hi John,
I am sure that you are right, that not all teaching positions
are granted on a who-you-know basis, but, ironically, once I
did ask why I did not get the job and I was told: "you did
fine, it is just that the person who did get it was better
connected".

That was back when I was only certified in Social Studies and
face it, you have to know someone or have something
extraordinarily special (like skill in coaching football) to
land an SS position.

I earned my M.Ed Reading Specialist last spring and was offered
three jobs at school where I knew no one. But the school I
chose is cutting a lot of positions this year, including mine
and I have to say that it seems a bit funny to me that I am
loosing my job, while another reading teacher hired exactly at
the same time as me, who does not have a masers in Reading, but
whose father is the retired superintendent of a neighboring
school district and happens to play golf with our principal is
keeping hers. I am not saying that it is a fact that that is
the reason, but since I am not being given a reason all I have
is conjecture.

I have enjoyed your posts very much. And I am interested to
know your answer to this. When you decide to become a
principal, do you contemplate the time that you might have to
say to someone "We are not going to renew your contract next
year. We do not have to give you a reason why, and we are not
going to give you a letter of recommendation"? Having to do
something like that to someone is enough to keep me from ever
wanting to be a principal. Having it done to me is enough to
make me finally abandon my life's pursuit of teaching. It
seems now to me like such a cruel profession. Doesn't having to
do that sort of take all the pleasure out of your job?

On 9/06/08, John J. Stone PK-5 Principal wrote:
> Just my thoughts....
>
> I read so many posts about people saying you have to know
> someone or be related or blah blah blah in NH and most SAU
> in NH. As a Principal I hire the best of the applicants
> based on my team who interviews with me. I hired a teacher
> via phone interviews from Ohio, new staff right out of
> college who were complete unknowns to us, did not hire some
> good friends due to one reason or other, hired older
> teachers, younger teachers, those with no experience at all
> because we had a gut feeling they were going to be good and
> THEY WERE! I believe everyone needs that first break and if
> they seem good enough etc. they will get the job!
>
> I really feel comments like hiring in NH is all based on
> who you know, from within etc. is a COP OUT for those who
> are upset they did not get a job after an interview and are
> not happy so some excuse has to be made.
>
> I will not disagree that in some places there is hiring
> based on who you know etc no matter if you are a street
> sweeper,a senator, store clerk, computer programmer,
> teacher etc. and that is wrong unless the person is the
> best for the job!
>
> I suggest to anyone looking for a job (myself included if I
> were looking) to be yourself in an interview, never claim
> to be a "know it all", speak the truth, and learn from
> interviews what you lacked by calling and asking how you
> could do better to land a job.
>
> When I first started looking for Principal jobs (13 years
> ago) I called and asked why I was not chosen and was told I
> needed more experience in curriculum writing. I took a long
> look at myself (wanting to blame others for my lack of
> knowledge) and got experience so I could land a job once I
> took care of my weaknesses.
>
> I guess what I am saying is "Don't give up! We do hire whom
> we feel are the best and you need to sell yourself honestly
> to land a job"
>
> Someday you will land that job but in the meantime don't
> blame us or make accusations. Look at yourself also and
> improve your interview skills as stated above.

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