By:Kara ParnettLauren CritelliJennifer RiceSarah KarasLauren RobinsonPeter Rice

Dime a dozen? You wish!

• In the modern world it has been said that teachers are a “dime a dozen”• If only things were that good• How about “dime a 3,620”?• In May 2010 the Port Washington

District on Long Island received 3,620 applications….• For only 8 positions

THIS IS

YOU

Principal

What do I

want???

What do principals really want?

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

What do principals really want?

What do principals really want?

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

Teaching Skills

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

• Education and training Academics and grades obviously matter Any extracurricular training

• Provide evidence of previous experience Portfolio Videos of you teaching Recommendation from student teaching Include lesson plans Examples of students’ work from lesson plans Show how you used technology in lessons Evidence of one-on-one/individual support

• Be prepared to demonstrate a lesson on interviews

What do principals really want?

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Comm Skills

What do principals really want?

• Essential to demonstrate this key skill• Both written and verbal• Interview well with perfectly

rehearsed answers• But goes beyond just interviewing

well Have examples of where you have

demonstrated communication skills in your résumé

• Bilingual offers a valuable edge

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

Passion

What do principals really want?

Passion• Principals crave passionate teachers• Show genuine interest in and

enthusiasm for teaching • Willingness to handle the stresses of

teaching with grace and common sense• Demonstrate passion in your résumé,

student teaching reviews • Also ooze confidence in interview

Voice, body language, and eye contact

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

Lifelong Learning

What do principals really want?

Lifelong Learning

• Principals know that the best teacher is not just the right candidate now…but who you will develop into• Love teachers who learn new

teaching techniques, keep current on technology changes• Make clear in your cover letter and

interview how you intend to include ongoing learning in your future plans

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

Flexibility

What do principals really want?

Flexibility • In education, change is constant and teachers need to be willing and able to "roll with the punches“• Modification to curricula, changes

to classroom, reassignment of teachers• Demonstrate how you are flexible

and have/will manage change in the classroom

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Teamwork

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

Team- work

What do principals really want?

Team- work

• You must convince the principal that you are ready, willing, and able to function as part of a team• The principal looks at the teachers,

administrators, and staff as one team. Demonstrate that you can work well with them all • Have experiences and examples of

teamwork on your résumé, cover letter, and/or interview

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Team-work

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Teaching Skills

Attitude

What do principals really want?

Attitude• The simplest attribute a teacher needs but

the hardest to understand• A teacher with a good attitude understands

his or her obligation to teach well, provide a role model for students, and get along well with other faculty members• Enthuse confidence in your résumé and

your interview. Be excited about your experiences. • A mediocre example can become great if

told with enthusiasm

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong LearningFlexibility

Teamwork

Attitude

What do principals really want?

The power of networking

• Networking…why do I need to do this?• A personal recommendation from

a fellow teacher will dramatically increase the chance of interview

Places to Network/Events

• Teacher conferences (e.g. CEC)• Student teaching• District Board of Education

monthly meetings• Campus events• Job Fair

Before the event

• First and foremost…Set a goal “I will meet 5 new contacts at this

event”

• Look presentable• Practice your introduction,

It may seem a little forced, but it’s better that having nothing to say

During the event

• Bring résumés, just in case• Listen intently. This contact may not have

a job opening, but they may know of one• You may be surrounded by experts in the

field. Learn all you can Latest techniques District/National developments Latest gossip

• Play the numbers, talk to as many people as possible, do not stay in your clique

After the event

• Strike while the iron is hot• Follow up with an email• Be shameless, find a reason..ANY reason to contact

them Follow up question on something they were

saying/presenting Follow up explanation on something you were

saying/presenting Add to your Linkedin network, add to your Facebook

(use Facebook groups so they don’t see your less salubrious photos!)

• This will solidify your name in their head• Be flattering where possible• It’s a numbers game, maybe only 1 in 100 contacts will

be useful

Teacher

Teaching Skills

Comm Skills

Passion

Lifelong Learning

Flexibility

Teamwork

Attitude

What Principals really want?