<p>I’m hoping I can get some advice from those of you who are teachers (or married to teachers…or parents of teachers. You get the idea.)</p>
<p>I worked as a research chemist for over 20 years (wonderful job!) and then for 7 years as a technical writer (not-so-wonderful). While working at my last job I attended school part-time to get my teaching certification. I just finished my student teaching, so now it’s time to start looking for a job. I am certified to teach high school Chemistry and English. </p>
<p>I’ve started applying for jobs in local school systems - mostly just filling out the on-line applications as was suggested at a recent job fair. I am on several local employment-focused mailing lists (mostly science-teaching related) and I have a decent network of local teachers. I’ve been to two teacher job fairs to talk with recruiters and distribute my resume.</p>
<p>I have been told that most of the high school teaching jobs here won’t post until June, but I want to make sure I hit the ground running. (And as for the local job market for science teachers: it seems uneven. I’ve heard horror stories, but others have been extremely optimistic. I’m guessing the truth is somewhere in between.) Any job-hunting advice from you teachers? Any phrases or themes I should avoid in my applications and essays? Any sources of employment I should check out? Any suggestions or warnings?</p>
<p>Your most likely source for a job is in the school where you did your student teaching. At the very list, see if you can get sub jobs there for the rest of this year, to get some experience and to keep you visible. </p>
<p>As for interviews, have ready answers to “what do you like most about teaching?” and “what do you like least about teaching?” For me, it was “the kids who challenge everything you say and make you think” and “22-minute lunches.” Before you go for an interview, make sure you’ve researched the current hot buttons in that school district. If they’re implementing the Common Core, you should know how you’d adjust your curriculum to meet that standard.</p>
<p>I spent two years as a bio tech (terrible job for me), ten years as a tech writer (loved it), ten years as a chem teacher (loved it). Now DH and I have a bicycle business (ten years now). </p>
<p>Lol - “22 minute lunches!” I may steal that!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the school (and district) where I student taught will not be hiring chemistry teachers this fall - declining enrollment and teachers returning from leave took care of that. I’m already on the sub list and will be subbing for the rest of the school year (and into next, if that’s the way things evolve.)</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion about Common Core - I’m pretty familiar with it from my English classes and have already worked up a chemistry-related response if asked. Out here there’s a lot of buzz about Next Generation Science Standards, so I’m prepared for that, too. </p>
<p>I don’t know about high school level, but when I was the PTA member of a hiring committee we had all the teachers do sample lessons. It was quite eye-opening - some were great, some not so much. One teacher was wonderful at engaging the students, but spoke substandard English. (I doubt that will be a problem for you!) Anyway, I guess, I’d suggest you ask local school now what they are going to expect from you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip, mathmom. One of my teacher friends warned me about sample lessons - at this point, I’d be thrilled to do a sample lesson, because that would mean I’d made it to the interview stage! </p>
<p>I agree with dmd77, if you don’t have one yet, get a sub license . </p>
<p>There are some schools that you can be a permanent sub, working at a school everyday. I would recommend applying broadly, through your city’s DOE, charter schools, private schools (in NYC, they will give you service credit for prior teaching experience before you came to the NYC DOE). Hiring depends on where you live at the NYC DOE, the open market hiring system (transfer plan) opened last week where principals who have openings will post the openings.</p>
<p>Network, network network. Talk to teachers, friends, associates, administrators, other parents and let them know that you are looking for a job. While they may not have an opening in their school, they may know someone who is hiring and will pass your stuff along. Check to see if there are any new schools opening where you live. Have your sample lessons ready. Know the course offerings as it pertains to science at the schools where you are interested teaching. If you can get a special education, bilingual extension, that would also be great, because this is where the greatest shortages are going to be.</p>
<p>In my local HS, which my kids attended, a chemistry teacher, who both my kids had was awarded for a unique teaching approach. She does not lecture in class, but posts her video lectures on line, to be watched as homework. Class time is spent in small groups and she is available to help students an innovative approach for which she has been recognized. I believe it is known a “the flipped classroom.”</p>
<p>Thanks, sybbie and merlin, for your suggestions. One of our local districts uses flipped instruction! Sybbie, I’m on the sub list here (haven’t had a chance to sub yet since I just finished student teachings) and hope I can get more classroom experience and exposure to different school systems that way.</p>
<p>I was a second-career teacher. A good interview line, when discussing the value of my life experience, was when I told a principal, “What I know could fill a book, and what I don’t know could fill another book.” She brightened at that line. I wanted her to know that I was valuable for my ability to talk readily to parents and knew things about family life pressures on students. At the same time, I wanted her to know that – like any newly certified teacher – I was open to her guidance, to be evaluated and take critiques positively. </p>
<p>As I got onto the faculty, it was apparent in two schools that I had to find my unique niche. To find advice and guidance relevant to newbie teachers, I bonded with the youngest teachers, or at least showed my interest in them. For social comraderie, I had more in common with veteran teachers who enjoyed talking about their own families/spouses/children as well as classroom topics. It was important to bond and be accepted by both groups. You might be able to translate that into an interview sound-byte somehow, if you can say things as “curiosities” or “experiences” not talking about age which is discriminatory. </p>
<p>scout59, I don’t know much about how to get teaching jobs, but I do have a suggestion. Most large schools these days have science “research” programs. These programs have science teachers leading them, and with your experience you would be a great candidate. Even at schools without formal programs, you could serve as a guide for students interested in doing research projects. This might be something to mention in your letters/interviews.</p>
<p>abasket, in our area, it is generally the only way that school systems advertise positions. It costs a little more for the schools to use it but it yields better candidates and it cuts to the chase. The only people using it are looking for school related positions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! I like your perspective, @paying3tuitions, especially the part about being part of two different subcultures - being a new teacher but also someone with more life experience. I found that to be true when I was student teaching, too. (I told my students that you’re never too old to be a student!) And I may steal your “what I don’t know could fill a book” answer.</p>
<p>NYMom - Good idea! I am looking into summer science programs now - too late for this summer, but it’s definitely something I could mention in interviews and something to keep in mind for next year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link, EPTR. It looks like it’s not used much in my state, but it seems to be useful for other states. In my area, most public school districts have their own sites (some are grouped into consortia) for posting and applying for jobs. </p>
<p>Have examples of lessons that you’ve done as a student teacher (or even ideas that you have for specific lessons). At my most recent interview, every question that was asked ended with “and a specific example of how you accomplished that”. I got the job, by the way!</p>
<p>If you are in WA or willing to move here, I have a specific foundation which supports a specific school with a STEM focus and which has hired former scientists/engineers, etc who have become teachers. I cannot recommend it highly enough. PM me if you are interested.</p>
<p>A quick update - I have my first interview on Friday! Right now I’m researching the district and cramming my brain full of cr**, but I wanted to thank you all for your suggestions and help!</p>