Career Corner
In this blog, members of the American Association for Employment in Education, a professional organization for college career-center directors and school district recruiters, provided career advice and discuss developments in the education job market. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: career advice and job huntjob hunt.
Career Advice
Opinion
The Three Question Interview
Most interviews begin with a time-wasting question such as: "Tell us something about yourself." Why? As the interviewer, you have the candidate's resume, cover letter, and some other documents like a portfolio, reference letters or surveys, transcripts, and test scores. What more do you need to know about a 22-year-old interviewing for their first teaching position?
Career Advice
Opinion
You Have Knowledge - What About Wisdom?
This is the time before the school starts to be reflective of your life up to this point. Have a real introspection and in-depth conversation to give yourself credit where deserved, face the facts when necessary, be aware of where you need development, and be informed and confident in your natural gifts and abilities.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
COACHELLA TICKETS!! WHERE DO I SIGN??
I like to know what incentives, marketing materials, and salaries they are offering. Last year I came across the most amazing teacher recruitment advertisement ever. It was so cool, I considered going back in the classroom, packing up my family, and moving to California. Going into my 20th year, I'm vested in insurance and retirement, I may have to reconsider.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
The Virtual Construct and Lifelong Learners
Current research and educational pundits theorize that burgeoning initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) and rapidly accelerating technological advances, that it will be incumbent upon students and the future generations of society to perpetually self-educate, prepare and nurture individual students in a process of lifelong learning. Virtual teaching is a new frontier in the evolution of education. Student and teacher preparedness is the best means by which to ensure the long-term viability of a free and independent democracy.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
So You're Going to Work!!
Working within your chosen profession of Teaching will bring you many many "ah-ha" moments as you reach those students who are hard to reach can certainly be life changing experiences. Embrace these times of work, be the master of your craft, work hard and watch the fruits of your labors be plentiful.
Career Advice
Opinion
On Your Mark, Get Ready, Search! Navigating Your Job Search as a First Year Teacher
Every school and school district is unique so, do your research and do not make assumptions.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
Education Re-imagined
The demands of the digital epoch require creative and innovative thinkers who are tasked and capable of finding unique solutions to complex problems. The future of innovation, the economy and ethical means of advancing the needs of humanity require students who are intellectually confident and emotionally secure in making mistakes while finding heuristic and complex answers to challenges facing humanity.
Career Advice
Opinion
The advantages of the self-motivated learner and the digital class
The demands of a post-modern society imply the need for students who are, in the words of Albert Einstein, "passionately curious" about their environs. Curious students are the best students. Technology and virtual learning paired with curiosity create abundant and dynamic learning opportunities for the 21st century classroom.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
To Resign or Not to Resign, that is the Question
Most experienced educators will tell you that no respectable teacher would resign their position in the middle of the school year. Some would say that it was unheard of, whether it was written in their contracts or not, it didn't matter. Today is a new day and resignations are part of the business. Realistically public education, for as much as we try to emulate other industries, a resignation impacts more than a production line. It impacts children, no matter the position.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Teaching in the Tech Age
Homo-sapiens are known for their adaptability, and those that are reflective and introspective enough can self-learn by making mistakes. In the digital epoch, in which we currently reside, the role of teacher/learner takes on a much greater significance. The geometrically accelerating tech advances requires a new sort of person. One who can alter their direction and shift to essential foreseeable learning domains as they occur. Digital teaching and learning is one such domain.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
The Long Game: Preparing for the Interview from the Start
While the shortage of certified teachers is real in pockets across the country, there continues to be a need for preparation prior to interviewing for that first job. In some school districts, the competition is still fierce and in order to be successful, teacher candidates will have to bring their "A" game in order to secure the job they want. So, when does that preparation start?
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
Student Teacher Placement: Preparing for the Interview from the Start
Remember it's about that proof when it comes to interviewing. How can students now show what they know? We talk with them about bringing samples of their proof, such as a synopsis of their classroom management plan, a sample lesson, or assessment. These items help pre-service teachers tell stories of their teaching in action. An iPad could assist in this process. It's important to come with stories of both challenges and accomplishments using teaching specific language.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
Same Script, Different Cast
We've all seen them on the news, Facebook, Youtube, and sprawled across the internet... the teacher in the midst of a verbal assault on a student or the class. Every week there is a new one. Maybe I should start a video internet channel called "Teachers Gone Wild". That's exactly what these videos look like, a teacher who has totally lost their professional filter and decided to as the young people say, "Do the Most". In a day in age, where every encounter and every discussion has the potential of being taped teachers need to become more aware of how these situations escalate and can cost you your job.
Career Advice
Opinion
It's All About the Money. Or Is It?
Recent graduates may find themselves a bit overwhelmed when navigating the teacher job market for the first time. While it is easy to be enticed by districts or schools that advertise high salaries, the wise job seeker will weigh numerous factors when considering competing employment offers. Many of these considerations revolve around the employer's benefits package.
