MN education fair - Apr 15

Those of you who are graduates of MN colleges and universities are invited to the MN Education Job Fair on Monday, April 15th at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Only MN college and university students and alumni are able to attend this event, and in order to attend, you must register through your institution's career services office.

On this page, you'll find a list of all institutions' career services center contact information to be sure you get registered for this important event.

Once you're registered, it's time to prepare for the event. The site has some helpful tips for preparation. You should make sure to have an updated resume and, if possible, you should complete application for your priority districts ahead of time. Develop a "plan of attack" - know the layout of the convention center and where the districts are that you want to visit. And plan a 30-second introduction to share about you and your skills. Practice this with anyone who will listen!

You can review some of the resume and interview tips that I've written about previously here.

Good luck!

job opportunities

With December graduates about to head out into the workplace, I thought I'd offer some ideas for the job search. Mid-year, there aren't always a lot of full-time positions open for teaching, but it is a good time to look for long-term sub openings and other education-related jobs.

EdPost has a number of jobs listed right now.

The MN Association of School Administrators is also a good site to search for openings, and there are several full-time teaching positions posted.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis also has several positions open.

And check out the Mpls and St. Paul schools websites (and any other districts you're interested in which you're interested in working!). There are a few positions open, including a .6 Social Studies teacher position available at Roosevelt High School open. (For the Roosevelt position, they are seeking a strong candidate, who understands how to enact culturally relevant pedagogy, has good classroom management skills and is looking to work in a diverse setting: contact Jehanne Beaton Zirps at jebea001@mpls.k12.mn.us if qualified and interested).

And Stillwater Junior Highs are looking for AmeriCorps Promise Fellows applicants. Interested applicants can send questions and/or resumes to Eric Anderson: Coordinator, Stillwater Area Public Schools, Office of Equity and Integration, andersone@stillwater.k12.mn.us

teaching abroad

In summer 2011, I wrote a post about international teaching positions. I've been talking to a number of teachers (preservice and inservice) that are intrigued by the idea of teaching in another country.

Many teachers have the experience that they wanted to study abroad in college, but if they completed education as a major in college, it was difficult to fit into the demanding course sequence. Also, financially it can be difficult to make a study abroad opportunity work for some. But, that doesn't mean you lost your chance to live and work abroad.

There are lots of opportunities to teach abroad, and if you are seriously considering it, you'll want to look seriously at the UNI Overseas Recruiting Fair, held in January 2013. There is a cost associated, and those that register before Dec 3 get a cheaper price. If you're finishing your teacher prep program this and will have a license before Fall 2013 (or you're already licensed and looking for an amazing new teaching opportunity), check it out.

I've known several teachers that have gone to the fair, and secured teaching jobs in places like Greece, China, Thailand, Brazil, and Columbia. And have had life-changing experiences spending 2 years teaching abroad - gaining valuable teaching experience, as well as learning about another culture. Often, schools are looking for teachers with experience, but there are schools that will hire new college grads with the right qualifications for a certain position.

Something to think about...

finding a teaching job

Yes, it is that time of year. For many of you readers, you have a job and are fortunate to be staying put. Some of you will have been let go due to budget cuts, and others of you may still be looking for first jobs. Or (congrats!) you just finished your student teaching and are graduating soon and beginning your first search for a teaching job.

I did an entire series of posts about the job search last spring, and here are some of the specific posts you might want to refer to if you are conducting a job search:

• Writing your resume and cover letter
• Learning about the school and district
• Thinking about your strengths and weaknesses
• Planning your attire and thinking about your body language
• Questions to ask in the interview
• Following up after an interview

If you look in the labels section of the blog and click on "job search," all the posts related to looking for a job will come up.

But I recently came across a great teacher blog that has some new posts related to the job search - The Cornerstone Blog. The blog has a series of posts including general job search information and advice, a page devoted to finding a teaching job - with some helpful hints about questions to ask in an interview and what to look for in a school, and a page of interview tips. A lot of this is information covered in the posts on this blog, but it is helpful to read it in more than one place in more than one way.

I'll be doing job search posts often in the coming months with new information to help you in your quest for a teaching job. Let me know if you have helpful tips to share!

social studies resources (including Titanic-mania!)

I haven't provided some good resources for social studies teachers lately, so I thought I would pass along some great resources for you to look through in all your spare time (ha!). Here are some of my favorites. What are yours?

The Library of Congress has some amazing resources available for teachers found on their site and their blog: Teaching with the Library of Congress. I also love the map collections there. Virginia Tech has some cool modules on US and European History on their Digital History website. Annenberg Media has created some interactive modules as professional development in historical thinking and interactives for students as well. Teachinghistory.org focuses on historical thinking, and because I believe in the power of music to tell a story and as a sense of context, the collection of posts about teaching social studies through music appeals to me. Teaching History with Technology also provides lesson plan and presentation ideas, and resources for collaborative research projects using technology. These barely scratch the surface, and are mostly history-related. I'll definitely do another post on this, as there are so many resources to share.

This is maybe a bit late, as the anniversary is this weekend, but perhaps students will still be interested on Monday! As for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, one historian out there estimates that the only two things more written about than the sinking of the Titanic are Jesus and the Civil War. That might not be true, but what is true is that for 100 years, the Titanic and its demise has captured the attention of young and old. With the rerelease of the James Cameron blockbuster, many are obsessed all over again. The NY Times has an article with tons of links to passenger accounts and historical coverage of the sinking.  NPR's Planet Money did an interesting story about why people on the Titanic didn't panic that would be interesting to read with students. Teacher Larry Ferlazzo has an amazing list of websites for teaching about the Titanic disaster. The Library of Congress has some great resources around teaching tragedies (a la the Titanic).  History Tech has some cool iPad apps about the Titanic. There's also an interesting unit on media critical thinking posted here.  Thinkfinity has some great lesson plans linked to their page. Go to the site and type "Titanic" into the search bar and go!

And (unrelated but timely) don't forget about the TC2 Job Fair coming up on Apr 17 (next Tuesday!), open to teacher candidates prepared at the TC2 institutions, and the MN Education Job Fair on Monday, Apr 23, which is open to all MN university teacher candidates and/or alumni. Let us know how the events go!

TC2 Teacher Job Fair! April 17th

Teacher Candidates completing their teacher licensure programs at TC2 partner colleges and universities are invited to attend a Teacher Job Fair on Tuesday, April 17 from 4:30-6:30 at Hamline University in the Bush Student Center Ballroom (2nd Floor), 1561 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul. TC2 partner institutions include:

• Augsburg College
• Bethel University
• Concordia University (St. Paul)
• Hamline University
• St. Catherine University
• University of St. Thomas

Representatives of the Minneapolis public school district and the St. Paul public school district will be available. Attend the event to learn how your career goals may fit their current and future hiring needs.

Representatives will have the opportunity to identify candidates to interview during the fair, so bring copies of your resume with you!

You do not need to register ahead of time for this event. Parking is located in the visitor parking lot at the corner of Hewitt Ave and Pascal Street in St. Paul. See the TC2 website for a flyer for contact information if you have any questions about the event.

upcoming education job fair_April 23

Next month, on Monday April 23, the 2012 MN Education Job Fair will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The fair will be held from 10-3, though interviewing with districts may occur through 5 pm that afternoon.

This is an event open only to MN college and university students and alumni. In order to register, you must go through your college or university's career services office. You can find contact information for MN college and university career service offices here. Your college/university career services office may be planning an information session to help you get prepared for the fair, so visit the website asap to get that on your calendar.

The MN Education Job Fair site has a very helpful pdf download available with tips to help you prepare for the job fair. Look under the "Student" section on the left-hand site and click "Prepare for the fair." Aside from researching districts that will be there and completing applications ahead of time for the districts you are most interested in, the preparation sheet advises job seekers to have copies of an outstanding resume to hand out and prepare (and practice!) a 30 second "elevator speech," giving the highlights of who you are and your experience. You can search this blog for posts labeled "job search" for more helpful tips in prep for the Job Fair.

This is a great opportunity for folks about to graduate or those who have already finished but are still looking for a job or looking to switch positions. If any readers went last year, what are some words of advice for attendees?

following up after an interview

There's no hard and fast rule about sending thank you notes after an interview. Often, interview committees make decisions quickly - they conduct interviews in a day or two, make reference calls on the finalists the next, and make their decision and extend the offer within a few days. Therefore, it is sometimes unlikely that the interview committee would see the thank you letter until after they've made a decision.

BUT (and this is a big but) sending a thank you is not only proper etiquette, and it can be a way to distinguish yourself. Depending on the turn around in the decision, sending a thank you might not end up influencing this particular decision, but the interview committee will likely remember you if you've followed up with them, reminding them one more time of who you are and what you have to offer the school and district. If another position opens up, they'll think about you. You might be the only one to have done this, and any way you can set yourself apart is a good thing.

If you are going to write a thank you, do it as soon as possible - even the same day. It still could influence a decision if you could get it in the mail quickly enough. Send the letter addressed in care of the panel's chairperson.  Here's how you can structure your thank you letter:

• First paragraph: thank the interviewer for considering you for the position. Mention something specific you appreciated about the meeting.
• Second paragraph: briefly review your qualifications and the ways you think you are a good match for the position.
• Final paragraph: thank the interviewer for their time, and express your continued interest in the position.

The letter can be brief and should be typed for neatness sake. It can be an important step in getting a job!

References: Warner, J. & Bryan, C. (2006). Inside secrets of finding a teaching job (3rd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.

Job Search Handbook for Educators (2010), 45th Ed. American Association for Employment in Education, Inc.

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Have you sent out thank you notes after interviews?

preparing for an interview: a few more tips

Here are a few more essentials to consider when interviewing...

1. Your cell phone: You are not so important that you can't turn off your phone for an interview. Just in case, leave it in the car. That way you're sure it won't interrupt the interview and take away from the impression you're working so hard to create.
2. Timeliness: Don't be late. I know this seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised. When you are late to an interview, you are indicating that your time is more valuable than the interview committees. If you're worried about traffic, leave in plenty of time. Better yet, do a test run a few days ahead at the same time of day you'll be headed there, just so you know what to expect. Don't show up way too early, though. You want to be respectful of the committee and the other interviews they may be conducting. If you're really early, you can always listen to a few more songs on the radio of the car. Bring your anthem song to pump you up.
3. Gum: You may not chew gum in an interview. I've seen it. To be honest, I have a habit of chewing gum when I'm nervous so I get it. However, I know better than to chew gum when talking in front of groups. When people are going to be listening to you talk, you want them to pay attention to your words, not be distracted by your gum. Besides, many schools have a no gum policy, so you don't want to turn them off right off the bat.
4. Stay positive: You may have had a really tough student teaching placement. You'll need to be able to communicate this without descending into badmouthing the school or teacher with whom you worked. Being negative just won't work in your favor.

Next post: following up after an interview

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What's the anthem song you'd play to pump you up before an interview?

preparing for an interview: body language

My 4th year of teaching, the teacher next to me retired. She had been teaching in the district her whole career and was a fantastic teacher. She was certainly going to be missed. Hiring her replacement was a big job, and I was fortunate to be a part of it. We interviewed 6 candidates, one who had been a sub in the building after she graduated in December. She hadn't been a particularly standout sub, but we knew her and were happy to give her an interview.

But when she came in for her interview, she behaved as though she already had the job. She leaned back casually in the chair. She picked at her fingernails and didn't look at us. Her answers were short and not very thoughtful. In the end we believed she didn't take the interview very seriously and went with someone else - a teacher still there today who is one of the strongest in the school. The long-term sub was really upset not to get the job, but we wanted someone who would take working in our school seriously, and she didn't seem to be that person. Perhaps she was just nervous, but regardless, she wasn't the strongest candidate. And her body language had a lot to do with it.

You really can make or break an interview by how you act. You can behave confidently without arrogance. Show this through eye contact, a firm handshake, and open posture (no crossed arms). Be careful of the nervous habits you may have - playing with your hair, scratching your arm, picking at or biting your nails, cracking your knuckles, wringing your hands. These actions convey nerves and uneasiness. Of course you'll be nervous, but you want to make sure that the interview committee is listening to what you say, not watching what your body language is telling them. Oh, and that reminds me - don't tell the committee you are nervous. I've seen it happen. It just isn't professional to tell the committee you are nervous. Again, of course you are if you are taking this interview seriously. But it will leave an impression that you don't want to last.

Next post: a few more tips

Reference: Warner, J. & Bryan, C. (2006). Inside secrets of finding a teaching job (3rd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.

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What are some of the nervous habits you'll be working to avoid during interviews?

preparing for an interview: thinking about your attire

When I was a recent college grad happily searching for my first teaching job, I had enthusiasm in abundance but my finances were limited. I didn't have the money for a really great interview suit, but I did have a kind cousin about my size who gave me one of her suits. The suit wasn't the most trendy outfit, but it was modest, in excellent shape, and fit well. I don't think it got me my first job, but it certainly looked professional and didn't detract from my interview. When I had money to buy myself a new suit the next time I was interviewing, I bought a suit I still wear ten years later. Though fashion generally shifts rapidly, conservative business dress does not. A great suit can last you a decade.

I know you've heard this before, but you really need to consider what you wear to interviews. If this weren't an issue, folks would stop talking about it. But I have sat in on interviews lately and been really shocked at how inappropriately some people choose to dress for interviews, the most professional activity you're likely to be involved with in the near future. If you can't get a new interview outfit, raid friends' or relatives' closets. You only need one suit and can wear it to all your interviews. You'll be the only one to know.

In dressing for an interview, you should choose to wear the most professional outfit you own. It shows you care and are taking this interview and the opportunity to teach students seriously. This is not the time to look your most trendy, most sexy, most anything other than professional. All you get is one impression. Make sure it is a good one.

Ladies, I'm just going to say it - an interview is no place for cleavage and thighs. Under your suit, your top should be modestly cut and lace tops are not appropriate. If you wear a skirt, it should be long enough to cover your thighs even when you are seated. Again, maybe not the most trendy or most fashionable, but it is most appropriate. Which is your biggest concern here.

Men, you might not want to hear this, but you need to wear a tie. Why? Why not?! Why would you take a chance and not dress your best? Ties should be conservative, avoiding characters or extreme colors. Long sleeved shirts are most appropriate, even in the summer.

Bottom line: interviews are the place for conservative business suits. Conservative colors (black, navy, gray, brown) are best. Interview attire plays a supporting role in your job search. Make sure that role helps you get the job.

Next post: body language

References: Warner, J. & Bryan, C. (2006). Inside secrets of finding a teaching job (3rd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.

Job Search Handbook for Educators (2010), 45th Ed. American Association for Employment in Education, Inc.

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What will you be wearing to job interviews this summer?

preparing for an interview: bring questions

At the end of your interview, you'll be asked if you have any questions for the interview panel. Sometimes it is hard to know what to ask, because you don't know what you don't know. You know? What I mean is that before you get a teaching position, it is hard to anticipate what kinds of questions you might want to ask. But here are some questions you might want to know the answers to. When you come prepared with questions, it shows that you're very serious about this position and demonstrates your professionalism.

1. What are the strengths of the school/district?
2. What were your school's goals for the last year? 
3. What new innovations or programs has the school or district implemented?
4. Does the school or district have a mentor-teacher program?
5. What priorities would you have for me as a new teacher in this school?
6. What kinds of extra curricular activities are available within your school and district?
7. How does the school and district support professional development?

This is by no means a complete list of questions, but it can get you started thinking about what you might want to know about the school and district. The important thing is to remember to ask questions sincerely that are important to you. Tone is so important when asking questions. Make sure you choose your words thoughtfully.

Now for some don'ts. At the interview, you should avoid asking questions related to salary and benefits. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions about this when the position is offered before you make a final decision. Likewise, this is not the opportunity to ask about taking time off for your best friend's wedding. You'll be able to consult the employee handbook for this information after you've received an offer.

With a few thoughtful and meaningful questions, you'll impress the interview committee with your engagement in the interview for that position. It could be just the bonus to get you an offer!

Next post: what not to wear

References: Warner, J. & Bryan, C. (2006). Inside secrets of finding a teaching job (3rd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.

Job Search Handbook for Educators (2010), 45th Ed. American Association for Employment in Education, Inc.

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Have you asked any questions in interviews that were particularly helpful?

preparing for an interview: practice, practice, practice

My sister is headed to California for an interview today. Not for a teaching job (she's not competition, don't worry!), but for an environmental policy fellowship. She's nervous, but she's been preparing since she got the call and is confident she has all her talking points prepared. In fact, in preparation to summarize her research to the committee, she practiced over the phone with me several times last night.

This may seem silly, to think about practicing for an interview out loud to others, but really it is an essential part of being fully prepared for an interview. While you can't know every question that an interview panel is going to ask, you can do some thinking for some of the questions you're likely to encounter. Overall, you'll want to be sure to convey clearly that all students can learn, and how you'll help raise academic achievement in your classroom. Any examples of how you've helped students achieve high standards will be great to prepare talking about.

First, prepare some talking points for the question, "Tell us about yourself." This question requires you to be concise in your response, but is open-ended enough to allow you to sell yourself a bit. Tell them what makes you unique and worth hiring.

Second, think about "Why do you want to be a teacher?" or related questions like, "Why do you want to be a teacher at our school?" Don't get too carried away, but speak clearly about your passion for teaching. Avoid talking about how your family members are all teachers - they want to know about you, not your family. They also want to know if you took the time to learn about the school and district. Your cover letter should indicate some of this, but you can work more in here.

More and more, teachers must be able to use data to inform their instruction and to differentiate instruction to meet students' needs. Think about examples from your coursework, field placements, and student teaching that has given you experience analyzing data, planning instruction based on results, and planning for and leading small group instruction based on student needs. If you haven't had practice in this area, talk about your plan to become adept at differentiating instruction.

Another question could be how you've used feedback to modify your instruction.  A question like this is looking to see whether you're a collaborator and interested in continuing to learn about your practice. You might be directly asked about team teaching or collaborative planning. Any examples from your field placements or student teaching would be great illustration for your ideas here.

You're likely to get asked a question about classroom management style, either directly in a question such as, "What kind of classroom management plan do you like best?" or "Describe your classroom management philosophy," or you'll get asked a scenario about, say, a disruptive student and ask you to discuss how you'd respond.  You'll want to be able to discuss your plan briefly and completely, and share how you'll set up a learning environment that is organized, respectful, and academically rigorous, while considering the social and emotional needs of students as well.  Be prepared to share why you like your plan and think it works best for students, and provide any examples of how it has worked for you in the past.

Other common questions include:
How would you involve the community in your classroom?
What are some current educational trends that relate to your curriculum area/grade level?
What would we see if we walked into your classroom?
What was the last book you read?
What are some of your hobbies?

Spending some time crafting responses to these questions is likely to give you an edge in the interview room. A little preparation goes a long way!

Next post: questions YOU should ask

References: Warner, J. & Bryan, C. (2006). Inside secrets of finding a teaching job (3rd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.

Job Search Handbook for Educators (2010), 45th Ed. American Association for Employment in Education, Inc.

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What questions have you been asked in interviews?
Any questions that surprised you?

preparing for an interview: researching the school

You've probably already done some homework on the school for your cover letter in your application, but this is a really important step in your preparation for interviews. Don't rely just going back to your cover letter (though you'll want to review what you wrote, just so you remember!), but instead, do some more digging to become familiar with the school culture, mission, vision, curriculum, and programs. Here are some ideas:

1. The school's website is the first place to stop. Read through the mission of the school. What strikes a chord with you?

2. On the website, see if there is a link to a school newsletter. This is a great resource to help you find out some of the current initiatives of the school, fun and interesting activities that have taken place, and they often include a letter from the principal, so you can get a sense of how she or he talks about the school and students.

3. Then, see if there are individual teacher web pages linked to the school website. This can be a great way to see what teachers and students are working on at the school. You might find more specific information about curriculum materials in place for, say, their reading or math program, and you can do a little more digging about those particular materials in preparation. You can also get a sense of the folks that might (hopefully!) become your future colleagues.

4. Check out the assessment and demographic data for the school on the state department of education website. In Minnesota, you can find that information here. This assessment and demographic data, as you all know, only provides one snapshot of information about the school, but can help you get a sense of what the school's priorities might be. If they are not making AYP with certain groups of students or in certain subject areas, those are likely clues of what the school will be focusing on in the next school year.

5.  Also, if possible, learn something about the community. Check out the local Chamber of Commerce or community website, local newspapers, or even better, take a drive around the school and community to get a feel for the neighborhood.

The more homework you do ahead of time, the more likely you will be able to convey a genuine and articulate interest in that particular school and that particular position.  Hiring committees want to make sure they hire the best person out there, and someone who has done their homework about the school will have an advantage over someone who has only general things to say about why they are interested in the position.

Next post: practicing for your interview

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Are you finding interesting positions to apply for?

preparing for an interview: your strengths and weaknesses

So you got an interview?! Congrats! Now through August is the busy time for interview committees. Some schools will know their personnel needs right now and be in the position to interview; some school districts will be waiting until after their budgets are settled at the end of June before posting and interviewing for new positions. Either way, there are some things you can do now to prepare. The next series of posts will help you get ready for those all-important interviews.

Something important to remember is that when you go to an interview, the committee has already reviewed your resume and cover letter and determined that you fit their professional needs. What they really need to know in the interview are your intangible strengths, whether you're likeable, enthusiastic, dependable, thoughtful, articulate, interesting, and can think on your feet, the things that can't completely come across on paper.

One thing to prepare for is the "greatest strength, greatest weakness" question that plague interviewees.  Interview committees ask this question to gauge your perception of your talents and abilities and whether you'll be an asset to a school. To prepare before your interview for this tough question, think about how you can demonstrate the above traits: dependability, responsibility, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, organization, collaboration, flexibility, communication, quick learner.  Be prepared to name the strength AND give a specific example of how you have demonstrated the trait.  The explanation, as most of your answers, should be specific and to-the-point. You want to be sure to be clear and not try to talk yourself into an answer. Interview committees are looking for candidates who are assured in their responses and don't have to drone on and on in order to come to an answer to a question.  You'll have about 20-30 minutes in an interview to sell yourself, so you want to be as articulate and coherent in your responses as possible.

For example, if you are flexible, name the time that you, say, had to quickly switch ideas when it rained on the outdoor summer camp activity you had planned as a counselor. You rethought the activity and were able to put a new, successful plan into place in the cafeteria. Name the trait, give a brief but clear example, and leave it at that.  What about being organized? Maybe you were in charge of the education club in college and had to coordinate the meetings or plan events. Again, be specific here. A great way to think through this is to talk with someone who knows you well. Have them work with you to make sure you are clear about your strengths and giving succinct (and honest) examples of that strength.

Now for the tougher question: what are your weaknesses? For this, be careful about insincere responses like, "Sometimes I just work too hard." Hiring committees can see through this type of self-congratulatory response. They are looking to see how you'll react when put on the spot.  However, you can provide examples of ways that you've worked on a past weakness and how this is now an area of strength; or, you can present a clear action plan that is helping you/will help you work on that weakness. For example, maybe at the start of your student teaching you had a hard time planning for the time it would take for certain lessons. Talk about a strategy you put into place to keep you on track and how you've improved on this weakness. Here, it's best to stick with job-related weaknesses rather than personal ones.

Be careful about your tone when answering this question. You should aim to avoid an attitude that you see this as a trick question. Keep your response as real and honest as possible. Also, avoid getting dragged down here either with lots of details about your weaknesses. Be really short and succinct, and just present "the tip of the iceberg." This is not the place to go on and on about yourself - save that for the times you can add in the great, cool stuff about you! You don't need to give folks all the dirty details about your trouble with time management or getting caught up in details.

This process of identifying your strengths and weaknesses can take some time. Prepare by having honest conversations with those you love, and spend some time really thinking through what skills and traits you bring to a teaching job. This thinking might help inform your cover letters, too. Once you've identified these traits, refine and practice how you might answer these questions if they come up in an interview. Practicing succinct answers will help you set yourself apart on interview day.

Next post: doing your homework on the position

References: Warner, J. & Bryan, C. (2006). Inside secrets of finding a teaching job (3rd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing.

Job Search Handbook for Educators (2010), 45th Ed. American Association for Employment in Education, Inc.

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So what are YOUR strengths and weaknesses?
How will you spin your weaknesses in your favor?

International Teaching Position Sites

So you're looking for an adventure? Teaching anywhere is an adventure, but choosing to teach overseas can push you to grow professionally AND personally. Teachers opting for such an experience need to be flexible, self-reliant, and tolerant. If that sounds like you, maybe you want to consider teaching abroad!

Though I haven't taken advantage of this opportunity, I have many friends who have and made life-long friends and saw parts of the world they may never have experienced otherwise. It's important, though, that this not just be a way to 'get a job.' You need to have other motivations, and also be a search for the right fit. In an interview with an international school, just as with a school here in MN, you need to be able to clearly articulate an answer to the question, "Why do you want to teach here?"

There are different types of schools to consider when thinking about teaching abroad. First, there are international schools. These schools provide education in English to children of the host country as well as the international community. Often, these schools have ties to American embassies, and have staff that is a mix of teachers from within and outside the country. These are often the schools that recruit at international teacher recruiting fair, such as the fair held in Cedar Rapids at the University of Northern Iowa. The next fair isn't until February 2012, but you might want to keep it in mind. TIE Online is another resource for finding international school teaching positions.  The International Schools Services website can also help you find international teaching opportunities.  Overseas Jobs is another place to try.

The next international teaching opportunity to consider would be teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).  Here you would have options within schools or in commercial or government settings. Though some programs require only a college degree, most require a teaching license and others yet require formal education in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). One popular program for this is the JET program - the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program. The best place to start, though, is probably TESOL, an organization dedicated to Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. At this site, you'll find info about qualifications, tips for finding jobs in and outside the US, Though it may seem unlikely, the website Dave's ESL Cafe is also a great place for more info on teaching ESL overseas.

And then there are Department of Defense schools, which are schools on military bases around the world. Here you would teach the children of military and civilian personnel living on the bases. The place to go for more info about these opportunities is the US Department of Defense Schools website.

All this has even me thinking...

National Teaching Position Websites

Below you will find some links to websites providing job postings in education across the US, in the event that you are willing to or interested in relocating. Of course, you can also access these for postings in MN too!

Teachers-Teachers.com (here you'll create an account, and add in your license certification information to narrow your search; postings across US, not just MN)

Education America (Education America Network posts positions across the US. You can create a free account, but you can also search postings without an account.)

K-12 Jobspot (here you can search for positions without an account)

K12 Jobs (for this search site, you'll create an account to narrow your search within your licensure areas)

Teacher.net (you can search here without an account, searching by location, level, and discipline)

Each state will also have several search options for teaching jobs, sometimes through their Department of Education office or independently run websites like some of those listed in the previous posting on MN-specific job sites.

Next post: International Teaching Job Sites

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If you were to leave MN, where would you want to teach?

MN Teaching Position Websites

So you've worked hard on your cover letter and resumes, and now you're wondering where to look for job postings. Finding postings for vacancies can be tough work, but here's a beginning list of some web resources for MN teaching job postings:

EdPost Listings (this site is specific to MN teaching positions, run by St. Cloud State)

MN Association of School Administrators (under 'Applicants' click 'Search for a job' and input your desired job information. You'll probably want to leave it as open as possible, with the exception of restricting positions to your licensure area.)

MN Teacher Recruitment Center (located within the MDE website, you'll create an account and view listings of open positions) 

Individual District Websites (this link goes to MN Dept of Ed lists of all districts and schools. Once you find names of districts you're interested in, you'll have to google the specific website information. Yes, this is a tedious process, but lots of folks say it is how they found their jobs! Once you identify districts you're interested in, bookmark the Human Resources or Employment page for the district and check back regularly.)

Land It! (this is not just for positions in the Education field; you'll be prompted to create a free account)

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (teaching positions within private Catholic schools in Mpls and St. Paul)

And don't forget about newspapers. Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press are good resources too.

Next posting: US-wide teaching position websites

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Are you hoping to stay in MN?
What would your dream job be?

resume advice

Cover letters are the first thing your potential employers will see. If it is well-written and interesting enough, they'll turn the page and take a look at your resume. That doesn't mean it is less important; resumes are just as essential an element in your job search portfolio. It's a history of your education and work life. Along with the cover letter, application, and references, a resume is used to screen the large pool of applicants down to those that get an interview.

Most of you have a resume by now. So I'm going to touch on a few things to keep in mind.

• Resumes are unique documents. There's no real right or wrong way to create a resume. Though it is tempting to use a template document, you'll want to make sure the resume is as unique as you are.
• Sections typically found in a resume include: name and contact info, objective, education, honors/awards, licensure, teaching experience (your student teaching and practicum experiences), coaching/volunteer/related work experience.
• Say away from "I" in your resume. Start statements about your experiences with action verbs. Here are a couple links to some helpful lists of action verbs.
• Carefully consider the length of your resume. If you have extensive work experience, a resume can be longer than a page. But in that case, make sure the most important info is on the first side, as you run the risk that only the first page will be considered.

What makes a resume outstanding?

• Brief and concise
• Easy to read format and font
• No more than 3-5 headings
• Uniform margins, no smaller than an inch on all sides
• Power words and teaching-specific keywords
• Skills, talents, and abilities that are transferable to the classrom
• And of course, no typos or misspelled words. Proofread! And then proofread again! And then get some other kind folks to proofread! 

Most of your institutions have resume and cover letter suggestions on their websites. If you're having trouble getting started, those sites are a great place to start to find resources or schedule individual meetings with career counselors.

• Augsburg's Strommen Career and Internship Center
• Bethel's Office of Career Services
• Concordia Career Services 
• Hamline's Career Development Center
• St. Catherine University's Career Development Center
• University of St. Thomas's Career Development Center

Good luck! Next topic: discovering job vacancies

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How will you present your uniqueness in your resume?

example of a cover letter

Yeah, yeah, you say. I know that the cover letter shouldn't have grammar and spelling issues. But what does it look like?

Here's an example of a cover letter. It can serve as a guide as you think about crafting your own, unique letter.

Your Address

City, State Zip

(phone number or email optional)

May 10, 2011

[leave 2-3 blank lines here]

Ms. Sharon Wells

Assistant Superintendent

Prairie Valley Public Schools

1234 Main Street

Funtown, MN 12345

[leave 2-3 blank lines here]

Dear Ms. Sharon Wells:

It is with enthusiasm and interest that I am writing as an applicant for your current posting for a fifth grade classroom teacher for the 2011-2012 school year at Maple Ridge Elementary School in the Prairie Valley School District.  My student teaching cooperating teacher, Jane Smith, encouraged me to apply for the position. Jane is happily employed at Blue Lake Elementary in your district. I am currently a student at University, where I will earn my bachelor's degree in May with a major in elementary education with licensure for K-6 and a minor in Spanish.

[This first paragraph is your chance to catch the reader's attention. If you have a connection to the district, be sure to mention it. Be clear about the position for which you are applying, and how you are qualified for that position.]

Maple Ridge Elementary is of particular interest to me because of its focus on providing all students a relevant and challenging learning experience and its commitment to promoting equity among all students.  As indicated in my resume, I am completing my student teaching in Minneapolis, MN. At Minneapolis Elementary, I have been professionally challenged to meet the needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse fourth grade classroom. I believe it is important to understand the different learning styles and strengths that students bring to the classroom. Through my student teaching in this classroom, I have gained the ability to modify lessons to provide accommodations for the learning needs of all my students. An example of this is in the Earth Science unit I have developed, which includes hands-on, teacher-led, discussion-based and student-taught lessons.

[Clearly express why you want this position and how you are a good fit for the position and/or company. Highlight your relevant academic, experiential, and personal background. Focus on 2-3 specific qualifications and provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated the skills they are looking for. Use your voice to help bring life and personality to your application. But remember to be specific. Above all, clearly articulate the match between you and the desired position.]

I am eager for the opportunity to continue to pursue my passion for teaching and supporting student learning. I believe that my strong academic background in education and my minor in Spanish will complement the fifth grade position at Maple Ridge Elementary. I have included my resume, contact information for my references, and my application. I would be delighted to meet with you at your convenience. I can be reached by phone at (201) 555-5309 or email at yourname@school.edu. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to sharing how my experiences might benefit the students and families of Maple Ridge Elementary School.

[Let them know what you've included with the letter - your resume, an application, references, etc. Include your contact information again, and thank them for their consideration of your application materials. Show that you are interested in meeting with them.]

Sincerely,

[3-4 blank lines for your signature]

Your typed name

A couple more tips for cover letters:

• Always address the letter to the specific person doing the hiring, not "To Whom it May Concern." This may mean searching the website or a phone call to the main number of the school/district. Make sure, too, that you have the correct title for this person (Ms., Mr., Dr. etc).
• Avoid using passive voice in your letter. Try to use as many strong verbs as possible.
• Stay away from using acronyms, jargon, and cliches.

Good luck as you continue crafting your cover letters!

Next topic: resume pointers

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How is your cover letter coming along?

Who are you enlisting to help you revise and edit your cover letters?

What other questions do you have about crafting effective cover letters?