How does one apply for a teaching position?

Factual Questions
1

A little background:
I will have my bachelor’s degree in English at the end of this summer, with a minor in history. I was working towards my secondary teaching certificate when the state of Alabama abruptly changed the rules and came to insist that prospective English teachers have a communications minor, which would require me to take 21 more hours of classes that are offered over the course of two years by our itty bitty communications department. I cannot wait that that long. It has been suggested to me that I pursue alternative certification. Here in Alabama I am eligible for Alternative certification as long as I am enrolled in a “fifth-year” master’s degree program and can get a job.

My problem is that while I have a pretty good idea what to do to do well in the business application process, I suspect teaching positions are different. We have several dopers who are teachers, and I was hoping they could answer some questions I have.

  1. Secondary school achievements. I would never bother to include these things on a business resume, but schools are very interested in high standardized test scores. Hoping that they will assume that the ability to score well implies the ability to teach others how to score well, should I mention my test scores? I was in the 99% on the ACT (32) and a national merit semi-finalist. I worry that this will look petty, reaching back 5 years for a laurel, but I don’t want to not use something that could be helpful.

  2. Where do I send a resume? Should I address it directly to the superintendent?

3)What is the best spin to put on my seeking alternative certification? I could be blunt, and say that I need to start supporting myself.

4)Should I include a portfolio with my original resume? I don’t have a full-blown portfolio because I haven’t done student teaching, but I have a five page paper outlining my philosophy of classroom discipline, which I could whittle down, and a short paper discussing my over all philosophy of teaching. Would it be wise to include these?

  1. I will not graduate until the end of summer, but I need to start sending out resumes NOW. I fully expect to graduate cum laude–I would have to do worse then I’ve done in years on some fairly easy classes not to. Can I put something like: “Graduation Date: August 2000, cum laude (anticipated)”.

6)Provided I am lucky enough to get an interview, what should I wear? My family is made up of professionals, so when I hear interview I think $300 power suit. I am afraid that that might be a poor choice in some little county school (the ones most likely to hire an alternatively certified teacher) where the women still introduce themselves as “Mrs. Sam Jones”. In any case, the rule for an interview is usually one step up from what you would wear to work. I do not know what this would be for a teacher these days.

  1. This is sort of a weird question, but I would love to hear from anyone with experience in this matter. My boyfriend and I live together without benefit of clergy, and we have no real plans to ever formalize things. Is this going to create problems down the road if it becomes known? Many communities still feel that teachers should be held to a higher moral standard than everyone else.

  2. Is there anything else anyone can think of that they wished they’d known when they were in my position?

2

I suck at this, but I’d try hotjobs.com

3

Re your resume: this is the vehicle for tooting your horn. However, I would stick to credentials I’ve actually achieved versus credentials I hope to achieve. I wouldn’t put “anticipated summa cum laude.” Rather, you could put “Dean’s List each semester” or “3.95/4.00 g.p.a. (to date)”

The exception to this is your graduation date because you need to search for jobs prior to actually graduating. In this case you put something like this: “graduation date: 6/01” or “Masters of Arts, pending (6/01)”

As far as interview suits, I would stick to erring on the side of caution. You don’t have to spend $300 on an outfit, but you do have to make an effort to buy new panty hose and un-scuffed shoes. Err on the side of caution. This means a dress, skirt and blouse, or suit. Unless, of course, the interviewee tells you otherwise.

I wouldn’t mention the living together thing nor should it be brought up in the interview. However, if it’s a small town in the middle of the Bible belt, this could bring problems if you actually get the job. It’s something to keep in mind.

You generally send the resume to the superintendent, but this may vary. Since you need to put an actual person’s name versus “Dear Sir or Madam,” you need to call the district anyway, so ask them who and where to send the resume.

Sounds like you need to put your excellent academic background to work and start doing some investigating regarding the rest (what certificate to get, etc.). Try the local teacher’s union or a career counselor that specializes in your field.

Good luck!

The rest

4

Here are a couple of suggestions.

Call the local board and have them send you an application. This is certainly how it is done in Maryland and it’s what sets the wheels in motion for your prospective employment, I would think, in most public school districts.

Resume yes, cover letter not necessary. I would say you should include all of your academic achievements in college especially if you have no actual teaching experience to cite. If you did any student teaching, definitely list that.

I don’t think you need your paper on teaching philosophy and such. At your interview, you can count on questions about your philosophy, how you would describe your teaching technique, what a daily lesson in your classroom might look like and definitely questions about classroom management, i.e. discipline. Also, there might be questions about what else you could offer to the school in addition to teaching, like serving as a drama coach or student government advisor and the like.

For your interview, I would dress professionally --jacket and tie for men, skirt/dress blouse for women. No need to go all out and dress as if you were applying for some type of corporate attorney position.

Also you may not hear anything until late July or early August. Again, with the way it is done in Maryland, teachers have until July 15 to be released from their contract if they wish to seek a job in a neighboring school district. As a result, principals when going through their list of possible employee candidates, will most likely start with the experienced teachers knowing that there is a deadline that applies to everyone in the state.
Hope this helps. Best of luck.

5

In regards to the live-in boyfriend, the relationship may actually be considered a common-law marriage (the rules vary from state to state; I’m not sure what it is in Alabama). If this is the case, then I’m pretty sure there’s nothing that they can legally do to you about it, and if they try, you’ve got a discrimination case against them. Of course, even in that case, you might face a very hostile environment if word gets out. Any lawyers care to comment?

6

Hi Manda;

While I am not a certified teacher, I used to work as a student services officer for a university graduate program for library studies, so I worked with a lot of certified teachers, AND I gave career (resume, job searching) preparations workshops.

Your wrote:

“4)Should I include a portfolio with my original resume?”

You don’t need to include the portfolio with your resume, but you should definitely bring your materials with you to any interview you are invited to. In fact when you arrive at your interview, bring extra copies of your resume and portfolio. Especially in government job interviews, I’ve seen the actual principal or head librarian not have the person’s resume. Why? The administration or human resources department processes you, and just gives the principal/superintendent a list of candidate names!

What is just as important is to write a good, concise (one page) cover letter stating how you feel you are qualified. You can mention in your cover letter that you are happy to bring a portfolio to the interview, if you wish. (many of the web sites that give you info on resumes also give you good tips on cover letters).

“6)Provided I am lucky enough to get an interview, what should I wear? My family is made up of professionals, so when I hear interview I think $300 power suit. I am afraid that that might be a poor choice in some little county school (the ones most likely to hire an alternatively certified teacher) where the women still introduce themselves as “Mrs. Sam Jones”. In any case, the rule for an interview is usually one step up from what you would wear to work. I do not know what this would be for a teacher these days.”

Even the poorest neighbor’s car dealership still washes its cars. If you think a $300 power suit is “too much,” choose something with a little less attitude. That is, take out the monogram. Take out the huge shoulder pads. Take out the pin stripes. Take off the really huge pearl necklace. Keep the HIGH heels at home, and stick with a low-heel pump. But wear something tasteful and formal for your initial interview; you are being looked at head to toe and you want them to see YOU, not what you wear. If you wear a good suit, they will see YOU, not the cheap clothes. Believe me. They will respect you for your professionalism. If they call you back for a second interview, dress a bit more casually and leave the power suit at home.

“7) This is sort of a weird question, but I would love to hear from anyone with experience in this matter. My boyfriend and I live together without benefit of clergy, and we have no real plans to ever formalize things. Is this going to create problems down the road if it becomes known? Many communities still feel that teachers should be held to a higher moral standard than everyone else.”

Your question covers a range of issues; I’ll try to deal with them as I can.

During the interview, they are NOT to ask you about this kind of question. They should hire you regardless of your marital status, and I believe this is protected for you by federal law. If they DO ask a question like, “Do you plan on taking any time off if you decide to have a baby?” instead of replying, “I’m sorry but federal law says you’re not supposed to ask such nosey questions,” try to find out what the motive is behind such a question. Perhaps they’ve lost half of their teachers to maternity leaves (after which the teachers choose to be stay-at-home mothers) so they are trying to “think ahead.” Instead, reply with a question addressing leaves in general, and about their leave policy. As long as their concerns are addressed, you need not point out their flaws. :]

You live in Alabama. If you get a job in a small community, chances are you WILL encounter problems with some of the residents in the community. In effect, you will be the “English teacher with a shack-up boyfriend who doesn’t respect her enough to marry her.” This may get compounded if you decide to have a baby without the benefit of marriage. If you are successfully hired, I would make sure you keep your personal life TOTALLY out of school. It is absolutely none of the students’ business if you have a live-in boyfriend or not. The residents should not criticize you for it, just as you should not give them fodder for criticism. They might be wrong to criticize, but it’s YOUR job. Be a professional and keep the personal stuff out of school. :]

Unlike other jobs, yours would be especially vulnerable to “community standards” because you teach minors, and the parents of the community have to put the raising of their teens in your hands. You do not need a scandal.

The State of Alabama DOES recognize common-law marriages (http://www.nolo.com/encyclopedia/faqs/mlt/sp8.html#FAQ-507), but the mere act of living together does NOT make you a common-law wife. If this is a potential route, read up on it. Many women don’t take their husband’s last names when they marry. If you feel comfortable with it, call him your husband. Nobody will ask questions, and with Alabama’s common-law marriage you may find yourself somewhat protected.

Good luck!!