Attention Teachers: help me get a job!!

[Megan23]

Hey all you teachers out there, I need some advice. I'm in the process of finding and applying for jobs right now, and I was wondering if anybody had any tips or hints to offer. I'm in Arizona, applying for secondary drama teaching jobs. These are few and far between!!!!

In addition, my DH is looking for his first teaching job as well, in high school choral music. We don't have to work at the same school, though that would be ideal, but we do need to find jobs within commuting distance. We are more than willing to move anywhere within the state, or even to nearby southern California or Nevada.

A new high school that is opening in the fall has full time openings for both drama and choral music, so I'm really hoping for us both to get those jobs. The district also pays the best in the state!

Does anybody have any ideas on how to get the job? I have a scheduled screening interview at a job fair the district is participating in next week, as does my DH. I've already sent in my application online, and I'm getting together my supplementary materials (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc), and I'm also putting together a portfolio to bring to the interview. In addition to all that, I've been reading up on the school and district to be up on current happenings. Anything else I should be doing? What is a screening interview usually like? Should I dress up in a suit?

All advice appreciated, thank you!!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

not sure of any ideas--ill be going through this next year (i graduate next may) but good luck!

 

[Megan23]

One more thing...

The posting for this job I want was posted on Feb. 7th, and it says that it closes tomorrow. Does that mean that they stop accepting applications past that date? If so, it looks good for me! If not, what does it mean?

 

[KarenB]

This is my third year of teaching and I remember in college it was stressed SO much to have this huge, wonderful, amazing, beautiful portfolio. Well, no one asked to look at it. Actually, it sat on a chair beside me. I would have rather explained myself verbally. BUT, I would still take a portfolio with me-minus the frills and fluff, but with more "meat."
I had a list of questions written down to ask. Don't be afraid to pull out a paper with the questions listed. Funny, but as I look back they weren't very good questions. After only three years of experience, I know much better questions to ask!
Good luck!
Karen

oh-I wanted to add-don't be afraid to pause to think about an answer after a question is asked.

 

[Caradana]

Absolutely wear a suit! Navy blue skirt suit, navy blue pantyhose, cute shoes, 1" heel, colorful silk scarf tied around your neck. That would be my recommendation. Look bright, fresh, receptive and attentive. Keep reciting that mantra to yourself in your mind --- bright, fresh, receptive, attentive. Bring prepared questions. Finally, if you get asked how you handle conflict, say that you bring donuts to the faculty room and stay out of conflict. That answer got my mother and my aunt teaching jobs.

 

[Sonya]

Good one about the donuts! LOL!

Yes wear a suit and don't forget to send a thank you card after. Really, the interviews I have sat in on, the principal and I were looking for someone who seemed organized and who seemed to know what they were talking about. I had one woman who came in who refused to speak French and then talked about how her Russian was so much better. You don't do that when applying for a French position.
Try to remember some of the "buzz words" from your studies. When I interviewed it was "cooperative learning" so I stressed how I used that a lot in my student teaching. In my area currently it is Ruby Payne and Marzano that is valued. Find out what your district is focusing on and read up on it.
They also want someone who is a team player, someone who is adaptable and open and willing to work with others but who is not a pushover with the kids. (especially in secondary)
Good luck! If you have any more questions feel free to ask!

 

[Jockaroo]

I was asked to write an essay regarding my "philosophy of teaching". I was applying for an English position so they may have used this to find out if I could write, spell, and use proper punctuation. You will be asked how you handle discipline problems. I was asked this in every interview. Cite examples of how you handled problems and issues successfully in your practice/student teaching experience. Do wear a nice suit with neat hair and nails. Basically, look professional and well-groomed. I attended many career fairs where the participants looked like they rolled out of bed and pulled on their wrinkled, dirty jeans from the day before. Smile, make eye contact, and try to relax. You may wish to bring extra copies of your resume/vita in case you are placed in a group interview setting. Good luck to both you and your hubby!

 

[luvdisney81]

I too am looking for a drama teaching position anywhere in the world...serioulsy, If you know of a position PLEASE tell me, I am single, childless and willing to move anywhere.

Here are some tips from a workshop which had 5 district hiring people:
* Send a thank you note within 5 days
* You do not need an objective on your resume, they know the objective...to get a job. Use that space to make you look good, your philosophy will come later
* Dress for success, conservative, neat. Nails should be plain or neutral shade, hair must be out of your face!
* No pedagogical and theatrical terms, and use them.
* Show that you are a flexible, group minded person
* Smile

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I think LuvDisney meant "KNOW pedagogical and theatrical terms and use them," not "No terms..". Usually spelling isn't a biggie but this means all the difference in the world.
What was your minor? There are very few schools that hire a drama teacher JUST for speech and drama; often there isn't enough demand to teach one of those classes every period. I hope you minored in English or something else; reason being while most schools only have 1 drama person, they have lots of English teachers. I had an English major with a drama minor, but my best buddy at school has had the drama position for 20 years (but only 2 periods of speech/theatre and 3 of English) so I have never done it in practice. And a good thing too! She works like a dog, many nights, etc. My best friend from HS is a drama teacher where I live, and he is lucky enough to have speech, play production, basic drama, and acting/directing classes to fill up his day, but that is RARE.
I hope things work out for you. Having the two of you with such specialized majors may mean a few years before you both have jobs. You may have to sub and have something part-time to pay the rent as well.
Robin M.

 

[Megan23]

Thank you all so much for your advice- very helpful! I will remember: send thank you card, have questions prepared, know answer to discipline question and mention examples, wear suit.

What does everyone else think about the "no objective on resume" idea? I agree that it's superfluous, but don't most employers expect that to appear on a professional resume? Opinions?

 

[Megan23]

This is my third year of teaching and I remember in college it was stressed SO much to have this huge, wonderful, amazing, beautiful portfolio. Well, no one asked to look at it. Actually, it sat on a chair beside me. I would have rather explained myself verbally. BUT, I would still take a portfolio with me-minus the frills and fluff, but with more "meat."
I had a list of questions written down to ask. Don't be afraid to pull out a paper with the questions listed. Funny, but as I look back they weren't very good questions. After only three years of experience, I know much better questions to ask!
Good luck!
Karen

oh-I wanted to add-don't be afraid to pause to think about an answer after a question is asked.

Thanks Karen! What are some of those questions that you would ask now that you've had experience teaching?

 

[Megan23]

I think LuvDisney meant "KNOW pedagogical and theatrical terms and use them," not "No terms..". Usually spelling isn't a biggie but this means all the difference in the world.
What was your minor? There are very few schools that hire a drama teacher JUST for speech and drama; often there isn't enough demand to teach one of those classes every period. I hope you minored in English or something else; reason being while most schools only have 1 drama person, they have lots of English teachers. I had an English major with a drama minor, but my best buddy at school has had the drama position for 20 years (but only 2 periods of speech/theatre and 3 of English) so I have never done it in practice. And a good thing too! She works like a dog, many nights, etc. My best friend from HS is a drama teacher where I live, and he is lucky enough to have speech, play production, basic drama, and acting/directing classes to fill up his day, but that is RARE.
I hope things work out for you. Having the two of you with such specialized majors may mean a few years before you both have jobs. You may have to sub and have something part-time to pay the rent as well.
Robin M.

Nope, no minor for me. I'm really only interested in teaching theatre and maybe dance classes if the school wanted me to do that. Actually there are a lot of openings in Arizona now, and I've applied for several full time drama positions. Granted, there certainly aren't as many openings as a regular academic subject teacher. Plus, I don't even care about full time; I'd be just as happy, or maybe even happier, with a part time position!
Not worried at all about DH getting a job; there are lots of music openings.
We also don't want to wait TOO long before having children, so if I don't end up finding a job right away, I may put it off in favor of starting a family, but we'll see!

 

[LittleMissMickey]

Teaching jobs in Minnesota are so sparse that I came home from our job fair and cried in April! I saw a total of five openings in our Metro area and it really is quite large! I did get lucky enough to get a job in June, though, and would love to be a sounding board or share some ideas with you. I did backflips, but I am quite happy now!

PM me if you'd like!

Best of luck to you!

 

[DisTeach1]

Don't want to throw a damper on anyone's advice, but it sounds like advice for an accountant interviewing in 1989 when I interviewed out of college. A blue suit? Hello? One inch heels? Get real! Do you know what it all boils down to in a nutshell? Being yourself, being true to yourself, and clicking with the person you are interviewing with. None of these things you can fake. I am in my second year of teaching 6th grade at a middle school 1 mile from my house. I had interviewed at other schools, and tried my best to get hired. I put on my best face, wore a boring suit, gave the "right" answers, and didn't get hired. Finally, this came up. The vice-principal called me when I was least expecting it. I had a chance to be natural and myself. I laughed and gave real answers. I had a feeling even before the interview that I was going to get the job because I "clicked" with her and was completely natural. I went in to the interview dressed "business casual" and can honestly say it was the best interview I've ever had. I had the job before the day was over! And they chose me over more qualified applicants. All I'm saying is you can't force it. Be yourself. Really show what made you become a drama coach. And for God's sake, don't wear a blue suit. They'll think you want to teach business or something else.

 

[Megan23]

bump.