Jobseekers-Good/Bad

Just try to remember that different districts have different time lines. Some don't even finalize their staffing until April, so those will be calling later. And many times a school must wait until they are sure who is leaving, which, sadly, may not be until May.

Stay positive, keep the faith, and keep applying! Your job is out there somewhere!
 
Learner4Life said:
10?!?!?! 10!!!!!! I've been able to apply for 1!!! ONE!!!! Stupid Montana with their small schools and their happy teachers!
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Don't feel bad. I applied to one position too. And I got an email from the Principal today saying the job has been pulled until after budget gets voted on in MAY! Ahhh I can't wait until May to see if I have a job or not.
Sigh but there is only two other positions I can apply for at the moment.
 
Hi Everyone,

I was posting my highs and lows somewhere else, but I hope it's all right to jump in over here instead. Long story short, my goal of getting a job at my school (where I'm student teaching - #1 district) feels like one of those, "Fortunately - Unfortunately" stories. Fortunately, the principal called me into her office a month ago to say "We are seriously considering you for a job here." Unfortunately, I got my confidence shot down by getting a speedy rejection from my #2 district. F: I had a smashingly successful (IMO) interview for #1 district. U: I got a speedy rejection letter from #1 district. F: the teachers said there are no official jobs posted, so it's possible I can still be called back when people announce their retirements, moving, etc. U: the principal at my #1 district told me I should call one of the principals I interviewed with in #1 district to find out what I could do better NEXT YEAR when I might interview again. Next Year... bah!

I'm plankton. I go with the flow. I do not stress out about who's hiring. :D
 
Dear Lemonhead,

No, she was interviewing for another position (foreign language immersion), so six of her peer principals were interviewing "for the district." They then were supposed to talk to the other six principals and brief them on each of us candidates.

I said to her (the P where I student teach), "They said they would brief you and the others," and she said something like, "Oh, we all talked... why don't you call and find out what you could have done differently ..." changing the subject. Bah.
 
Shelley, so the P is telling you that ITO you didn't interview well? I think its a little premature to think about next year. I'm sure that people will retire, someone's spouse will relocate and so they will resign. I have no doubt that you will be coming on here to tell us you got a job soon.

I can't wait until spring break is over and the districts get in gear and start calling for interviews!!!! Have I mentioned that I hate waiting??
 
Briana008 said:
Lemon, you crack me up! :lol:

TeacherShelly, as a marine scientist, I happen to think plankton is awesome. And welcome to our neck of the woods (or ocean, as the case may be). We're glad to have you!

~Briana~
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Thanks Briana! To me, the opposite of trying to move heaven and earth to get what I want, is to be like plankton. My only means of locomotion is the changing tides of the sea. Ommmmmmm. Hahaha!

Yes, Lemonhead, that's what it sounded like. I hope you're right: I'll come on here and say "F: I got a job at my #1 district!" If the tides carry me there, that is.

I hate waiting, too. I know how you feel.
 
Shelley, I love the plankton metaphor. I think I'll become a plankton as well and ride the tide to wherever it carries me....(though I'm hoping its carries me to my home district aka DD)
 
Oh Lovely! I am so bummed.

I was supposed to go to a job fair on the 29th. Just found out I am not invited because I am alternatively certified in a non-high needs area. Crap. I had already applied there too and it is a big district. The website clearly states who can come and I can't because of my certification.

What a waste of paper and time. There is no way I will be hired there.


It just dawned on my that I filled out that whole online app with all the questions and it was a complete waste. Why didn't their app say the same thing- that they wouldn't hire Alt cert people who are not in high need areas?

This really hurts as this is the biggest district in my area and it serves a few cities.
 
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Lemonhead, sorry to hear about not being invited to the jobfair. Hopefully they will still have openings in your area of certification.

I am bummed too. The first grade posting that I was really excited about, because I knew someone who could put in a good word for me, has been removed from the district website. I was really hoping I might at least get an interview :(. Oh well.
 
Lemonhead, sheesh, that makes you feel really good, huh. Sorry.

JW13, that's discouraging. I'm starting to feel like a real schmuck sitting out here wanting one of those jobs, while administrators hold all the cards. Humbug.
 
I'm sorry JW13, I know how much you were hoping for that. Do you know if whe put in a good word for you? SOmething could still open up.

Thats the thing JW, there are positions in my certification area, I know there are. There are 44 Elementary schools. They apparently just don't think highly of alternative certification unless if it is high needs. I have all these packets made do you think I should still send them to the schools or not waste the money? It will cost me about $100 to get them all sent off and buy more covers
 
Lemon and jw, I'm sorry to hear you've both had discouraging days! :(

I finally got a response from someone at my university about my broad field science certification issue. Apparently the state requires content area specialization but I can still take the general science test in addition to the biology test and be certified to teach all areas. So I'm going to register for it right now and take it March 29. I'm also going to give the AP who interviewed me a call to update her on the situation. She'll probably be happy to know that I can have those results on April 28.

~Briana~
 
Briana008 said:
Lemon and jw, I'm sorry to hear you've both had discouraging days! :(

I finally got a response from someone at my university about my broad field science certification issue. Apparently the state requires content area specialization but I can still take the general science test in addition to the biology test and be certified to teach all areas. So I'm going to register for it right now and take it March 29. I'm also going to give the AP who interviewed me a call to update her on the situation. She'll probably be happy to know that I can have those results on April 28.

~Briana~
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That's great news!

Well, I guess administration is going to have to get on the state about the specialization requirements. They are going to have a hard time finding teachers without the specialization. Also, the universities will have to make the new graduates aware of the fact that districts want broad field cert. so they should take that test as well.
 
lemonhead said:
I'm sorry JW13, I know how much you were hoping for that. Do you know if whe put in a good word for you? SOmething could still open up.

Thats the thing JW, there are positions in my certification area, I know there are. There are 44 Elementary schools. They apparently just don't think highly of alternative certification unless if it is high needs. I have all these packets made do you think I should still send them to the schools or not waste the money? It will cost me about $100 to get them all sent off and buy more covers
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I am going to ask a stupid quest. I see references alot about alt. cert...What is an alt. cert? And what are the high needs areas?
 
Generally speaking, Alternative certification is a program that is designed for people who already have a Bachelor's degree & are interesting in going into the teaching field. It's normally a 12 -15 months program depending on program requirements that allows you to work on a probationary basis as a teacher while you meet all the requirements during your training year. After that time & once you've met all requirements you'll be able to be get certified.
 
Yes. Unfortunately it is considered easier because you are only taking teaching classes and none of the other stuff. Well since you have to already have a degree before you can get accepted in an alternative certification program, you have already done the other stuff. Just because you got A's in Physics and Quantitative Measures or passed the Bar Exam doesn't mean squat.

The worst things about alternative cert is that you don't really get grades in your classes and there usually is no student teaching involved. You have assignments but you don't end up with a course grade. If you have your enrollment letter you include that with your resume packet. The state says it is okay to hire you if you are enrolled but obviously districts can decline alt cert which is what happened to me, as reference above. I have finished all of mine stuff so I have something different called Eligiblity for Hire.

What makes me so mad is that my ACP was done at the State's regional training office and I think that should stand for something.

High needs are like certification in high school science and math, and spec ed.
 
Thanks Teachling & Lemonhead...now I know what people are talking about now when they say alt. cert. & high needs. :)
 
You are welcome JW13! I think I decided not to send packets to this district that won't allow alternatively certified people at their job fair. I'll try to find some connections to a few of the schools and send to them directly but I am not forking out another $100 to send this stuff.

Okay I need to snap out of my funk! I'm going to go play some soccer with my kiddos and then I get to go get another printer cartridge and some more Easter basket stuff:)...and do some yard work. It is another beautiful day here.
 
lemonhead said:
You are welcome JW13! I think I decided not to send packets to this district that won't allow alternatively certified people at their job fair. I'll try to find some connections to a few of the schools and send to them directly but I am not forking out another $100 to send this stuff.

Okay I need to snap out of my funk! I'm going to go play some soccer with my kiddos and then I get to go get another printer cartridge and some more Easter basket stuff:)...and do some yard work. It is another beautiful day here.
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Can I come play? I currently have 6in. of snow and it is still falling. I guess my boys will have to bring their snow shovels out for the Easter Egg hunt on Sun.:lol:
 
lemon, that stinks about the job fair. I think they should have mentioned something before you filled out all the paperwork. I know that good things are around the corner.

jw, sorry to hear about the first grade position. Did that woman talk to anyone? I know more positions will start posting soon.

Briana, glad to hear you can take the test so soon. Hopefully the AP will take this news and highly consider you offering that position!!

Everyone keep their heads high! April is almost here and the balls will start rolling.
 
lemonhead said:
I'm sorry JW13, I know how much you were hoping for that. Do you know if whe put in a good word for you? SOmething could still open up.

Thats the thing JW, there are positions in my certification area, I know there are. There are 44 Elementary schools. They apparently just don't think highly of alternative certification unless if it is high needs. I have all these packets made do you think I should still send them to the schools or not waste the money? It will cost me about $100 to get them all sent off and buy more covers
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send them..

write it off on your taxes as job hunting expenses
 
jw13 said:
That's great news!

Well, I guess administration is going to have to get on the state about the specialization requirements. They are going to have a hard time finding teachers without the specialization. Also, the universities will have to make the new graduates aware of the fact that districts want broad field cert. so they should take that test as well.
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OMG..if they come up with another test! they really should tell the univ what is expected before people waste their hard earn $$ and get out here....I am soooo glad that I guess I am done with that. They have more tests so that teachers can give kids more tests! Endorsements, approvals, for Pete's sake! When I look at my cert, it looks like I am qualified to teach on Mars!

that scares me!
 
snow is melting...

I predict crocuses and tulips will be sprouting by Monday...

Have a Happy Easter and good spring break everyone! If you are not working...take a spring break anyway!!
 
Master Pre-K said:
OMG..if they come up with another test! they really should tell the univ what is expected before people waste their hard earn $$ and get out here....
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This was exactly my point in another thread concerning college degree for teaching. What an educational institution offers vs what the market wants is not always in sync. I don't know why this is the case but I suspect that educational institution do not always excersise dd due to limited resources and therefore tend to fall behind with current job market demand.
 
Is anyone feeling like they have hit a stalemate? I have completed online applications for two counties(this covers every district in my area), I have attended a univerisity jobfair, and personally delivered my mini-portfolio for every job posting as it becomes available(only 5 so far). So I sit, I wait, AAANNNNDDD nothing. I don't know if more posting are forthcoming in other districts, if the ones I have applied to are even going to consider me or if they are just going to pass me by. I HATE THIS WAITING:mad:!
 
Yeah, I agree with you jw13, a lot of it is just waiting, because schools don't know exactly how many positions they'll need yet or aren't going to start interviewing for awhile.
 
jw13 said:
Is anyone feeling like they have hit a stalemate?
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Yes! After all that initial scrambling, I've done everything I can and now I'm waiting. With the added bonus of taking another certification test Saturday. :down:

The AP at the school I really want to work in was out all this week and next week is their spring break so it will be April 7 before I can even talk to her again (she doesn't yet know I'm taking this test, which I need to work at her school)! At least the good thing is that she won't be hiring anyone between now and then...

~Briana~
 
Teachling said:
I have a friend that lives in Aurora (?) & she told me recently that some of the schools in the Chicago area are closing or cutting back. I think she said something about poor performance(?) Is that true?
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Chicago is closing schools and reopening them to restart the NCLB time clock and to take away schools from the union. All in all there are 18 closing (3 of the 18 are one high school broken in 3) - so with 600 schools there is still opportunity- but many of those teachers from the 18 schools will be looking for jobs too. - Some of the
"closing" schools are reopening as charter schools- but some are still going to be union CPS schools, so it's hard to tell how that will affect the job search. Chicago is a unique little place. The culture of CPS is quite crazy- but you get through it.
 
jw13 said:
Is anyone feeling like they have hit a stalemate? I have completed online applications for two counties(this covers every district in my area), I have attended a univerisity jobfair, and personally delivered my mini-portfolio for every job posting as it becomes available(only 5 so far). So I sit, I wait, AAANNNNDDD nothing. I don't know if more posting are forthcoming in other districts, if the ones I have applied to are even going to consider me or if they are just going to pass me by. I HATE THIS WAITING:mad:!
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I'm feeling this way very much right now and have been feeling very disheartened. I went to another district job fair yesterday and it was hard to see those huge stacks of resumes for one-two openings. I'm in California where districts are facing major layoffs due to budget cutbacks.

It helps to not feel so alone by talking to all of you.
 
jw, I was feeling that way; however, I called the principal at a school in my DD today to ask about when interviews would start. I was expecting to get his voicemail, but he answered the phone. He said that they would start interviews in the next two weeks!! And he said that he had my application! So things are beginning to look up!
 
smalltowngal said:
jw, I was feeling that way; however, I called the principal at a school in my DD today to ask about when interviews would start. I was expecting to get his voicemail, but he answered the phone. He said that they would start interviews in the next two weeks!! And he said that he had my application! So things are beginning to look up!
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:2up:I am glad to hear it.:2up:
 
jw13 said:
Is anyone feeling like they have hit a stalemate? I have completed online applications for two counties(this covers every district in my area), I have attended a univerisity jobfair, and personally delivered my mini-portfolio for every job posting as it becomes available(only 5 so far). So I sit, I wait, AAANNNNDDD nothing. I don't know if more posting are forthcoming in other districts, if the ones I have applied to are even going to consider me or if they are just going to pass me by. I HATE THIS WAITING:mad:!
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Yes! And I sit here and wait for the transfers to be done. I was upset today because at the school where I was subbing, I saw 2 more people come in to interview for the grade I want . It is so depressing.

Then I was in the workroom and someone left a resume and cover letter there. Get this, the cover letter started like this:

Dear Mr. B,

I am John Smith. I am wanting to work at Blah school in an elementary school.

This is all I saw but I did see it was like 7 one sentence paragraphs.

That is all I saw but OMG if they are interviewing that person I will just die. Who would start their letter like that and why should they get an interview? Hopefully someone was just showing someone else and getting a good kick out of it.

I think I have to do my call backs or emails even though I know decisions aren't made yet.

Sorry I am just rambling.....

Lemon
 
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smalltowngal said:
jw, I was feeling that way; however, I called the principal at a school in my DD today to ask about when interviews would start. I was expecting to get his voicemail, but he answered the phone. He said that they would start interviews in the next two weeks!! And he said that he had my application! So things are beginning to look up!
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Yeah STG!! It is like a little shot of adrenalin isn't it?? I hope you get a call soon:)
 
Today, I'm feeling extremely lazy about my applications... I actually don't have any to fill out today anyway but reciently I've been thinking that I like the school I'm in now and if I just stick it out and be poor for awhile I can wait for one of the older teachers to retire.
Another part of me says there's no way I can wait another year to have my own classroom! The other teacher and I went through books of stuff for the classroom the other day and I got SO many ideas for my own that I just couldn't stand it!
But then again, the idea of moving, or even just getting used to a new school... blah!
 
Lemon, have you had an interview with this position? If you haven't, I would think about approaching the principal the next time you're at that school and just causally ask him when interviews would start for x position.

Learner, I understand what you're saying. I've taught two years and each year as been a different grade at a different school. I just want to get into ONE school at ONE grade for awhile to build up some ideas. And just think that all those ideas will make you a great teacher!

I'm starting to see more postings pop up now so just keep positive thoughts!
 
Ugh, bad day here.

So this school that I have been wanting to work in (the one that canceled my original interview because I didn't have a certificate yet, I got it back, rocked the interview, and was told that I needed broad field certificaton) has hired someone else.

The AP said my interview was very strong and she definitely sees me working at her school in the future, just not next year because I don't have the necessary certification yet. Even though I emergency registered for the test and took it this past Saturday, she needed to make a decision and she wasn't allowed to hire anyone without the certification. I got the feeling that I was her top choice and she told me that she would definitely keep me in mind for future openings, but I guess it was never going to happen without that certification.

What makes me so mad (other than not getting my top choice district) is that I could have fixed this problem months ago had I known it was going to be a problem. My fellow classmates are running into the same thing, we all chose our content area and took our respective tests, but none of the professors ever mentioned the possibility of it not being enough. Here we were all thinking we were doing everything we needed, but apparently not. A large part of my decision to enroll in a post-bac certification program instead of the alternate certification route was for the guidance and support and now I feel let down.

Oh well, I'll stew tonight and then suck it up and move on. Thanks for letting me vent.

~Briana~
 
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