What Principals Want: A Guide For Getting Your First Teaching Job

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What Principals Want A Guide For Getting Your
First Teaching Job
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Who Are These People?

• Janice Traylor, Director
• Office of Field Experiences
• Kennesaw State University
• Kennesaw Hall
• Room 3221
• jtraylo2_at_kennesaw.edu
• 678-797-2236

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Guests

• Vicki Piedmont
• Hiring Supervisor
• Elementary Schools
• Cobb County School District
• vicki.piedmont_at_cobbk12.org
• Lynne Turner
• Executive Director Personnel
• Paulding County School District
• lturner_at_paulding.k12.ga.us

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Guests

• Trey Olson, Assistant Superintendent
• Personnel Management
• Cherokee County School District
• Lynne Turner, Executive Director
• Personnel
• Paulding County School District

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All Principals Want Teachers Who Are . . .

• Academically Prepared
• Certified
• Flexible
• Happy

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Where the Jobs Are . . .

• TEACHGEORGIA
• teachgeorgia.org
• School System Web Sites
• countyname.k12.ga.us
• JOB FAIRS
• KSU Career Center careerctr_at_kennesaw.edu

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You Cant Always Get What you Want.

• Elementary
• Most competitive areasK-3, PE, Art,Music
• Most desirable locationMetro area
• SO
• Take whats available and offered
• Go where the job is !
• But you can get what you needa JOB!

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You Cant Always Get What you Want.

• Middle/High School
• Most competitive areasHistory, PE, Art, Band
  
• Most desirable locationMetro Area
• SO
• Take whats available and offered.
• Go where the job is!
• But you can get what you needa JOB!

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What if I Dont Get an Offer?

• Dont Dispair.
• Hiring continues at least through the first 10
  days of school in January
• Be Seen in Action
• Take a supply position, parapro position,
• substitute position, After School Program
• THINK LONG TERM

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The Decision to HireBegins with the
School Districts Application

• Who reviews the application?
• Do principals see the application?
• Why isnt a resume enough?

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An Outstanding Application for a first-year
teacher tells the School System that the applicant

• Will be ELIGIBLE for a certificate on hire date.
• Has had supervised experiencesTOSS and Student
  Teaching ( where/when).
• Has extracurricular interests and has received
  special honors, recognition or distinction (post
  high school)
• Can write thoughtfully and accurately and
  proofreads.
• Has appropriate referencesCollaborating Teacher,
  University Supervisor, Other.
• Has accurate phone numbers, professional email
  addresses for you and your REFERENCES.
• Has a clear criminal background.

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• Are there any deal breakers on the application?

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So, now do I just wait?

• YES
• And while you wait
• Develop your resume and cover letter?
• Call schools and ask for interviews?
• Drop in schools with your resume and ask for
  interview?
• Network?

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Ponder These Questions

• Should I accept interviews at schools Im not
  interested in for the sake of practice?
• Should I try to sell myself in the interview?
• Should I take my portfolio to the interview?
• Should I be casual or totally business?
• If I had a horrible student teaching experience,
  should I reveal that?

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More to Ponder

• If I am in a high competition area, what can I
  do to boost my chances of getting a job offer?
• Take GACE in another content areageography,
  economics, political science, reading, etc.
• Add an endorsementSpecial Education, ESOL.
• Be willing, eager to take on an after school
  activitycheerleading!
• For Art and Music, send a resume to the County
  Supervisor of that area.
• If you are closely acquainted with a principal or
  teacher in the school system, ask that person to
  put in a word for you.
• Ask your collaborating teacher to recommend you
  to the principal.
• Finally . . .

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GET OFF MY SPACE
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INTERVIEW PHONE CALL!

• Professional MESSAGE on cell/home phone
• Lose the MUSIC!
• This is her/him.
• Name and Title of interviewer (may not be the
  principal)
• Date and Time of interview
• Thank caller

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BEFORE THE ACTUAL INTERVIEW . . .

• PLAN

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PLAN . . .

• COVER LETTER AND RESUME
• See Resume Packet
• Look neat and professional, cream/white paper, no
  more than two pages.
• Make several copies, keep in folder.
• Must have contact information for references
  email, best phone number, mailing address

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Plan

• ITEMS FROM THE PORTFOLIO
• Lesson Plans
• Project Plans and Rubrics
• Assessments
• Reflections
• Student Work
• Any item you are especially proud of
• MAKE COPIES AND PUT IN A FOLDER

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PLAN

• Something to ask about the school
• WEB PAGE
• Location of the school and drive time
• MAP QUEST/ACTUAL DRIVE
• Interview Outfit
• MACYS ONE-DAY SALE

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PLAN . . .

• RESPONSES TO ALL SORTS OF QUESTIONS
• See Preparing Interview Responses Being Ready
  for Anything

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A Planning Strategy for YOU

• Collaborate with Three to Five Colleagues
• Role play an interview. Maybe video it?
• Brainstorm classroom situations you could use as
  examples of a great/horrible lesson, good/bad
  behavior management, assessment, accommodation
  and motivation of diverse learners, use of
  technology, GETTING ALONG.

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Plan . . . Questions to ask the Interviewer

• What support is available for first-year
  teachers?
• Will I have a classroom in the building or in a
  mobile unit or will I float?
• What kind of technology is available for
  Teachers? Students? Support?
• Youve been very thorough. I dont have any
  questions at this point.
• When do you expect to make a decision about this
  position?

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The Interviewer May Ask

• Is there anything I have not asked you that you
  would like to share?
• (Have something ready)
• IF I OFFER THE POSITION TO YOU TODAY, WILL YOU
  TAKE IT?

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The Day of the INTERVIEW . . .

• Take with you the schools phone number,
  directions, interviewers name, your cell phone.
• Have resume and portfolio information in a
  folder. Have notes on questions to ask.
• Be on TIMEnot EARLYnot LATE.
• Dress like you knew you were going to an
  interview.
• AND . . .

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Turn Off Your CELL PHONE !

• Notice something in the lobby (student art work,
  trophies, award plaques) or some activity going
  on in the building or on campus.
• How does the school feel?
• Greet the school secretary with a smile.
• Greet interviewer with FIRM HANDSHAKE, DIRECT EYE
  CONTACT, CONFIDENT BODY LANGUAGE, APPROPRIATE
  VOICE LEVEL. Be aware of personal space.
• After the interview, thank the interviewer for
  the interview opportunity.
• Tell the secretary goodbye.

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• EXUDE
• CONFIDENCE

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The Day After the Interview . . .

• Hand write a thank-you note to the interviewer.
• Use professional correspondence card.
• Mail to interviewer.

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ANSWERS

• From the Horses Mouth