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Kathleen - Good evening, everyone! Welcome to what will be a session on job hunting skills:-)
Kathleen - Well, our guest is late and Principal Bev has agreed to take some questions, so let's begin. Bev, would you like to tell us a little about yourself before we start?
Bev - I'm an elementary school principal of an inner city PreK-2nd grade school in North Carolina. I taught Title 1 Reading for several years...(my love). I have over 25 years of teaching experience. Our school is currently studying Quality....and we are taking steps toward becoming a Quality School. I have one son (sophomore in college) and 200 other boys and girls..I call my own..! My philosophy is.. If you wake up in the morning and dread heading off to school...You are in the wrong profession". I treat my staff as I would like to be treated...a part of the team...We use Site Based practices...Staff is involved in decision making" We have 74 schools in our county and are currently building 3 more.
Bev - Ok......What kinds of questions do you expect in a teaching interview?
Kathleen - Who has a question about applying or interviewing?
Bev - In a job interview, be prepared to show a portfolio.
Mrs Apple - When looking at a resume, how important are grades to you? What stands out foremost on a resume?
Bev - Experience with children is most important. Grades do not always give a true picture of a candidate's success.
Mrs Apple - Would teaching pre-kinderarten and kindergarten as a Sunday School teacher be valuable experience?
Bev - Mrs. Apple..Yes.....that would
Mrs Apple - But aren't excellent grades indicative of a person's organizational skills, discipline, dedication, etc., etc.?
Bev - What is more important than grades is how well a person can communicate in a classroom. Can you deliver instruction in a way that children remain interested and on task is more important than grades. Student Teaching experience and references from that experience play an important role in the selection process.
Nell - How do you feel about National Board Certification?
Bev - Nell...I think it's an excellent process. Unfortunately, not too many teachers know about it..
Kathleen - Bev, are you more likely to jump at the chance to hire someone with National Board Cert.?
Bev - The process is quite involved and if you are able to become NBC you could snap up a teaching job anywhere...Easily an NBC person would definitely be high on the list..
Mrs Apple - Bev ... But during the interviewing process, how can the interviewer know of the individual's ability to effectively deliver instruction in a classroom setting?
Bev - Mrs. Apple.....It's an innate thing.. You get a feel for this when they describe a typical day in their classroom. Also....I ask for a video of an instructional lesson they have taught.
Mary K&1 - What should be included in a portfolio?
Bev - Portfolios should include letters of reference, A few lesson plans ,data of student success (Test grades, etc.). Educational projects you have completed...pictures of you interacting with students, and a video tape if possible.
Nell - Do most NBC's stay in the classroom or move into other positions?
Bev - Nell...The NBC process is so new at this point, there is no data on that. I have no NBC teachers at my school....and I think there are only a few in our school system.
Mrs Apple - Do you ever ask the question, "Why should I hire you for this position?" If so, what are you looking for in the teaching candidate's reply? Also, how does one look into the NBC process?
Bev - Mrs. Apple... That is definitely one of the questions I ask. We are looking for answers that include being a team player, lifelong learning, doing whatever it takes to help children succeed and for the school goals to be met.
Nell - Do you think more should be done to encourage more teachers to consider NBC?
Bev - Nell..Yes...So many teachers have not even heard of NBC. School Systems should do a better job at getting the information out.
Mary K&1 - How much is age counted against an applicant? Are older people over looked even though this is not supposed to happen?
Bev - That should never be considered...That is discrimination.
Kathleen - But Bev, what does advanced age mean to you in an applicant?
Bev - Kathleen....I never look at that..as a matter of fact...age is not on our applications.
Bev - By looking at number of teaching positions and length of time at each..and checking references, you get an idea of the applicant's success
Mrs Apple - Bev . . Are you a proponent for using thematic teaching in the classroom? How you feel about the usage of worksheets for primary age children?
Bev - Mrs. Apple.....Yes...Thematic teaching , integration of all subject areas is very important. Developmentally Appropriate Practices at the primary grade levels is the key to success for little ones ... Paper/pencil/ worksheets must be limited... Research has shown that hands-on manipulatives...Concrete experiences are the best ways to teach young children.
Nell - I keep reading about the upcoming teacher shortage. What will that do to "quality" teachers?
Kathleen - Nell, do you mean how will quality teachers be affected?
Nell - No, How will we be able to get really good teachers if there are none
Bev - Nell...That is a loaded question...First of all, the public must recognize teacher's value....We must pay better salaries if people are to enter the profession now...When teaching candidates enter the profession and learn that their classmates who opted for other careers are making more than they (twice as much in some cases), it is frustrating..
Bev - Nell...Institutes of higher learning must do a better job at preparing teachers..
Kathleen - Districts will have to offer incentives if there is a shortage and they value quality teacher
Bev - Student Teaching experiences should cover more than just one grading period...
Kathleen - I agree about there being more time spent in student teaching, but with EXCEPTIONALLY qualified coop teachers doing the classroom training supervision
mrs apple - I must admit that I am becoming increasingly frustrated in my job search. I graduated magna cum laude, had A's in both of my student teaching placement, have had 25 years teaching kindergarten as a Sunday School teacher, tons of life experiences . . . Still, no job!!!! What can I do to better my chances for success?
Kathleen - mrs. apple, did you tell us what state you are in?
mrs apple - Illinois
Kathleen - yes, now I recall, Illinois you said has few openings. Do you substitute?
mrs apple - Yes. I subbed all last year.
Bev - Mrs.Apple.....What is the job market like where you are?
Kathleen - mrs. apple, how many interviews have you had?
Bev - NC is begging for good teaching applicants..
mrs apple - I mailed out over 40 resumes and received only 4 interviews. The schools hired individuals who had more experience or student taught in their districts.
Kathleen - mrs. apple, I think you are just up against a very tough market.
Bev - Kathleen..This has been interesting...I came in to hear the expert but enjoyed this session...Please continue to send reminders of this chat..and I'll try to return.
mrs apple - I was non-traditional student who returned to school to earn her degree at age 42. How could I have had teaching experience? That's why I asked about the significance of great grades when looking at a resume.
Nell - mrs apple, are you the one who asked about NBC? You can get info by calling the toll free number. Do you want it?
Kathleen - Bev, would you e-mail me kat@teachers.net?
mrs apple - Nell, Yes I would.
Kathleen - Nell, please post that #. thank you!
Nell - I don't have it right here but call the toll free information and ask for the number for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. They can give it to you. They also have a web site. It's http://www.nbpts.org/
Mary K&1 - Bev, you've been a real team player here tonight! Jumping in and fielding questions was above and beyond, thank you so very much :)
Kathleen - Bev, you are a lifesaver! Thank you (and please mention Teachers.Net in your newsletter!:-)
Kathleen - Bev, our homepage: http://www.teachers.net
Kathleen - Bev, thanks again, you are a real pro!
Bev - Night alll...Enjoyed this....
