Landing that first teaching job...

I landed my first elementary school teaching job by playing to my strengths. And—with a little help from Eric Carle.

My biggest obstacle was my lack of experience. How would I be able to compete against experienced teachers who were applying for the same job? I had to prove that I could be a teacher.

My strength was that I was already familiar with children’s literature. I created a unit theme based on one of my favorite books by Eric Carle, A House for Hermit Crab. Using this book, I created math, reading, writing, science, and social studies lessons. I put together a portfolio using these lessons and added a mission statement. I also included a classroom management plan. I asked a friend who was a teacher if I could deliver a lesson to her class so I could collect student samples. Voila! Even though I had never taught my own class, I could demonstrate to prospective employers (i.e. the principals) that I could create and deliver lesson plans, and also manage a class.

I put together about forty portfolios, each about 10 pages, along with the usual cover and resume. I hand-delivered these packets to the forty closest schools to my home. By delivering them in person, I was able to make that important connection with the office staff--you never know when that might be helpful with getting an interview. Also, by meeting the staff it also helps you learn more about the school.

From those forty portfolios, I landed five interviews. Compared to many of my friends who were in the same credential program, that was a big number! Out of those interviews, I found two schools I was interested in. My number one choice was about two miles from my home, had an extremely friendly and helpful office staff, and a sharp principal. The principal wanted to hire me, but she regretfully told me that she hired two more experienced teachers for the two openings she had. Devastated, I crossed my fingers for the other schools. Nothing panned out--no offers, and then the school year started. I didn’t give up.

I made calls to some of the schools where I didn’t get interviews, but there were no openings. Then I started to put together another round of portfolios, to schools outside of my neighborhood. I got a call back! It was from that principal who had hired two people ahead of me. She had another opening, and she wanted me for a fourth grade position. It was already three weeks into the school year, and I said YES!

Today, I am still teaching at this school, and I love it. In the seven years I’ve been a teacher, I’ve worked with three wonderful principals, some excellent colleagues, and a terrific office staff. I’m lucky that I got my first choice, but I helped myself by playing to my strengths.

Bio: I teach fourth grade in the Los Angeles Unified School District. My school has an outstanding music program. Last year, I co-taught a songwriting class at the school with another teacher and we produced an album, written and sung by all 500 students at our school. Our website www.harmonicconversionmusic.com tells more of the story. Thanks for visiting!

This post is part of the Teaching Jobs Portal: “How to land a Teacher Job”. What was your journey like to become a teacher? If you’d like to share your experience with other aspiring teachers please see this post for more information