Q:
"I am returning to work after taking time off to raise my family. I have a Masters in Finance, with ten years of residential and commercial finance. I also have a Masters in Curriculum and Education. My teaching experience has been in challenged urban areas. I am looking for a position in education that can be a stepping stone to an administrative position. My question is, where is a good place to start, and at what level? Do I apply for administrative/clerical positions? How does one reenter?"

A:
You may want to look at two alternatives. If you are interested in district level leadership, you could pursue business position opportunities such as business manager or a staff position in the business office of a school. Based on a successful track in one of those roles, you could move into other leadership positions in the school district. If you are interested in a building level leadership role such as a principalship, the best approach would be to use your Master's background and teaching experience and apply for teaching vacancies or an assistant principal role. Building level leadership roles are most often based on instructional leadership, while district level roles have multiple paths to advancement.

Hank Gmitro, President
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates
ECRA Group, Inc - HYA Search Division

Posted by jrogers at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Q:
I have a law degree and worked in the legal field for 5 years. I recently completed my masters in Educational Leadership because of my love for education but now I feel lost because I am unsure of the approach to take, in using these two areas of expertise. I would love to work in Education but have not been successful in identifying the area that would be best suited for me. Please advise.

A:
I teach a monthly on-line Job Search Seminar for perspective and practicing administrators. The very first issue we deal with is creating career goals with a specific timeline. We begin with today's date and project out to retirement. I have found that creating career goals with specific time lines helps you organize your career and career advancement. If you have not done so, I would encourage you to begin with that activity.

That being said, you have an excellent background to make some choices as to how you want to advance your career. I think the first decision you need to make is "Do you want to be an educational attorney working with school districts or a school district?" or "Do you want to be an educational administrator with a legal background?" Once you have answered that question your career path will become clearer.

If you choose to be an educational administrator with a legal background, decide what level of administration you wish to pursue, building principal or central office administrator. Identify the state or states you wish to work in, and begin your research into potential districts and openings. In-depth research is the key to attaining your next position.

If you choose to be an educational attorney who works with districts, identify firms in the state or states in which you are interested that specialize in educational law. One of the best ways to identify those firms is to contact the Executive Director of the state administrator's association and ask her or him to give you the names of the top three or four firms that represent school districts.

--Thomas Jacobson Ph.D., CEO/Owner, McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C.

Posted by jrogers at 5:30 AM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Q:
I am a recently retired administrator who was a district-level special education administrator in the Pasadena, CA Unified School District. I am looking for something part-time in my geographical area. Any ideas would be appreciated.

A:
If you are focused on a particular area for part-time work, I would suggest that you target school districts or special education cooperatives in your area. Prepare a résumé with a clear description about your job target to work part-time and with clear evidence of your skills and abilities. Prepare both electronic and paper versions of the documents, as you may need to use both.

Your professional connections in the Pasadena area are the best place to start, so let every colleague know that you are interested in working part-time. Ask them to spread the word around to their colleagues, as well. I would also contact the California executive directors and regional chapter officers of ACSA and the California special education association to see if you can talk with someone and share your interest in part-time work.

As a final step, I would contact school districts directly with your information by using their application process and/or by sending a letter to the director or administrator of the department(s) in which you may want to work.

Lastly, don't give up. Part-time workers are sometimes a very valuable resource, but the district needs to want to hire someone part-time.

-- Hank Gmitro, President, HYA Executive Search Division, ECRA Group, Inc.

Posted by jrogers at 7:25 AM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

If you're in the midst of searching for a new position as a Head of School, you probably already know the process is an arduous one. In the independent school world, candidates don't just send a resume and cover letter to a school and call it a proverbial day. Rather, a school's board typically undertakes a rigorous search process--often enlisting the help of a professional Search firm--to find the best possible fit for its next leader.

Interested candidates don't necessarily have the opportunity to apply directly to the school. Expressing your interest to the Search firm working with the school, if there is one, might help you gain traction in your search. The search consultants will act as your advocates throughout the process, and they will do their best to help you secure an interview.

If you are invited to interview, we offer the following tips to give yourself the best chance to move forward.

1) Do Your Homework

First things first: make sure you understand the unique characteristics of the school. This is important, of course, when applying for any position. But when you're hoping to lead a community, you should have a deeper understanding of the characteristics that distinguish and define it. Learn the school's history and its mission and focus on the culture and values of the institution. If you have contacts at the school, ask them questions: what is a unique quality of the school? What does the current leadership value most? What changes have occurred, and what are on the horizon? A successful candidate will understand the traditions and values of the school and apply that understanding to his or her vision for the future.

2) Convey a Genuine Interest in the School

After you've researched the school, you will need to convey a genuine interest in leading it to the hiring committee. It is not enough to verbalize a general interest--you should explain exactly what excites and intrigues you about the school and cite positive qualities and potential challenges that reinforce your desire to work there. You should couple your interest with a strategic plan for moving forward. Come to the committee armed with ideas to usher the school into a successful future while maintaining the traditions that attracted you to the position in the first place.

3) Fundraising: Is it in Your Wheelhouse?

It should be. Leading an independent school requires a certain level of fundraising acumen. As Head of School, you will work closely with the Business Manager or CFO and the Director of Development. Because independent schools are not-for-profit institutions, they depend heavily upon major gifts and donations from alumni, community members, and other organizations. You will need to blend your educational philosophy and pedagogy with a shrewd fundraising eye in order to keep the school viable. Highlight specific examples of your financial savvy in your conversations with the hiring committee.

4) Demonstrate Your Experience in Leading Faculty

A successful and effective Head of School is engaged in his or her community. No amount of intellectual prowess or fundraising aptitude will replace basic leadership skills. A Head of School should not be withdrawn; rather, he or she should connect with faculty and students and provide a living example of the school's mission.

In your interview with the hiring committee, provide examples of your leadership skills. Discuss a time you led a committee, or your duties as department chair or division head. Don't be afraid to discuss any challenges you encountered and overcame--effective leadership is not always easy.

5) Innovation Nation - Be on the Vanguard

Independent schools typically value a respect for 21st century educational tenets. Demonstrate your understanding of and interest in 21st century education topics, and be prepared to discuss innovative plans to set your new school apart. Draw upon past experience--piloting a 1:1 iPad program, for example, or spearheading an anti-bullying curriculum--in your conversations with the hiring committee. More than merely identifying with and appreciating a holistic, 21st century educational environment, you should have concrete suggestions for nurturing future global citizens in your prospective position.

6) Know thy Weaknesses

It is nearly guaranteed that the hiring committee will ask you about a challenge in your career. Come prepared: know your weaknesses as well as your strengths, and have an anecdote or two--about a conflict with a faculty member, for example, or financial creativity when faced with budgetary restrictions--in your arsenal that displays your ability to meet and overcome challenges.

7) Geography: Is it a Good Fit?

You should demonstrate an authentic interest in the region in which the school is located. Schools often draw aspects of their culture from their surrounding communities--Southeastern schools are very different from New England schools, for example--and are interested in pursuing candidates who are genuinely interested in relocating to their region. Don't let distance put you at a disadvantage: if you're currently located hundreds of miles away from the school to which you're applying, identify specific reasons that motivate your desire to relocate.

8) Be Authentic

Above all, be true and genuine, whether speaking about your past accomplishments or your future goals, your passions or your pitfalls. This authenticity will help a hiring committee understand who you are--as both an educator and a person. The Head of an independent school represents a full community, complete with its faculty, students, mission, and values. An effective leader will likely have an ineffable quality that makes him or her a good match for the school. Don't force it: be your authentic self, and you (and the school!) will find the right fit.

--Devereaux McClatchey, Carney, Sandoe & Associates

Posted by jrogers at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Q:
I am looking for a career change, and I am considering a career in education. I have a background in Business Administration and Marketing, and I am looking for an administrative position. I would rather work for public k-12, but I am not sure what positions I should look for. Any advice would be appreciated.

A:
Public K-12 may be a very different environment in your state than your current career so there are several critical steps you should take as you begin consideration of a career change. They include:

1. Talk to someone in your local school district or your state administrative association regarding the career options that may exist for you in your state or area. Most states have a business manager association and community relations/public relations association. These organizations may be able to give you guidance as to the options that exist.
2. Consider how mobile you are as that may significantly impact the choices you can make in the public k-12 sector.
3. Check on the certification requirements that exist in any state you may be considering for a job change. Certification requirements differ greatly from state to state so make sure you are qualified or able to become certified for any position you may seek.
4. Join the state association in which you may wish to work and attend some meetings in order to get to know people in the field. Developing some personal connections in the profession may help you get to know what possibilities may exist.
5. Volunteer in your local district assisting with special projects or anywhere else you may want to work. A reference from someone currently in the field will be essential to landing your first job in public k-12.
6. Consider starting in a position that is not your ultimate goal. Moving into public k-12 can sometimes be challenging if your early career path was in a different sector.
7. Call education sector search firms that work in the states where you may want to work and ask to meet with someone from the firm to learn more about what options you may have.
8. Actively pursue positions in districts where they may be looking for someone with business experience. This is the case in some districts and they prefer to hire someone who did not follow a traditional career path. The connections that you made in the steps above may help you identify districts where you may be a highly desirable candidate.

-- Hank Gmitro, President, HYA Executive Search Division, ECRA Group, Inc.

Posted by jrogers at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

1) Research, Research, and More Research

Your goal is to outwork your competition. You accomplish that by out-researching them. Start by researching the district and its demographics. Next find out all you can about the position you are interviewing for, including what the selection criteria are, names of all the teachers and staff members. You also need to research the community the school serves. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the interview.

2) Anticipate Questions

If you can identify the selection criteria, you can identify potential interview questions. Even if you can't identify the selection criteria, you can anticipate questions. Know that you will probably be asked interview questions about instructional leadership, supervision of instruction, student discipline, scheduling, parental involvement, working with staff. Use those areas to prepare yourself for the interview.

3) Practice Interviewing

It doesn't matter where you are in your career - you need to practice interviewing. Find a team of your friends to interview you. Create potential interview questions for them to ask you. Use the questions you created in your anticipated interview questions. Record it. Review the interview and critique your performance. Assess your responses to the questions. Review your body language and interactions with the interview team. Have your team give you feedback. Do it again and again until you are satisfied with the results.

4) Take Control of the Interview

The individual who takes control of the interview often gets the job. Taking control of the interview is easy - put people at ease. You do that with a smile, a firm handshake, and looking the person in the eye. Nothing exudes confidence more than greeting another person by looking them in the eye as you shake their hand and introducing yourself with a smile on your face. During the interview appear to be relaxed, confident, and in control. If you practiced interviewing, this will come naturally.

Posted by jrogers at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend

Q:
I was a first time superintendent of a district with a history of financial mismanagement and governance issues as well as Board micromanaging former superintendents. I was terminated due to comments made about how board majority has behaved. How can I get back on my career track? Up to this point I had a stellar service record.

A:
First and foremost, be prepared for the fact that you have a huge hurdle to overcome if you want to become a superintendent again. While the reason for your dismissal may have been due to the Board's problems, you were the CEO and you were fired because you were not meeting the expectations of the Board that hired you. It will not matter to some people that the Board's expectations were inappropriate or illegal.

Getting past that will not be easy in this day of instant information and the ability for anyone to publish online whatever they wish. This means that community members in your new district will have access to the fact that you were terminated and the Board will need to be prepared to respond to people who may jump to conclusions based on limited information. It is almost impossible to put inaccurate information back in the bottle after it creates a first impression.

With that being said I would recommend taking the following steps:

1. Be honest. Tell the story factually and accurately without placing blame. Accept the fact that you are part of the issue and have responsibility in it.
2. Find someone in the organization from which you were fired who can tell the story from an objective perspective. Someone else saying the Board behaved inappropriately and treated you unfairly is very different than you saying it.
3. Seek guidance and counsel from a search firm. They may help you understand your options or even know of vacancies where the Board may get past this one issue and look at your stellar record. Much will depend on your specific situation - What is the reputation of the district? And the Board? What type of district is it? What type of district are you hoping to move into? However, be prepared for the fact that some boards may never be able to accept someone who was terminated.
4. Consider restarting your career by working as an assistant superintendent before you try to move back into the superintendency. Assistant roles are usually hired by other administrators who may be far more willing to accept what happened in your previous job than what a Board is willing to when they hire a superintendent.

Posted by jrogers at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Leave a comment | Recommend