July 2009 Archives

While a resume and cover letter are non-negotiable documents in the application process, a portfolio is an optional piece. Rarely will an employer request a portfolio, either in the initial screening or at the interview. So, if employers don’t request portfolios, why prepare one? Based on feedback from recent graduates and employers, here are some reasons to consider:

• The portfolio demonstrates organization and attention to detail.
• Bringing a portfolio to an interview implies motivation and passion for teaching.
• Creating and formatting a portfolio (either hard copy or electronic) demonstrates expertise with technical applications.
• The portfolio provides a concrete visual image of your strengths and accomplishments.

So, while prospective employers may never request a portfolio, the savvy teacher candidate can use this tool to set herself apart from other applicants as a highly motivated, competent and conscientious candidate.

After developing portfolios to meet course requirements, to document learning outcomes, and/or to satisfy accreditation standards, teacher candidates are often confused about the definition of a “job search portfolio.” What are the documents that a teacher candidate should include in a portfolio for prospective employers? While there is not an official list, here are some items to consider:

• Work Samples – lesson plan, worksheets, homework assessments
• Photos – pictures of students engaged in learning activities
• Letters of Recommendation – faculty, college supervisor, cooperating teacher, principal, co-teachers
• Student Work Samples – completed tests, projects, writing samples
• Awards/Honors – professional associations, community and campus organizations
• Quotes/Notes of Appreciation – from parents, students, and school staff
• Video Clip – a short demonstration of your student-centered teaching skills
• Credentials – resume, transcripts, clearances, teaching certificate (while your certificate is pending, obtain a “placeholder letter” from your college certification officer), etc.

Just as the content of a portfolio is open to your experience and job-hunting objectives, the format is open to your creativity and needs. For example, consider these approaches:

• Binder – The key to using this tool effectively is the organization! Use tabs, so that you can easily refer to a document as needed. Don’t expect the employer to have the time to review the full contents of your binder, however. Instead, at the interview, ask if you may reference a sample of your work when it relates to a particular interview question.
• Streamlined “Packet” – To supplement the application credentials you submitted, an “abbreviated portfolio” (less than 10 pages) highlights your experience with work samples and photos and may include quotes or other endorsements beyond the letters of recommendation the employer has already received.
• Brochure – A tri-fold brochure is a convenient way to highlight your strengths with photos, quotes, and other noteworthy information. The brochure works well as a creative tool at job fairs and networking events; also, some candidates choose to tuck it into follow-up thank-you letters as a creative reminder of their strengths.
• Electronic Portfolio – This format allows you to tailor content easily for particular employers. Also, the e-folio demonstrates technical expertise and presentation skills.

While an employer may never request a portfolio, the benefits of a well-organized portfolio include: accessible documents, visual examples of experience, demonstration of creativity and technical skills, and a concrete example of your passion and motivation to teach.

Fellow Bloggers: What is your experience? Teacher candidates and employers, what advice can you offer related to the development and use of portfolios?

Deborah R. Snyder
Associate Director, Education Career Services
Grove City College

Posted by AAEE at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

What may once have been an exciting indicator of a new technological era, the virtual job fairs of today have taken a more meaningful role in recruiting and employing qualified teachers. With current school budget cuts reducing the number of available positions and recruitment monies, virtual job fairs may be a more viable option for both employers and candidates. For candidates, virtual job fairs provide an opportunity to view and apply for positions all in one, on-line location, even from the comfort of their own home computers. For employers, virtual fairs are more economical, permitting school districts to post vacancies without the added travel expense to live events. Posting vacancies in online events is also much cheaper than the cost of placing ads in newspaper classifieds.

The concept of virtual job fairs was introduced about 10 years ago. Unlike on-site job fairs, interactions occur “on-line” rather than face-to-face between school districts and teacher candidates. School districts register, post their positions, and search resumes of teacher candidates that have indicated interest in their school district. Similarly, teacher candidates register, post their resumes, view the directory of all registered schools, and apply for teaching positions. Virtual fair communication options and the application process between candidates and recruiters include correspondence through email, phone, or postal mail.

As teacher candidates, here are some helpful tips in your use of virtual job fairs:

1. Prepare your Resume
An integral part of your participation in a virtual job fair will be your resume. When it comes to virtual job fairs, your resume is initially one of the only representatives of you and your qualifications. For this reason, you will want a well-written resume highlighting your specific qualifications as a teacher candidate. For help in this area, consider contacting your university’s career center. They have resources and knowledgeable staff able to assist you in the creation of a great resume.

2. Follow up with Employers
As when applying for most positions, it will be important that you follow up with the employer. If the employer has not contacted you within 7-10 days after you’ve applied, don’t hesitate to contact them by telephone or e-mail. Ask them where they are in their hiring process. Also, let them know of your continued interest in the position.

3. Keep Track
It is important in any job search to keep track of the what, where, and when of applying for a position. On a piece of paper, in a Word document, whatever works best for you, list the position that you have applied for, the names of who you contacted, and any correspondence you’ve had with that place of employment. This will be a reminder of positions you’ve applied to and when you need to follow-up.

4. Keep Checking
Remember that unlike live job fairs, virtual job fairs permit access over a longer period of time (i.e. several weeks or months). For this reason, it will be important that you keep checking the virtual job fair site frequently for new vacancy postings.

5. Not an End-All-Be-All
Finding a teaching position can be a long and trying process. Remember that although virtual job fairs are convenient and user-friendly, they should not be your only method of finding employment as a teacher. Your participation in virtual job fairs should be combined with attending on-site job fairs, networking, and searching job listings located in publications and on-line sites.

Having benefits for both employers and candidates, virtual job fairs provide opportunities for interactions between school districts and teacher candidates. Becoming familiar with the navigation of virtual job fairs will be important in your employment search. Used in conjunction with other tools, virtual jobs fairs can increase employment opportunities and the likelihood of landing a teaching position.

Kourtney Shick and Michelle Fetzer
Career Counselors
Slippery Rock University

Posted by AAEE at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

The lazy days of summer are upon us, but if you’re still searching for a teaching position for the fall, these summer days are probably filled with anxiety and fear. It’s not too late to find a fall job, so don’t give up! Below are a few summer job-search strategies:

1) Clean up from the spring. Review the list of applications you have sent out, and re-contact districts you have not heard from. Ask politely if they can give you an idea of their hiring timelines. Even a rejection notice will allow you to cross that job off and move on. If you applied to a district before they had a specific opening, contact them again to see if they have a better understanding of their needs for the fall; indicate your interest in any jobs that appeal to you and offer to send fresh or updated materials.

2) Follow the trail of openings. If someone else got the job you applied for, ask the district if and where their new hire was previously employed. If the person hired was teaching elsewhere, that district now has a vacancy that you can pursue.

3) Recheck the temperature on hiring freezes. If you were told in the spring that a district was under a hiring freeze, call to see if the freeze has been lifted or if the district knows when it might end.

4) Get the most out of the spring job fairs. Pull out the business cards, pamphlets, freebies, and employer directories you got at the job fairs you attended. Touch base with the recruiters you talked to and let them know you’re still attracted to their district. Review the employer directory to find districts that interest you now but that you didn’t get to talk to in person; contact their recruiters and let them know you were at the job fair.

5) Use your summer wisely. Combine job searching with volunteer or paid work that keeps your teaching skills fresh, provides you with professional development opportunities, and/or widens your skill set. Consider summer camps, tutoring agencies, substitute teaching, residential treatment/education programs, or even serving as a nanny. Keep your resume updated with these summer experiences.

6) Networking is still key. Did your classmates get great jobs? If so, ask them if their district has vacancies and which hiring personnel you should contact. Send your classmates a copy of your resume and cover letter in case they meet a district administrator who is still looking for teachers. If you find yourself wiling away the hours on Facebook, put those hours to good use by letting your friends, professors, and family know that you haven’t given up on looking for a fall teaching position. Also check out LinkedIn, a professional networking site much like Facebook, as a way to stay in touch and make new connections in a professional way.

7) Remember your p’s and q’s. Be courteous and considerate to everyone from secretaries to superintendents that you encounter during your job search, even if you don’t get the same treatment from them. Keep a record of the names of district personnel you meet, phone, or email. Send prompt thank-you notes to interviewers, recruiters, and people in your network who have been especially helpful. Even send thank-you notes to districts that mail you the dreaded “No Hire” letter after an interview to let them know you are still interested in any positions that may develop late in the summer. This is not the time to burn bridges. Strive to be impressive and professional in all of your job search interactions, because you never know where your next opportunity may come from!

Amanda Hoffman
Career Counselor
Slippery Rock University

Posted by AAEE at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

As an educator, I find it imperative and a sense of duty to the profession, to engage in constant professional development, educational growth, and personal learning. Life-long learning, after all, is what being a teacher is about. International teaching, with its built-in structure of constant professional development combined with working in a culture and society far removed from our own, opens new horizons with endless opportunities for expanding our minds.

Should you consider the path of international teaching, you will find excellent benefits packages. These usually include excellent salaries, travel stipends, and housing. The typical K-12 American School abroad often educates students who are family members of embassy employees or top business professionals. Working with these students is a productive and rewarding experience. As a teacher, your expectations of the students lie on excellence in language acquisition, academic achievement, college preparation and character development.

On a more personal level, there are the service opportunities for both teachers and their students to contribute beyond the classroom and school borders. Both you and your students travel a path of mental growth through learning to understand, support and give to underprivileged groups. Many underdeveloped countries experience enormous gaps between poverty and affluent communities. You will find that there are unlimited options and opportunities to participate in community service projects.

Society today faces many challenges; in return, students across the global spectrum face greater pressures. The entire world is challenged by complex issues including the rapid development of new technologies, changing local demographics, and the rising cost of living. As individuals, we are confronted with a need to better understand other cultures. International teaching offers you the opportunity to gain a different perspective of the world. This international experience and insight will enable you to guide students in accepting, respecting, and responding appropriately to diversity.
Moving abroad does have its challenges, therefore it is important to do sufficient homework and background study on the country, city, community and the school. When communicating with international school representatives, do not be shy - vigorously investigate what you personally need to know about the school, the teaching contract, the community, and the country you are considering. Get in touch with the teachers, parents and community members. Seek the advice of veteran teachers you meet at international job fairs. The following recruiting agencies are a few of the useful resources available to you: The University of Northern Iowa International Educator Placement Service (http://www.uni.edu/placement/overseas/), International Schools Services (http://www.iss.edu/index.asp), Association of American Schools in South America (http://www.aassa.com/index.asp) and Association of International Educators (http://www.nafsa.org/).

It was a privilege and unforgettable learning experience to spend four years teaching at Colegio Internacional de Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela. The meaning of the ¨two-way road¨ of learning and development in a culturally diverse and foreign environment, combined with the high expectations of students in the college preparatory process, has brought a new dimension to my experience and understanding of being a teacher.

With all the challenges that international teaching can bring forth, the result is an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you teach internationally for a few years or a lifetime, you will become a better teacher with insight into other cultures and a new appreciation of the worldwide educational system.

--Ingrid Beute,
Career Counselor,
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Posted by AAEE at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend