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. :)

Book Reports

My students' biography book reports were due today. I love book report day!!!

The students do, too. They love to listen and learn about new topics and books. They also LOVE to see each others' projects.

This time around they had to create a paper doll to show their biography person. At the end of each presentation, I allow for 3 questions or comments. Little AM raised her hand and asked "What was the main idea of your book?"

HOW CUTE. I love you, Little AM!!!

Observation

I was observed today. I thought it kind of weird since we JUST got back into the swing of things. But I guess it was okay, since I'm still riding the "honeymoon" wave. The kids always come back after Christmas break focused and ready to learn. I try to stretch that as long as I can!!!

My observation went well. I did a fraction lesson. For some reason I feel like I got observed last year on this same lesson?! I have my post-ob meeting tomorrow. I hope it goes over well!

This also leads me to ask the question-- when you are observing another teacher, what do you look for?

This question was posed tonight in my new class (wahoo!). We were asked to either blog about it, or put it up on a discussion board. So, here I am.

If I were observing a teacher, I would look for classroom management above and beyond all else. I feel that this is the key to good teaching. If you can manage your classroom well, then these children are like putty in your hands!

I'd also be looking for unique teaching styles. I wouldn't want to see a teacher simply teaching out of the text book. Specifically, I'd be looking for hands-on activities, and extension activities.

The classroom should be inviting and the teacher should show kindness towards her students. I'd look for modern teaching techniques, such as the TESA techniques we've all come to know so well and love!

What would you look for?

Happy New Year!

So, 2009... it's been real. You gave me some pretty rad moments... but I'm so ready for 2010!!

In 2010, I will enter grad school. Yes... I will.

In 2010, my desk will stay clean. (I say this every year)

In 2010, I will have a brighter outlook on things.

and... in 2010... I will continue to do my best and be the best teacher I can be!!!

American Education

Is there hope for the future of American Education? I know there is. Despite the constant obstacles that are thrown in our teachers' way, there still remains hope that there is a bright future for our children.
There are the best teachers in my child's school. They go out of their way to ensure that my child is getting the best education she deserves. I will never forget in the beginning of this school year, my child was feeling anxious about attending a new classroom with a new teacher. This teacher not only wrote us a letter over the summer, but also made several phone calls, and even invited us into her classroom! My daughter was able to meet her, and see the classroom, which lowered her anxiety level tenfold. She was also able to choose where she'd sit, and see which of her friends would be in the class with her.
It is because of teachers like this that I know there is hope for the future of American education.
This post is part of the MAT@USC Hope for the Holidays event. Did you have an experience or witness something in 2009 which gave you hope for the future of American Education? If so, please see this post for more information on how to share it.

Grad School?

I have been contemplating going back to grad school... ?? ahh! The decision terrifies me. There are pros and cons, and I feel like laying them all out here will help with my decision.

Pros
*knowledge-- I will become much more knowledgable in what I do, and will keep me up to date with the latest in the educational scene.
*doors open-- I can't imagine coming out of the classroom, but you never know what the future holds. Perhaps later in life I will tire of the every day hassles of being a classroom teacher, and maybe I'll want to do something else, like guidance, administration, or supervision... Always helpful to have something to fall back on.
*money-- this one might be a joke lol... the difference between BA and MA pay is peanuts, but I guess every little bit helps
*networking-- I'll meet more educators. I'm sure, in my classes, and meeting other teachers always helps in getting more ideas.

Cons
*money-- why does this one show up on both? money is the root of all evil, I tell you. In this case, I'd have to shell out a lot of clams for a degree. Yes, I get some back from my district, but not until I've finished the course.
*time-- a lot of time that I have been spending with my family and on my current classroom duties will have to be sacrificed to do well in my classes.

Hm... are those really the only cons? Maybe my decision is already made for me... ?!

Volunteers

I'm curious about what other teachers do about parent volunteers?

I've always welcomed parents into my classroom. I figure I have nothing to hide, right? I also feel that my students' parents and I should work as a team towards our one common goal: helping their child work to their potential.

Many teachers have the opinion that this teamwork should work as follows: teacher takes charge during the school day, parents take over at home. Why not intertwine the two? Show the students that all of these people are working together and care about them... and that all we do is FOR them?

To all those educators out there who are skeptical, I say give it a try!! Don't let the parent intimidate you. YOU are the professional, and you know what you are doing! Accept the help. The parents AND your students will thank you!

Clickers

I am so excited that my district was able to purchase a set of Clickers for my school!! For those of you who do not know, Clickers is a program that allows students to answer questions projected onto the board through a remote control device. The program will save their answers for you to later review. It's so cool!

What's great, is that the kids think it's "so cool" too! It's bringing 21st century technology right into my classroom! What I also love about them is that rather than calling on one student to answer a question, this records EVERY students answer!

Another awesome function is the reports section. Under reports, you can get actual percentage grades for report cards among many other types of reports. Another function is that you can print out individualized study guides for each student based on questions that they got wrong.

This is such an exciting addition to my classroom!! I can't wait to use them more often!

Website

How do you utilize your classroom website in the classroom?

I use my classroom website as an online classroom. I find it to be one of the best tools that I use to communicate with my students' parents. On it, I put homework assignments, book report assignments, as well as useful links to help students with the skills we are learning in spelling, math, reading, science, and and social studies.

I also put a parent resources page on my site, to help parents who may be struggling with their child. Whether it be with homework, learning or attention issues, or just tips to raising a good student-- they can find it there.

Finally, I wanted to make sure that I gave back. There is a teacher resources page where I share good websites and ideas that can maybe help other teachers out there.

I decided to use a teacherweb, but may decide to be more creative this summer when I have more time to look into it!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, EduBloggers!!

Halloween is one of the biggest perks to teaching elementary school, don't you think? You get a chance to see all your little friends come dressed up in their fantasy worlds. Lots of clowns, power rangers, supermen, rockstars, and Obamas ready to parade in the infinite circle around the poop-ridden fields behind the school. Fun, yes?

I, this year, was a clown. Not so original, but I have never been a clown before- so it was a first for me!!

And, why is it, that Halloween is the only function that you will see EVERY SINGLE parent of the children in your class? Academic days... back to school night.. conferences... eh.. but-- HALLOWEEN??? SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Website

Hello, fellow bloggers out there.

I wanted to share a new website with you-- www.starfall.com.

Check it out.. my students went on it today and had a blast.

Computers

Teachers, I have learned something new today. In computers. YES, me. I am SO excited!!!

I dutifully took my students to computer class this morning. They immediately began typing away on their typing program. I started to make my rounds to make sure they were using those dear home-row keys, when the computer teacher called me over. She then showed me how to turn off the auto-format when making a table.

O---M---G!!!

Now, many of you may be thinking WHO CARES??!! And you may also be wondering why I think that this is blog-worthy... Well, my friends, I ask you-- have you ever found yourself cursing at the computer while typing your spelling words into a table... backspacing with every word to fix the auto-corrected capital letter?

Well-- if you have... let me make you just as excited as I am. It's a little trick called:

FORMAT--- CHANGE CASE...

Oh, how I love learning new things...

Don't Rain on My Parade!!!

This has been such a terrible week for me. And it's only Wednesday. Did you ever just have someone come and rain on your parade?

A co-worker and I have been working really hard on a current fund-raiser for our school. It's going over REALLY well, and we have been super excited about it. Rightfully so, right? We have brought many learning resources into our school as well as a lot of much needed technology. To say that we were excited and proud of ourselves is an understatement.

Then comes the rain. And when it rains in my school-- it pours. There are certain teachers of the "older" generation who are so closed-minded. Why can't they be more receptive to new ideas. I understand that change is not easy-- but it's needed, ESPECIALLY in education, where trends change more than anywhere else in the world.

It's put such a sour taste in our mouths. We feel like we should stop doing anything extra for the school. Which is not what we want (nor what we will do...), because the children will be missing out-- and they are the ones that we are all there for, after all.

And it's only Wednesday.

First Day of School

The first day of school was FABULOUS. My little friends filed in as expected with their shiny new backpacks and perfect new hairdos. They angelically sat at their freshly made desks and dutifully listened to every word I said.

First day bliss.

But... would I be a terrible teacher if I said that I am not in love with them yet? I miss my old friends. I see them in other teachers' lines, and I want to yank them out and bring them back to mine. I miss their wiggling in the seats, their calling out, their laughter, their perfect handwriting-- I miss it all about them! The good and the bad!

It's normal, though. The mourning period will last a while... and my new shiny class will have a just as special spot in my heart.