Career Corner
In this blog, 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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: career advice and job huntjob hunt.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Questions for the interviewer
Near the end of an interview, candidates will have an opportunity to ask questions. You'll want to be sure your questions demonstrate the depth of your knowledge of the employer and the position.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Assistant Principal Interviews
A recent entry asked about the type of questions to expect in an AP interview. You can expect questions around:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
What Schools Are Looking for in Teachers
As a teacher recruiter, I am always asked: "What do schools look for in teacher candidates?" Every school would have unique "look fors", however there are some general characteristics. We look for seven characteristics:
Professional Development
Opinion
Recruiter to Teacher Candidate
As a teacher and administrator recuiter, I often get the same questions from inexperienced candidates who are looking fot the "first job". They are sure that they are the most qualified candidates and cannot understand how they are being passed up for interviews.
Education Funding
Opinion
Teaching Forgiveness Loans
M.Smith wrote in about trying to locate states that forgive student loans for new teachers. Jack Kronser (HR director in Colorado) writes: Canceling part or all of your student loans is called Loan Forgiveness and is done so at the state and federal level. It is often circumstantial and typically requires some sort of required service. At the federal level, you might go to: www.staffordloan.com, then look under loan forgiveness. Different states have their own programs as well. Here in Colorado, the program is called LIFT and is available to teachers who teach Math, Science, Special Education or ESL; see www.collegeinvest.org. I woud suggest starting to inquire at your state education department for more details on what is available.
Professional Development
Opinion
Becoming an English Teacher
Suzette asked for advice regarding a degree and certification in English. Jack Kronser (HR director in Colorado) writes that "from a school district perspective, we find a good supply of English teachers, but we are always looking for excellent teachers in all fields. I would suggest that you have as much content background as possible, as No Child Left Behind has made that a mandate. So, definitely the major in English. Also a minor in a foreign language, Special Education, English as a Second Language, Reading, etc. will make your job search more successful."
Federal
Opinion
Returning to the US & Job Hunting
Barbra asked about returning to the US after several years of teaching in Taiwan. Jack Kronser (HR director in Colorado) writes: "Your question is pretty all-encompassing, but I understand your concerns. Yes, being out of the country that long would make you a little out of touch, however, a good teacher is always a good teacher. I would suggest that you start with reading AAEE's Job Search Handbook (www.aaee.org). There are some great tips on what is happening in education relative to job searchers.
Federal
Opinion
Moving back to the U.S.
Barbra also mentioned being "out of the loop of American culture and what is going on in the system." Since you are reading Education Week and Agent K-12, you are obviously online and keeping up with the best source! 1) The use of technology in the job search will be one huge change in the seven years that you have been gone. Especially in urban and suburban school districts you will find that applications are completely online. 2) Online applications will contain pre-interview essay questions to see how you think and feel about teaching. 3) Jobs are listed on school district websites, state department websites, nonprofit websites, and commercial websites.One more suggestion: highlight your international experience. Although there is a good supply of elementary teachers in the Midwest, you have a very unique set of experiences which deserve emphasis. Your international expereince and savvy can serve you well!
Federal
Opinion
Moving -- International Back to the States
Barbra wrote about being a licensed elementary teacher of 10 years, with a Masters degree and seven years experience in Taiwan. She wanted advice on coming back into the US culture and finding a job. Dawn Jones (Northern IL Univ.) writes:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
English Job Market & Training
Lauren asked about the job market for English teachers. We just completed the AAEE teacher supply and demand research study for 2006. Nationally, the numerical rating for English/language arts is 3.06 on a scale of 5.0. This equals being a "Balanced" job market --- there is a balance between the number of candidates available and the number of positions available. However, this does not take geographic location into account. Since I do not know your location, I cannot give you a regional analysis, but most of the regions are still "balanced" for English.A balanced job market will mean that you will need to seek positions much more actively than candidates in shortage areas (blingual, special education, math, science). The college that you attend will have a career center, and the counselors there will help you seek positions.
Education
Opinion
Career Resource Room
Jane asked about setting up a career resource room in her high school.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Job Fairs
Charley wrote in about job fairs, with some frustration about the job fairs being open only to the graduates of those institutions. Here are a couple of ideas that might help you: 1) contact the job fair's sponsor to see if there is a way to register and attend as a non-graduate. I used to manage very large job fairs at Ohio State and they were for OSU graduates only. Yet, we had a system whereby someone not from OSU could register as a reciprocal attendee.2) We publish a directory entitled The 2007 Job Hunter’s Guide: Services and Career Fairs for Educators that lists job fairs that are Open to graduates from any institution. It can be ordered by going to www.aaee.org and click on publicatons or by calling 614.485.1111. The highest number of job fairs are held in March and April, so don't delay if you think you want the directory ($22).
Professional Development
Opinion
Assistant Principal Licensure
For Michele who was inquiring about being approached about an assistant principal position and wondered what licensure program to pursue --- from Dawn Jones, AAEE President, from Northern Ilinois University.
Professional Development
Opinion
Assistant Principal Licensure
Michele in Illinois, who has been asked about taking an assistant principal position for next fall and already has administrative experience, wrote in to ask whether it would be better for her to obtain a principal's license or a Master's in Teacher Leadership. Jack Kronser, a school human resources director in the Denver area, responds: "I am an HR Director in Colorado but I came from Illinois. If you are being asked to look into the position of Assistant Principal, you will need a state license (Type 75 in Illinois, Principal License in CO) to be able to evaluate certificated or licensed staff at a building level. If you complete a Master's Degree in Teaching, that will not do it for you. You will need to enroll in a college or university program designed to complete an administrative licensing program."