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!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

As someone who hires teachers and parapros, I usually advise women not to talk about their families in the interview or cover letter, but in this case I might advise differently.

What if you said something about how you loved teaching, but found that in order to meet your own high standards for yourself it took many hours, and that while your child (I would specifically includes that word so that they know you have only one) is in school you'd prefer to work closer to a 40 hour week.

Emphasize that you are good at teamwork, that you have no problems taking direction from others, and that you've worked with staff of all ages (I'll admit that I sometimes hesitate to put a veteran parapro in with a young new teacher -- sometimes that's wonderful, but sometimes it's a disaster).

Good luck!

 

[llori7]

Thanks for your help! I agree that I never put personal info on my cover letter. However, this time I feel I must. I figured I applied 6 times since May for this position---so far they have hired 6 people. I have not even got called for an interview. I know why I am not getting called, but I need them to see that they don't have to worry about me leaving for a better job or anything like that. I figure what do I have to lose--they still won't call me??? LOL

 

[llori7]

As someone who hires teachers and parapros, I usually advise women not to talk about their families in the interview or cover letter, but in this case I might advise differently.

What if you said something about how you loved teaching, but found that in order to meet your own high standards for yourself it took many hours, and that while your child (I would specifically includes that word so that they know you have only one) is in school you'd prefer to work closer to a 40 hour week.

Emphasize that you are good at teamwork, that you have no problems taking direction from others, and that you've worked with staff of all ages (I'll admit that I sometimes hesitate to put a veteran parapro in with a young new teacher -- sometimes that's wonderful, but sometimes it's a disaster).

Good luck!

Just wanted to let you know I got the interview. It is in a special ed classroom. Do you have any tips for me? I want to get this job so bad!!!

Thanks for all your help!