If you work for a school district, how did you get hired?

Question

It seems so political and difficult to get a job in education. Did you have to know the "right people," or was it straightforward for you? Can you explain how it went for you?

Answer 1

I teach in a county near my college and I am not from the area. I did not know the right people, even though it seemed like that was the way in.
What I did do was write up a letter saying I would be graduating with a teaching degree and told a little bit about myself and any other kinds of things that make you look good on paper. I am pretty sure I enclosed a copy of my resume with all of the letters. I then got online and looked up every school in the counties that I could commute to. I typed in the principal's name on each letter to each school before printing so it would be personal, not generic. Then I copied the school address and mailed it. It takes quite a while to do all of this, but you work out a rhythm and it starts to go faster. This wasn't actually what got me my job. It was just random luck. However, it did get me a bunch of calls for interviews that I wouldn't have had probably. I was already hired by the time the calls came, but I still think it was the letters that got me the calls.
Good luck!

Answer 2

Well, I'd been checking the websites forever, when a few days before school started I saw a position open at my old middle school. I'd swore I would never work there, and thought that perhaps the old teacher was retiring (I wasn't fond of her when I had her). Turns out, she wasn't retiring and they wanted to add another teacher to that section. So, I interviewed, and the principal remembered me.....kinda. They like to hire alumni back into the district and do it often. I swear half of my graduating class is now working for the district. Lucky for me I decided to take the job cause that is where I met my husband! LOL It is extremely political...and yes, it is easier if you know people. If you are starting out and can't get a foot in the door, or you don't know anyone, I would start subbing and then apply for everything that you can. I live in Michigan and I know quite a few people who have done that. Good luck!

Answer 3

My sister went through this for a long time. She had to take jobs in a poorer neihboring county (45 minutes away.) You really do have to have family or friends in the system. It's pathetic. Somewhere somehow, if you can find a connection to the right people and get them to complain that you haven't been hired on, then the people in charge will go "Oh. Well, why didn't we hire her? Let's hire her." That or be obnoxious yourself and keep going back to them until they give up and hire you. That too should work, but don't be discouraged the first 15 times if they reject you. One other possibility is to take over for someone during their maternity leave. Who knows, they may not come back. And if they do, atleast you now have your foot in the door.

Answer 4

My mom had taught for over 30 years in the district so she got me my first job with me just having my high school diploma and a promise to the principal I was enrolling in college to major in education. I worked as an aide then all through next 4 yrs and had several offers lined up when I finished college.

Answer 5

I've worked for 4 different school districts in my career and all of them were straight ahead, by the books processes. Put together a good resume that stresses your strengths with lying, be persistent (but polite) and be patient. Don't panic early, a lot of hiring gets done at the last minute. Network with everyone you know.

Answer 6

I worked for the school district in Colorado and I did volunteer work at one of the schools I hoped to get hired at so they could see what a great teacher I am. It worked like charm!

Answer 7

Go to the School district office, and check the local papers, like The Tribune, Chronicles, ect.