My story is kind of a unique one, but not unheard of.
Many teachers get hired out of student teaching.
Usually, it’s math, special education, science or elementary teacher’s though because of the high demand.
Well, I’m none of the above.
I am a social studies teacher in an area with quite a few social studies teachers looking for a job.
And not only did I get hired by my district for a long term substitute job starting the Monday after graduation, I was offered TWO permanent, tenure track positions in district (tenure retroactive to first date of LTS position) in the SAME INTERVIEW!
How Did I Do It?
During student teaching, I tried everything I could to make myself stand out and be of service to the district.
My first placement was in the middle school in eighth grade. I came in during the last week of school in June to meet my cooperating teacher, the principal (a former NYS Principal of the Year Award recipient), and get to know the school. I showed up before day one to set up the classroom and get to know the pedagogical style of my cooperating teacher.
I tutored students who were on out-of-school suspensions.
I volunteered to assistant coach our modified soccer team.
I attended as many meetings, committees, and professional learning community meet-ups as I could.
Stand Out
While I knew I had much to learn and stayed humble, I always looked for something I could share or add to a conversation (when appropriate). It’s important to find a balance between showcasing your skill/knowledge and knowing where you stand on the totem pole.
Once I had my feet under me and was teaching classes by the end of week one, I would invite the principal or the superintendent in to observe me. This was a great way to show them that I was ready and what’s I was all about. I would HIGHLY recommend doing this.
Show up. Dress up. Be professional, but be unique. Don’t be a clone of someone already in the building.
Advocate for yourself
In the middle of my first sixth week placement, I heard of an opening the following Fall in the seventh grade position and potentially the sixth grade as well.
From my research, social studies jobs in the area were far and few between and heavily contested.
I knew I had to make a splash.
So, I called my student teaching supervisor and requested that I complete my high school placement in the same district. I pleaded with her that while going to another school might broaden my options and experience, the goal was to get hired and if I left my district, they might forget me when it came time to interview.
She agreed and we put it in motion. The other district was disappointed to lose out on a new student teacher. And the high school was not particularly enthusiastic about getting one.
Luckily, the social studies department chair took me under his wing.
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and seek out opportunities to get yourself hired immediately. Even if it sacrifices some broader exposure to other districts. (This isn’t ideal for everyone- but I knew my market and my competition).
Foot in the Door
Now, luck was on my side as a teacher in tenth grade social studies resigned one week prior to my graduation.
The school opened up interviews for the LTS (Long term substitute) position and I got my name on the interview list. One quick observation from the high school principal and I was set to interview.
In my interview, I have found that what separates me from other applicants is my questions that I ask. I have always used questions as a bread and butter way to end an interview.
My interview questions (Other Great Ones!)
1. What are your goals and expectations for someone in this position? How will you determine whether they have been successful in this position?
This question is my warm up. The question is meant to show the interviewer that I am going to ask some questions and to send a message that: a) I want to know how I’ll be measured b) that I am determined to be successful and meet your goals. This question could be anything. But, it should never be about money, job security or benefits.
Yes, this is generally going to lead to them sharing their APPR plan, but it will show them that you truly care about your performance and what they need out you.
2. What would your ideal candidate be like?
This is where I get the pulse of the interview.
If it went well, I’ll ask this question to see if they thought it went well too. They will often tip you off to how it went. If some of what they describe sounds somewhat like you or how you portrayed yourself, then you can probably go on to the next question. If it doesn’t, tailor your next question to fill a gap between you and their ideal candidate.
3. How well do I stack up to your ideal candidate?
This is the one.
The big kahuna.
The question to end all questions.
It can come across smug, (arrogant or a bit pushy).
BUT, if you felt out the interview correctly, you should see a smile, and get some version of an answer that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
If you get that, you made a connection!
End it there! You want your first and last interactions to be your best.
This was my sealer. And I’d encourage you to use it to your advantage as well. I knew that between interviews they would discuss pros/cons of hiring me, and then revisit again after all interviews are over. I wanted to direct their discussions in a positive direction.
By making them focus on and recollect the positive attributes I displayed in my interview and how close to ideal they are, it helps jumpstart the roundtable talk post-interview towards recommending me.
Would I, or have I, used this on administrators?
YES! 100%
How did you win two jobs?
LONG story short, both high school and middle school had openings for the Fall. Moreover, they decided to co-interview as a team. They would each choose two candidates for their buildings.
Each would be interviewed by the retiring superintendent and our new superintendent (with both principals present).
In the midst of the interview, the retiring superintendent informs me that he can safely say that I have a job, I just have to decide which one I’d prefer. And a mini-tug of war ensued between the two buildings.
And I chose the middle school! It was the oddest interview I had ever done. Even so, the only way I got there is through hard work, networking in district, and good interview skills.
Was this the only school you interviewed at?
No, actually.
I reached the final five applicants for two other jobs. Only once did I not get past interview number one.
That district was not a good fit. When I got in the room I was told I had ten minutes to separate myself from the other 60 applicants. In all honesty, I had no business being at the interview to being with. I was too inexperienced for their preference (I had a connection in district- network people! It matters!).
However, the other two jobs were also looking for more experienced teachers to teach high school courses with state mandated standardized tests (needed to graduate). I would have been a big risk.
But with each of these interviews, I tested answers and questions. I built up my confidence. Since I knew I really wanted the job at my district, I used everything as feedback and fuel and made connections for the future.
Get hired out of Student Teaching: Final Advice
Network, volunteer, practice and be confident. You should know people, you don’t, make sure you do by the end of it. Volunteer in your district to go beyond your classroom. Practice your interview skills and questions. How you say it is just as important as what you say. And just be confident. You are great and you can do it!
What have you done to your teaching job of your dreams? What advice do you have for teachers seeking their first job?
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