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Teacher Preparation Opinion

Paths to Advancement for Educators Returning to the Workforce

By Jonathan Rogers — March 27, 2013 1 min read
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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

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