Last night I applied for about a dozen teaching jobs in our major urban district. I also sent personalized emails to the principals of half the schools I applied to letting them know I applied and specifically how I would be a good fit for their school.
Only one responded. The gist of the email was: You don't have right background, and you have minimal high school experience. There are 70 other applicants who have experience.
Well, my new motto is not to take "no" for an answer, so I compose a thoughtful reply and sent it:
Only one responded. The gist of the email was: You don't have right background, and you have minimal high school experience. There are 70 other applicants who have experience.
Well, my new motto is not to take "no" for an answer, so I compose a thoughtful reply and sent it:
Thank you for your reply.
I understand your hesitation about the pending special education license, but I assure you all the requirements have been completed and it is awaiting Department of Ed approval. As for the math background, I'm sure that my years of working in data analysis and planning would give me a unique perspective and pedagogy for making math relevant in the modern career-focused world. Also, with a focus in English, it gives me an advantage in being able to anticipate the pitfalls students may encounter, if it might confuse me, it will most likely confuse the students as well, and I can help students find success in a different way.
All new teachers will have limited experience, no matter what their grade level or subject area. It's the nature of being a new teacher. I do, however, have a vast wealth of resources for teaching high school history at my disposal, namely a personal mentor who has been teaching it for 20+ years.
It's my passion for teaching and making a difference in students' lives that makes me an excellent candidate for both positions. Thank you for forwarding my resume to the screening committee, but I would still love to have the chance to talk to you more in depth about the specifics of what you and the students need in a teacher and how I can fulfill those needs.
Thank you again,
There was no reply. No surprise, principals are just as busy as teachers. It was nice to at least get the initial brush off email.
But I was suddenly on a roll.
I sent various other emails to other principals to let them know I was interested in their school and being a part of it.
Your school has a garden? Great! I'm the child of an organic farmer, I grow a garden in my yard, I'd be thrilled to be able to teach students and their families about sustainability and how to maintain a community garden project.
You need bilingual teachers? Fabulous, I'll learn Spanish. From the kids.
Maybe the best email I sent today was to the principal of a school where I'd already been turned down for an immediate long-term sub position. They hired someone last week.
But I was suddenly on a roll.
I sent various other emails to other principals to let them know I was interested in their school and being a part of it.
Your school has a garden? Great! I'm the child of an organic farmer, I grow a garden in my yard, I'd be thrilled to be able to teach students and their families about sustainability and how to maintain a community garden project.
You need bilingual teachers? Fabulous, I'll learn Spanish. From the kids.
Maybe the best email I sent today was to the principal of a school where I'd already been turned down for an immediate long-term sub position. They hired someone last week.
Good morning Sean,
Just wanted to touch base and see if your candidate worked out?
I'm still available with my mountains of US history assignments and ready to go! :)
Thanks,
If there's one thing I've learned working in corporate America, it's that sometimes people who interview well don't work so well. Some people think they are the cat's pajamas, when in fact they'd be lucky to be cat food. We all know those people.
I did get a reply to this one... Their candidate is working out well, but if anything changes, they'll keep me in mind.
Can't hurt to keep myself on the radar.
I did get a reply to this one... Their candidate is working out well, but if anything changes, they'll keep me in mind.
Can't hurt to keep myself on the radar.