- Sample Cover Letter
- Typical Application/Interview Process
- Guide to Writing Resumes
- Resume - Example for Elementary Candidates
- First Impressions: Power of Presence
- Going to the Interview/During the Interview
- Demeanor and Mannerisms
- Fifty Questions You May be Asked
Return to Employment & Certification
June 1, 1995 Dr./Ms./Mr. _____________ - (make
sure you have the appropriate title!) Dear Dr./Ms./Mr.____________ I am writing this letter to express my interest in a teaching position for ABC School District. I recently received my Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) degree from Arizona State University in the area of elementary education. My background includes three semesters of internships at various grade levels and one semester of full-time student teaching at the _____ grade level. Additionally, I am currently----------(this is an optional sentence to include only if it fits your situation: working on my ESL endorsement; working on my masters degree in elementary education; teaching part-time at XYZ school, etc.) (Optional paragraph - use only if it applies) In the past, I have enjoyed working as _______________ (a volunteer for the parks and recreation department in which I was responsible for___________; a teacher at my church in which I was responsible for__________, etc.). Enclosed for your review are my application, resume, transcripts, copy of state certification, and letters of recommendation. The address for my electronic portfolio is http://www.missouriwestern.edu. Please do not hesitate to call if additional information is required (816-271-84321). Email: jra4585@missouriwestern.edu I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Joe/Sally Teacher |
As you move from being a student to being a professional educator, this might be the time to make some changes in how you present yourself. Probably the following email addresses are not appropriate for your new life:
You get the idea. Additionally, consider the greetings message that you have on your answering machine. What you have may not be appropriate for a superintendent of schools to listen to. Superintendents of Schools will be looking for adults who can be teachers. Put your best foot forward. |
You: · Accurately and neatly complete forms at the University Career Placement Center
Step 2: Official Job Applications
You: · Develop resume/philosophy of
education statement
· Accurately,
neatly, and completely fill out official district job application
form
· Send
University Career Placement File to district
· Send
Official University Transcripts to district
Step 3: District-Level "Paper" Screening
They: · Review all potential teacher
applications
· Form
a pool of qualified applicants
· Check
your references
· Contact
you, if you are selected to proceed in the application
process
Step 4: District-Level Initial Screening Interview
You: · Make best first impression
(portfolio optional)
They: · Conduct structured interview
· Evaluate
your responses and professional demeanor
· Identify
best potential hires - those that are most qualified and
those that made strongest
professional presentation
Step 5: Principal's Selection Interview
They: · Look for a best "fit" - enthusiastic,
dedicated
· Conduct
formal and informal interviews
You: · Use portfolio to reveal
strengths, experience, and personality - "Will I fit?"
Education - list your most current degree first, then your GPA.
Certificates - list all certificates and endorsements you have earned (Early Childhood, ESL/BLE, etc.)
Experience - list the most recent teaching experience first -which, for novices, is student teaching.
Related Experience/Community Service - again, the most recent is listed first. Keep in mind that the prospective employer wants a person that has demonstrated he/she can work effectively with students. Therefore, any experience/service you list should be related to the teaching position you are seeking. If possible, describe the major emphasis of the position with action words, for example, taught, coached, directed, counseled, tested, evaluated.
Younger, less experienced applicants may wish to identify college or high school accomplishments.
Special Talents/Attributes - list those activities that highlight your teaching ability, scholarship, communication skills, or artistic/athletic talents that illustrate the unique contributions you could make to the school/district.Honors - employers wish to hire individuals who are dedicated and excel. List any type of honor you have received.
References - list people who have actually observed your teaching ability, including, your cooperating teacher, college supervisor, department or grade level chair, and/or building administrators. It is very important that you list your references' contact information carefully. Home phone numbers are necessary since most hiring is completed during the summer. Include a list of references on your resume and on your University Career Placement File.
EDUCATION:
1992 - Bachelor of Arts in Education, Arizona
State University
Grade Point Average 3.46
CERTIFICATES:
Elementary Education
Early Childhood Endorsement
EXPERIENCE:
Fall 1992 - Student Teaching, Best Elementary,
Any District, Anytown, Arizona. Second Grade.
RELATED EXPERIENCE/COMMUNITY SERVICE:
1988-89 Swim Instructor, Anytown Community
Recreation Center
· Designed
and implemented beginner's swim program
· Instructed
5-6-and 7-year old's beginning swimming classes.
· Directed "Swim
Night" for parents.
1989-90 Arts/Crafts Instructor, Anytown
Parks & Recreation
· Planned
and taught arts & crafts to 3-4- and 5-year olds.
· Compiled
projects and hosted an Open House for families.
HONORS:
· Dean's
Honor Roll
ATTRIBUTES:
One semester of student teaching, three semesters
of internship and work experiences listed above have provided
an excellent start in my teaching career. My classroom
strengths lie in the following areas:
· Rapport
and communication with students and parents.
· Professional
and positive attitude.
· Planning
and classroom management skill.
· Enthusiasm,
motivation, and energy.
· Dependability
and good judgment.
REFERENCES:
- Mrs. Sarah Perfect (Cooperating Teacher, Second Grade) Best Elementary, Any District, Anytown, Arizona.
Home Address Home Phone
- Dr. Kelly Great, Principal, Best Elementary, Any District, Anytown, Arizona.
Home Address Home Phone
- Dr. C. Terrific, College Supervisor, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
Home Address Home Phone
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: POWER OF PRESENCE
When school districts hire teachers, they employ people who immediately inspire the public's trust and confidence. Therefore, among the critical factors district personnel consider when they interview potential teachers are those first visual impressions the candidate makes. It takes less than 7 seconds to make a first impression.
Prepare for your job interview by being able to answer the following questions :
What are the district's expectations?
What are the interviewer's expectations?
How can the desired teacher image be created?
A Northwest University surveyed 405 well-known firms and found 14 reasons that applicants were screened out after the initial interview. The first four reasons were:
Practice interviewing; use this check list:appearance expression enthusiasm attitude
What do I look like? What do I sound like? What do I say? How well do I listen?
If possible, go to the location prior to the day of the interview so that you can check traffic and parking location.
Allow plenty of time for any unexpected delays. (15 minutes early to the interview is appropriate.) Don't arrive an hour early.
Check your appearance in the restroom prior to checking in with the secretary.
Put on your suit jacket after you arrive so that it doesn't wrinkle in the car. Leave your jacket on during the interview.
Leave your cellular telephone, beeper and/or pager in your car or at home.
Be professional and polite to the secretary.
While waiting, visualize a great impression.
Do not play with coins in your pocket or crack your knuckles.
Don't cross your legs.
Smile and nod when appropriate.
Listen carefully before answering questions.
Sit when and where your interviewer indicates.
Use appropriate nonverbal language, including good eye contact.
Competent Actions Inadequate Actions
VOICE
Clear, firm tone Soft,
hesitant, whispery
Positive, confirming statements Questioning
tone at end of response
Variation in tone, pitch Monotone
Clear articulation Mumbling,
hesitation
BODY
Direct eye contact Shifting
or glaring eyes
Firm handshake Limp,
weak handshake
Appropriate, relaxed gestures Fidgeting,
nervous, movement
Well balanced, straight posture Stooped
posture
Open, positive facial expressions Frowning
or grimacing
Assured manner Lip
biting, furrowed brows
Enthusiastic, high energy level Lethargic,
low energy level
FIFTY QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED DURING AN INTERVIEW OR ON A TEACHER APPLICATION
1. Why did you choose to go into the teaching field?
2. Identify two issues facing education and your possible
solutions.
3. What are some of your most significant accomplishments
or achievements?
4. Would you talk about your student teaching experience?
5. Discuss any of your qualifications which you wish
to stress.
6. What do you think is the main force behind your success?
7. What are your extracurricular interests?
8. State your philosophy of education.
9. What did you particularly like about the last job
you had? What did you dislike?
10. How do you plan to remain educationally current?
11. Why do you want to be a teacher in this School District?
12. What types of decisions are easiest for you to make?
Which ones are difficult?
13. How long would you plan to teach at this school?
14. State briefly the qualities you possess which you
feel would be helpful in a teaching position.
15. How do you think your peers would describe you as
a teacher?
16. What responsibilities will your students have for
their learning?
17. What are your plans for professional growth?
18. Describe your relationship with your last two supervisors.
19. What do you want your students to accomplish?
20. What are your educational goals for the future?
21. What professional journals do you read regularly?
22. What do you regard as the main responsibility of
a new teacher?
23. In what respects do you feel you have improved professionally
over the past several years?
24. Would you rather teach the slow learner or the advanced
student?
25. Describe the staff development activities or programs
that you have been involved with.
26. Why did you major in this area of teaching?
27. Describe the kinds of parental and community support
you expect (or hope for).
28. Describe your grading system preference.
29. Describe the instructional/curriculum reform or improvement
programs you have been involved with.
30. What teaching techniques have you found to be effective
within the classroom?
31. What are your views regarding teacher and parent
empowerment through participatory management and the decision-making
process?
32. What do you feel are your three greatest teaching
strengths?
33. What seems to be your three teaching weaknesses?
34. What is your opinion regarding performance-based
compensation?
35. What do you believe to be the three weaknesses of
the teaching profession today?
36. Describe your experience in working as a team member
in a professional setting.
37. What do you believe to be the three greatest strengths
of the teaching profession today?
38. Discuss the basic philosophy of Bloom's taxonomy.
39. Identify two majors goals you will establish your
first year as a teacher. How would you evaluate the success
of those goals?
40. What do you consider an "ideal" class size?
41. List the skills you have that could contribute to
a 'team' concept of teaching.
42. Do you believe in homogeneous groupings? heterogeneous
groupings?
43. List the training and experiences you have had which
can contribute to the improvement of instruction at School
District.
44. How do you feel about team teaching? How do you feel
about the self-contained classroom?
45. How would you challenge the slow learner and the
advanced student within the same classroom?
46. What is your philosophy of discipline?
47. Do you believe in detailed lesson plans?
48. How do you intend to motivate your students?
49. What is your greatest concern when in the classroom?
50. What are your hopes for the future?