I think I've already asked this question, but I searched the forums and can't find anything. How soon before graduation do you start applying for jobs? Here, we student teach January-May and then graduate in late May. It seems like it would be too late to start applying *after* I graduate. I know this is a few months away, just trying to get my to-do list ready, with all the things going on..
I would start doing all the online applications in January. A lot of them require several reference sheets to be filled out and you want to have plenty of time for that. The references and applications stay active for a year.
However, if you're only applying to 1 or 2 districts, that won't be such daunting task and I don't think you would have to start in January. I applied to about 15 districts.
When I graduated with my Masters last year they told us to start applying in March. It took me from then until August to find a position.
I started in Feb. I applied to over 30 districts so the process for me was big time crazy! Lets just say reference forms suck! lol
I agree with March as a target time. Of course, you can start now roughing out a cover letter and resume.
I've been updating my cover letter all along, in order to keep everything straight and save myself some trouble in the end. I plan on applying to LOTS of districts, so I guess I better look at starting in February/early March. Thanks guys!!
I'm planning to begin in January with overhauling info. I will graduate with my M.Ed mid December and will begin updating applications and emailing principals personally not too long after that. I really, really want a job next fall!
Smalltowngal -- Yes, I'm staying in Texas. I live in East Texas and would love to find a job within about an hour of here, but even that includes 25 or 30 districts, probably. We don't own a home here or anything, and our son is still young, so we're willing to relocate within the state if necessary.
MrsQ~I would get a list of all the districts in that radius, start applying in March to all of them! Good luck!
I'm in Texas too (and originally from East Texas!), and I wouldn't recommend relocating to the DFW area anytime soon. I've made job hunting a full-time job this summer and it's just ridiculous. I've noticed that there are a TON of openings in Central Texas, in Waco and Killeen, as well as in South Texas. I went to college in Waco and I am now kicking myself, wondering what the big darn deal was that made me move up to DFW. Who knew Waco was going to be the place to be?
heymiss~Did you go to Baylor? Killeen always has openings because of Ft. Hood. I know that districts around the DFW area are hiring. I applied to a few districts around Ft. Worth and haven't heard a thing!
You know, I would actually LOVE to move to Central Texas, if I could talk my husband into it. He was stationed at Ft.Hood for two years, and that's where I started subbing - which led me to want to be a teacher. I just love that area, and would move there in a heartbeat. Something to consider, for sure!!
Yep! That makes sense about Killeen. I was wondering why they had so many openings. Up in DFW, Lewisville also has a TON of openings listed. That's too far for me to drive, especially with the traffic, so I'm not even considering it, but it must be nice for people who live up there. I also haven't heard anything since the beginning of July, and that phone call was asking me what exactly ESL Supplemental meant. I told her I couldn't teach an ESL class and she was like, "Okay, bye!" I had several interviews in May and June...too bad I waited to buy books about teacher interviews until AFTER I bombed those. I'm a career changer, so this is all new to me. I'm ready for an interview now; I just need somebody to call me. I've spent $150+ mailing out resumes, I'd like at least one phone call as a return on that investment. Mrs. Q - I'd love to move to the Hill Country. It's so pretty there! The downside is that it's just too far from my family. 2 hours is a reasonable drive, 5 is really pushing it. All I've got is a dog now, but when I have kids, I'd like it not to be a huge production for them to see their grandparents.
