Time has sprung forward, the leaves are blossoming, and college seniors are buzzing about the awesome jobs that they have lined up following graduation. If this isn鈥檛 you don鈥檛 worry, March and April are the perfect times to secure your first teaching position. Just follow the tips below and you are sure to land your ideal teaching job.
1. Ensure that your application stands out
There are many things that teaching candidates can do to stand out to potential employers. This includes uploading a video of you teaching (whole class or small group instruction), samples of parent communication, and references from leaders at your student teaching site(s).
2. Toot your own horn
While you may not have as much experience as a veteran teacher do not be afraid to play up your student teaching, child care, summer camp, and/or tutoring experiences. These are all roles that require skills that are transferable to the classroom. Reflect on these experiences and ensure that you can verbalize how they taught you collaboration, problem solving, classroom management, time management, lesson planning, and content delivery.
3. Practice makes perfect
Hiring managers may require teaching candidates to deliver a sample lesson or answer situational questions. Knowing the right answer or coming up with a 5 minute lesson on the spot can be really tough if you have not practiced. To ensure that you are prepared contact your career center, mentors, and current teachers to request a mock interview. A list of the most common situational interview questions can be found .
4. Get to know your future employer
Every school and school district is unique so, do your research and do not make assumptions. Prior to your interview spend some time exploring the school website, tailor your application materials to the school culture (if you are applying to a school of the arts find ways to infuse this theme into your application materials), review the school鈥檚 report card to get an understanding of the successes and challenges the schools faces.
Now spring into action and secure that position!
Shaterika Parks
Sourcing Specialist I
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
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