Any teachers out there?? Need help with a cover letter....

[llori7]

Hi, I need some help. I am a former teacher. I taught for 2 years and then had ds6. I have been home with him and my licensed has expired. I am applying to be a full time instrucational assistant at our school. It says you must be highly qualified having passed the parapro test or have an associates degree. Well, I have a bachelors degree in education and I can't seem to get an interview. I have applied for the position 6 times in the past few months. They are at different schools in the district, but I can't seem to get an interview.

How do I portray that this is what I want to do? I don't want to go back to school and get my masters, but I want to be in the school. I have no desire to be a full time teacher again. The pay range is like 13-18 an hour. I will take the lowest on the pay scale b/c it is still good. I don't know what to tell them in my letter to make them see I am not taking this as a stepping stone. I REALLY want this job. I don't want them to hire someone else b/c they think they have to pay me more!

The resume was sent to the HR director. It says no phone calls. I was thinking about sending it to the principal. What do you think?

Please help....I don't know how to word it in my letter!!

Thanks!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I work as an instructional assistant in my son's school district. If your district is like ours, the school principals don't have anything to do with hiring classified staff. The HR department handles reviewing resumes, testing, interviewing and placing candidates into the various schools.

Here's a brief explanation of how the hiring process for assistants works in our district. The HR department maintains a list of qualified candidates. To get on the list, you have to fill out an application, pass an interview and a test (the tests are different for those who have an associate's degree or above and those who don't to meet NCLB requirements). You get a score for your interview and written test. You are placed on the eligibilty list in order of your composite score.

When a position becomes available, it is first posted internally for any current employees who want to change positions. If there are no takers after 2 weeks, they refer to the list. The first person on the list is contacted and offered the job. If they don't want it, they'll go on to the next person.

If you haven't been contacted by the district based on your resume and cover letters, you might drop by the district office and ask for an application. Mail (or drop-off) the completed application with your resume and cover letter. Explain that you are entering a new phase in your career and are interested in becoming an instructional assistant.

Hope this helps.

 

[llori7]

Thanks for your help! I have applied 6 different times they have been hiring this position since May. 4 at the intermediate school, 1 at the elementary, and 1 at the primary. It just says to mail your cover letter/resume to the HR director. I have never been called after that. I changed my letter around. I mailed it to the HR director again and the principals the 2 schools hiring right now. I figure what do I have to lose? At least I know I am trying!!