Job Hunt
Job Hunting Tips & 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?
Job Hunting Tips & 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.
Job Hunting Tips & 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.
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.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Can Data Help Districts Address Teacher Attrition?
A new data analytics company helps schools find solutions to turnover and attrition by administering surveys to teachers and coming up with tailored plans.
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
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.
Job Hunting Tips & 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.
Professional Development
Opinion
WORK IT! Successfully Navigating the Teacher Job Fair
Much is made of the importance of job fair preparation, and rightfully so. Job fair prep is critical, but it is not the end goal. The preparation is the behind the scenes work, intended to set you up for a successful recruitment experience. Recruiters are constantly evaluating during job fairs. Here's what they do (and don't) want to see:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Strategies for Making Friends in a Professional Setting
We tend to gravitate towards fun-loving people! The old adage, "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone", is a nice way to remind ourselves of the power of laughter. To be successful, we need to go beyond fun and consciously build an environment that stimulates our professional growth.