already. While still in college she should work on her Reading Endorcement and ELL/ESOL certification. Learn as much as she can about the Common Core Standards.</p>