How Can You Land That Teacher Job?

Landing a teaching job can be hard, but here is some advice to make it easier:

I had a really hard time finding my first teaching job. I found myself sending out a lot of resumes, but not getting a lot of interviews. So, that's when I went to njhire.com. I posted my resume, and can you believe that a district actually called ME?!

When I think of finding a teaching job, I think of schools being swamped with resumes-- I've never thought of them actually looking on site's like that! So, I highly recommend websites like njhire.com!

I tried to make sure that my resume proved what kind of teacher I am. I put in my cover letter that I was creative and very much into teaching with technology. I think that really was a plus.

After getting interviewed-- be patient. But also make sure at the same time that you are following up on your interviews.

This post is part of the Teaching Jobs Portal: “How to land a Teacher Job”. What was your journey like to become a teacher? If you’d like to share your experience with other aspiring teachers please see this post for more information

DRA2

So, my school will be implementing the DRA2 program at my school. Yet another new program.. ahh... but, this I'm actually excited about. We'll get to learn the students' *true* reading level. That could be really helpful.

Anyone out there in cyberspace have any advice on how to administer the DRA2?

Un-Valentine's Day

My poor students. They were so excited about our Valentine's celebration. Then.. the snow came. Yes, another snow day. What are we at now... 84 snow days now? Sure seems like it!

Usually, I do not do a Valentine's Celebration. There comes an age when they are too old for that. But, some still do like to exchange the occasional valentine, so I allow time at the end of the day to exchange them, or just to do a little activity. But-- this year-- there was going to be.... doughnuts. <3

Ahhh... doughnuts...

A parent had just gotten a doughnut maker and asked if she could bring it in and let the kids make their own doughnuts with pink and red icing. HELLO. There's never a question when it comes to doughnuts.

Apparently Mother Nature had another idea... She's trying to save my hips, and I don't like it.

La-La Land

Someone help. Too many of my students have left me for La-La land. I can be standing in front of the room in a super-hero costume doing an a-list song and dance... and they would have NO IDEA.

No matter how awesome my lesson is... no matter what is coming out of my mouth ("J., you've won a MILLION DOLLARS!!!)... they will NOT BE PAYING ATTENTION!!!

Now, fellow super-teachers out there, I know I'm not alone. What is the deal?! Are we really living in a society where children cannot hold their own attention for more than 2 minutes? What will become of them if they cannot stay focused enough to hear the end of my sentence?!

Any suggestions are MORE than welcome........!!!

Show

I found out today that my grade level will be putting on a show for the school. I, for one, am very excited!! We are the only grade level who does NOT do something "special" like that as a whole grade level at the end of the year.

The students will do a variety of things-- mainly dealing with music. They'll play their instruments, sing songs, and I would absolutely love to have them do a little dance or something like that.

Some teachers may gripe that they are not interested in doing this "extra" stuff. Bah Humbug!! The kids are super-excited, and they are only young once! Let's have fun!

Overload

Okay, so I'm on overload. I know that once you become a teacher, it is expected that you will have a whole heap of work to do. The "to-do" list is on-going, and never has an end. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. But, how much is too much?

With all of the new programs being implemented (ie. flexible groups, project read, RTI, Learnia, etc. etc. etc. etc.) at the SAME TIME, it is so hard to keep up with all of that in addition to the usual crazy workload we have.

I'm not saying that we are being 'overworked.' I'm not saying that we are being asked to do things that we should not be doing. I'm just saying that implementing so many new things at once may not be such a good idea. I'm seeing teachers becoming very frustrated and that usually ends up with people saying JUST FORGET IT!!! And we certainly don't want that.

Let's just take it one day at a time, shall we?

Frustration

One of the points of my blog is to share good ideas with other educators. Another point of this blog is so that I also don't forget these ideas (haha). Another point is to track my ideas and emotions so that I can look back on my career and remember the little things. Another point is to LET OUT MY FRUSTRATION!!!!!!!

I began teaching an extra program today, and the curriculum is very frustrating to me. It has NOTHING to do with what my students are supposed to be learning about, and it's way too babyish. Which means that I will have to supplement and change everything-- which is NOT my job description, and I am NOT getting paid for it!!

Welcome to teaching. :)