Career Advice Blog

Ed Leadership Career Talk

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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: career advice and job hunt.

Teacher Preparation Opinion Can a Teacher Be 'Overqualified' for an Administrator Job?
Q:
I have been in the field of education for 24 years and I just received my doctoral degree in educational leadership. I have extensive experience as a teacher leader within my school, yet I am finding it difficult to transition into the field of educational leadership. I have applied for several positions in various counties in Georgia. Could it be that my extensive experience, and advanced degree are making me less marketable in regards to salary range?
Jonathan Rogers, September 17, 2014
1 min read
Education Opinion K-12 CTOs: Changing Roles Call for New Training
On November 7, 2013, Education Week is hosting a free webinar of interest to K12 Administrators on the topic of chief technology officers (CTOs) and their role within school districts. Like technology itself, the job description of the district technology officer is changing rapidly--and often dramatically--as public education transforms around it, and through it. CTOs who take on leadership roles can help superintendents transform their districts.
Amanda Elias, November 6, 2013
1 min read
Teacher Preparation Opinion Paths to Advancement for Educators Returning to the Workforce
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?"
Jonathan Rogers, March 27, 2013
1 min read
Teacher Preparation Opinion K-12 Jobs for M.Ed. Grad With a Legal Background
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.
Jonathan Rogers, March 13, 2013
1 min read
Teaching Profession Opinion Part-Time Work for Retired, CA Administrator?
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.
Jonathan Rogers, February 17, 2013
1 min read
Career Advice Opinion Head of School Interviews: 8 Tips for Success in Landing a Headship
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.
Jonathan Rogers, January 29, 2013
4 min read
Teacher Preparation Opinion Changing Careers: From Business to K-12 Administration
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.
Jonathan Rogers, January 2, 2013
2 min read
Career Advice Opinion 4 Tips When Interviewing for the Principalship
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.
Jonathan Rogers, December 6, 2012
1 min read
Education Opinion Being Fired: How Can a Superintendent Bounce Back?
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.
Jonathan Rogers, November 28, 2012
2 min read