I am planning to return to work after staying home with my two boys for the past eight years. I have applied at the district I worked in previously, as well as some others. When I called Human Resources in my old district to make sure they had received everything, the secretary told me that they had and that she had sent it out to the princpals earlier that week. What does it mean that your information gets sent out? Does anyone know how HR works in large districts. I had to take the Teacher Insight test online, so I'm hoping that means I did well. Anway, thanks for any information.
Usually the district makes a list of the teachers who are qualified and sends it out to the principals because the principals are the ones who decide whether or not to hire you. In our district, you interview with the district HR person. He gives you a rating and sends that on the list to the principals. The principals usually start with those rated the highest and call them in for interviews. I'm not sure how it works in your district , but that's how it works here. GOOD LUCK!!! I hope you get a job!
In my district, everything goes to HR. Then HR sends out your resumes to those schools that have openings for which you are qualified for.
That's how it is here, but I don't know how it is there. Do you know any teachers in your district? They'd probably know for sure.
I do know some teachers in the district, but nobody seems to know exactly how it works. This Teacher Insight Test is new, but I assume it is used in the same way the screening interview was before. If you didn't pass you didn't go on for further interviews. I was excited when HR told me my information had been sent to the principals, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Thanks for your responses.
The district I'm in doesn't do any type of screening that I'm aware of, and they don't do an online test. I've called HR to make sure my app was forwarded to a certain principal when a job posted. Now there was another district I applied to that had one of those teacher insight tests. I received a phone pre-interview one year, but not this past year.
I don't have an answer for you but I wanted to send my good wishes. As a former SAHM (for 15 years) who is currently employed, I wanted you to know that good things do happen. I also think that as a parent, sometimes I have some great insights. When you get an interview, remember to play up your assets.
What's a SAHM? I've never heard that acronym before. Isn't it funny how many acronyms we have in education.
Oh . . . what with IEP, NCLB, TAT, LD, ADD, ADHD, CT, ST,etc. there're so many acronyms that it's hard to keep up with them. I think that's awesome that you were able to be a SAHM! If more mom's were SAHMs, our society might be a little different. One day when I have kids I hope to be a SAHM. Sorry, I didn't mean to take this thread on a tangent!
I taught for 7 years and always considered teaching my profession - not just something to do until I had my own kids. But...I really fell for that first baby and totally reevaluated my long term goals. Really glad to be back in the classroom now though! I would encourage anyone to take time off but to be realistic about the difficulty of getting a job later. It can be done!
You are very fortunate Maryhf. I was a SAHM. I have been looking for 5 years and have not landed a job in a classroom as yet. I am working as an Early Intervention Itinerant Teacher, but would love to have my own classroom again.
Don't lose heart teach123! I looked off and on for at least 5 years but when I quit the part time job, within a month I was a long term sub which led to this job. Keep trying! PA is a hard job market.
hi-i had an interview yesterday and got some info. about the teacher insight. not sure if it's the same there, but here's what i was told.... all candidates must initially go through a screening interview at the board office. if this goes well, they are asked to take the teacher insight assess. (unless they've done so already). my interviewer told me that they are looking for a CERTAIN RANGE of scores; basically, they want to see that you didn't bomb it. i wouldn't be surprised if they called the people w/the highest scores back 1st - as several posters already suggested. anyhoo, as long as your score is "acceptable", you will be recommended for a 2nd interview to principals who are hiring. i'm sure if your info. is being passed along, that is definitely a good sign! sometimes waiting truly is the hardest part! hang in there, though - i'm sure your phone will be ringing soon! good luck! p.s. i don't even have -meri kids, and even i knew what sahm meant... ha-ha, just kidding!
Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your responses. I feel so fortunate that I was able to stay home with my two boys, but it is very difficult giving up a perfect position in a wonderful school district. I would love to go back. Thanks again. I am so glad I found this sight, and I will probably be posting often during the next few months.
I credit this site with giving me the confidence (and making me feel more up to date) to do well at my interviews. I read the posts for a long time and it really helped me. Hope you all have luck too.
That would be hard to give up your dream job! I had to leave a great school where I had great coworkers too! It really stinks! I still miss them.
It was difficult to give up the job, but I certainly wouldn't change it. I have loved every minute of being home with my children. The HR Director told me there would be a job for me when I was ready to come back, but unfortunately she has retired. Hopefully she left a note in my file. Thanks again!
