Depressed because I can't get a teaching job

[DenMig]

One thing I can say about the district I teach in is that we try to hire the best candidate regardless of degree. I am a science teacher and am always part of the interview committee for science positions and we have never been told not to select the candidate that would cost more money. I believe that does happen elsewhere, but not every district ignores teachers with a masters degree.

 

[Callie]

Wish you lived closer to where my mom is. They are always hiring teachers. Its a revolving door. Not sure about in the social studies department.

But since I have a mom who teaches, I understand where you are coming from. She had to move all the way to Southern Florida from Indiana for her first job...then they let her go after 2 years. She finally got one back home, but she couldn't ever move anywhere, because places wouldn't want to pay her what she was making then.

 

[Aliceacc]

Are you close enough that you could consider getting licensed in NY? We ARE required to get a Master's Degree, so it might help your chances.

Also, let's take a look at your resume. Can we assume that it represents absolutely everything you bring to the table? Does it highlight your desire to work with extra curricular events? How about Debate... it's always brutal trying to find teachers who will devote that kind of time. Or model UN? Or yearbook?

And now, the secret weapon: the cover letter. I've found that too many teachers (and probably people in general, though I've only interviewed teachers) take the cover letter for granted. Instead, think of it as a major opportunity to really sell yourself to the reader. The resume is a pretty standard representation of what you've done. Your cover letter is your chance to show who you ARE. It should leave the reader thining "Now THIS is a teacher I really want to get to know!!!"

Also, here's what I want you to do: once your cover letter and resume are absolutely all they could be, I want you to hit Google. Apply online to every single district within an hour's commute. But you're far from done. Send a resume and cover letter to every single principal within that commute. (In NY, we're licensed 7-12. So my math certification would mean applying to middle schools and high schools.) Then google "Catholic schools in Trenton (or whatever) diocese.) If your license is 7-12, that means both Catholic elementary and high schools, since elementary typically goes up to 8th grade. Then do "Private schools in Trenton" (You're going to need a map, to find all the towns/ cities near you). Then "Religioius schools in Trenton. No, you typicaly DON'T have to be a member of the religion to ge hired. (I'm in a Catholic school, and a number of our teachers aren't Catholic. When I returned to the job force in 2005, after 5 years as a SAHM, I got offers from Lutheran and Society of Friends schools, even after asking both whether my being Catholic would be an issue.) Then "Charter schools in Trenton." You'll want to start a list so that you don't hit any school more than once. Make it a table on Word, with columns for followup and so on.

But, believe it or not, you're still not done. Go back to that map, and widen your commute by 10 minutes in every direction, then start over.

Get started... the hiring season in the tri-state area is just starting now. And, as much as there has ALWAYS been a huge glut in teachers-- like since the Vietnam war deferrments-- every single year, SOME teachers get hired. Right now is the time to ensure that you're one of them. So, yeah, I know it's a gorgeous Sunday. Ignore it, and get going on that cover letter and resume!!

Best wishes!!!