Teacher Job Hunting TipsStephen CathersMarch 11, 2011KORCOS

Teacher Job Hunting Tips: Workshop

 • Initial Considerations:

• Forms:

• Letters of reference:

• Resume:

• Application Letters/emails:

• Interview:

• Interview Questions:

Initial Considerations:

 •Support network in administration•Don’t burn bridges•Social networking/blogging is part of your

application!•Be stable in one position for 4+ years•How do you find out about openings?•How do you decide to which schools to

apply?•Location issues: are you location bound?

Forms:

 •Type/word process vs. handwrite hard

copies•Complete information vs. refer to resume •Information must be current•Reconcile all information!•Online application process

Letters of reference:

•Who to select (which positions?)•How to request references?•When to get reference letters (maintain

current references)•Confidential vs. open references•Guidance to give reference writers

Resume/Vita:

 •Format (font, paper, style, digital format-

pdf)•Elements (what order?) •Align with position advertising!•Purpose (NOT to tell all)•No gaps!

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXAmerican International School of XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXPhone +XXXXXXX20030 ext. 5300Cell phone +XXXXX83768 XXXXXX@aol.comSkype address: xxxxxxxx     CERTIFICATIONNew York State Elementary Certification (pre-k –sixth grade) – Permanent EDUCATIONBachelor of Science, History, State University of New York at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY.Master’s of Science, Elementary Education, Dowling College, Oakdale, NY. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE2006 – present Teacher, American International School of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

First Grade (Kindergarten/First Grade Coordinator) 2005 – 2006 Teacher, xxxxxx International School, Seoul, Korea

Kindergarten 2003 – 2005 Teacher, xxxxxxx Bilingual School, Jabriya, xxxxxxx

First Grade and Second Grade 2002 – 2003 Teacher, American Creativity Academy, xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

First Grade 2000 – 2002 Teacher, Southampton Elementary School, xxxxxxxxxxx

Kindergarten 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX3058xxxxx Court, XXXXXXXXX, CanadaTelephone: (xxx xxx- 8858 email: xxxxx@gmail.com Skype: xxxxxxxxxxEDUCATION:Certificate of Teacher Librarianship, UBC 2010Bachelor of Education, UBC 1996

Bachelor of Human Kinetics, UBC 1994Concentration in coaching and instruction, Theatre Minor

PRACTICUM:XXXXXXXXX Elementary, XXXXX, BCTwo week practicum: Feb 13-24, 199513 week practicum: Sept 5-Dec 1, 1995Sponsor Teacher: Ms. Barbara xxxxxxSchool Telephone: (xxx) xxx-8608St Helen’s School, Burnaby, BCSponsor Teachers:Mr. Pasquali xxxxxxx (grade 4)

Miss. Nathalie xxxxx (grade 1)School Telephone: (xxx) xxx-2234 or (xxx) xxx-2345

TEACHER Professional Certificate with British Columbia College of CERTIFICATION Teachers, April 1996TEACHING EXPERIENCEXXXXX American School, XXXX, XXXXXX

September 2008 - June 2010Pre - K to 7th grade PE teacher

XXXXXXX School District # x3, XXXXXX, BCFebruary 2007 – 2008

Teacher on CallSpecializing in PE and Drama at Elementary and High School levelsNot trained, but experienced in teaching Home Ec and Library

 

Application Letters/emails:

•Letter/message of Introduction (Interest) must be very focused!

•Format•Greeting – say purpose•Content•Relate it to advertisement•Tone – confident, not arrogant•Invite someone to review•Closing

Korea International School

Attention:           Mr. Stephen Cathers - Director                          cc: Human Resources

Reference:          Open ICT Positions

Please consider my application for the two recently posted ICT positions at KIS. I've attached my CV, information and written references for your perusal.

Born in xxxxx, xxxxxx, I received my Computer Science degree from the University of Tennessee in the United States. After studying and working in North America for almost a decade, I started my international career teaching N-12 ICT. After posts in South America and the UK, I'm currently working as the PK-10 ICT teacher and integration specialist at the American International School in xxxxx, xxxxx. Like KIS, we operate a 1-1 Macbook program, PowerSchool SIS and perform MAP testing three times per year.

I also have experience in systems management, faculty training, user support in both Windows and Mac environments, Rediker SIS, Follett library management and Adobe Creative Suite.

Although my background is technology, I believe that my strongest skills are human, be they the careful nurturing of young students, effective technical leadership or my engaged approach to urgent problem solving. I believe my communication skills are finely honed to work effectively at all levels. I consider difficulties to be challenges rather than road-blocks and handle users' technical problems like they are my own.

I prefer to teach and assist other teachers to organize energetic classes where students are enthusiastic about learning and feel challenged to explore their creative side. I also believe it is imperative for schools to grasp students' passion for technology and apply it throughout the entire curriculum. Two goals at KIS would be to ensure that students master all emerging technologies that are vital to 21st century learning and to help teachers become as comfortable with technology as they are with traditional methods.

My husband Jeff is also an IT specialist currently working on private web-related projects. Although not a teacher, his 30+ year career in technology and digital imaging includes 5 years as  IT Head / Systems Manager at UAS, the American international school in xxxxxx. We would prefer to find ICT positions for both of us in our next post. Jeff's CV and references are also attached. The following is a link to our IT/education web space that includes online samples of integration projects, sample IT curricula and lesson plans, Moodle courses, tech articles and other pertinent information.   xxxxxxxxxx@ SchooZone

Current colleagues xxx and xxxx xxxxxxx are former KIS teachers. They speak very highly of the school, the community and the country, hence our excitement about any opportunities that may exist. We remain available for further information and thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Regards,

Ixxxxxxxxx,  xxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. Mary E. Xxxxxx1511 xxxxxxxx Drive, XXxxxx, XX xxxxx

(xxx)xxx-5609 cell or (xxx)xxx-4240 homeSkype: mary.xxxxxx

xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.net

February 15, 2011

Stephen CathersKIS DirectorKorea International School373-6 Baekhyun Dong, Bundang gu, Seongnam siGyeonggi-do, 463-420 Korea

Dear Mr. Cathers,

Good morning.  Thank you for giving the opportunity to write you today.  I am interested in the Classroom Teacher positions mentioned on the TIE web site.  I have worked in the education field for 18 plus years in a variety of areas, two years as a classroom teacher and 16 years as a visual arts teacher.  I center the classroom around the developmental needs of my students.  I am a nurturing person who is empathetic with children and I cultivated a sense of success, self worth and achievement in my students.  I worked well with parents, other faculty members and administrators.

I have taught in diverse communities, including successfully teaching English Language Learners.  I am proficient at teaching all of the age levels and meeting the needs of diverse ability levels.  I manage a classroom that engages students in active, hands-on projects that are cross-curricular.  I hold the belief that students learn best by doing.   I am conversant with and utilize the application of technology for instruction and in completing classroom clerical tasks. I am committed to lifelong professional growth.  I am an active participant in extracurricular activities and school trips.

Thank you for your consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  If you would like to speak with me, I am able to Skype as well.  Also, I did not include a copy of my diploma.  I have ordered a new copy, and should be receiving it soon.  I will forward a copy when it arrives. 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mary E. xxxxxxx

Interview:

• Face-to-Face or Skype?• What to wear• Body language – significance of hands• Preparation/practice • Reviewing school web site/current issues (diversity,

curriculum, assessment, student discipline, parents, school-home communication)

• Length of answers/ Know when to quit talking!• Reading interviewers’ body language, etc.• Eye contact• Communicating confidence – essential!• Avoiding pat answers – magic pause!• Being genuine• How do you rescue yourself?

Interview Questions:

 •Typical questions•Good and bad answers •Your questions

General Questions:

 • Tell us about yourself.

• What is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

• Give education / experience that prepared you for this position.

• Why did you leave __________ position after only one year?

• Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?

• What do you do in your spare time?

Scenario Questions:

 •There is an irate parent…what do you do?

•Describe a time you had a conflict with your supervisor and tell how you resolved it.

•There is part of the school direction that you philosophically disagree with….what do you do?

•Teacher morale is low ….what do you do?

Teaching and Learning Questions:

• Describe how you design your instructional program and implement it.

• How do you use classified staff?

• How do you make sure your instruction is aligned with curriculum goals?

• How do you meet needs of low achieving students? ELL?

• How do you create a quality learning environment for all?

Your Questions:

 • What is the level of parent support at your school?

• What kind of curriculum and teaching support is available in the school?

• Are there opportunities for interdisciplinary projects and activities?

• How often do departments meet and work together?

• Are there opportunities to work with extra curricular activities?

Thank You