For any teachers...

brusz1lm

How did you find your teaching job?I am having a really hard time connecting with jobs/interviews especially in districts that I have never subbed before.I know this is a horrible time to look for a job in MI, but I thought if anyone had insight I would appreciate it!!TIA

liza0828

I just kept checking the postings on all the district websites that I was interested in.

sinnedambition

look at charter schools. My first job was in a public school (but I had connections).I went to the Mapsa charter school conference and had SIX interviews. Was hired by one school.What is your cert?

brusz1lm

I have been stalking district postings and sending my resume out to the administrative offices.Certified ELE Ed Middle School Math, Language arts

sinnedambition

definitely check out the charter schools. You can find ones that are better that the stereo typical charter schools.

leeshab1982

I worked at a charter school for two years before landing a job in a public school district.  I absolutely HATED the charter school.  It was so poorly run, teachers were taken advantage of (no planning time, no lunch break, no teacher's union, etc.), and the students were awful because they knew they could get away with anything.  However, I don't think that ALL charters are that bad.  And as much as I hated working there, it was two years of classroom experience that set me apart from the rest of the candidates that I interviewed with for my current job.  When I was hired, they told me that was the main reason they chose me over the others.  I agree that you should check out some academies.  While some of them aren't ideal places to work, they would at least add experience to your resume, which is key in finding a better job in the future.  I absolutely despise the online job posting sites for teachers, such as the Oakland Consortium.  I can't even tell you how many jobs I applied for over a span of 3 years and I never once was contacted for anything other than rejection.  It takes so long to fill out those applications and upload all of your information and who knows if anyone ever actually reads them.  I honestly think that the best way to get a good teaching job is to know people.  I was informed that there was a job opening in the district where I grew up and went to school for K-12.  If it weren't for the heads-up, I would have never known that job even existed.  Network as much as you possibly can.  Talk about your job search with friends and family...you never know who might have a connection with someone higher up in a school district.  Wow!  This is SUPER long!  Sorry.  I just have strong feelings due to the three frustrating years that I spent job searching after I graduated.  I feel for you and I wish you the best of luck!!If you are curious about charters, email me at amblatch at gmail.com and I can tell you which ones I have heard good things about.   

*Ashley&Trevor*

Network, network, network...Try to get some long-term sub jobs..those are the best for that.

a4traub

I work for a charter school right now....not my first choice but I had the interview and got the job.  I work for an NHA school (national heritage academies) and there are a ton of schools.  From my experience it is one of the better charters.  Good luck.

crystalrain

I'm having the same problem, especially since I just moved to the Ann Arbor area from Florida a few weeks ago. I wanted to ask those of you who are teachers about the process of getting your license. I'm taking a CPR course this Saturday so that I can apply for the license. Is there anything I should know? Or anything else that I should do before I apply? Any help would be greatly appreciated.Also, does anyone know about virtual classrooms and mentors? I was contacted about a position as a mentor in a virtual classroom and I've never heard of that before! Thanks in advance!

Beener0514

I hand delivered my resumes instead of mailing them. I dressed as if I was going to the interview while doing this.Also, my resume is four pages long- the it is legal paper that is folded in half. I had too much experience with kids to fit it into the standard business resume. I worked A TON with students. I took even the crappy jobs- working as a noon lunch aid at a local middle school, teaching a summer book camp, coaching cheerleading, etc. I substitute taught and also took a long-term subbing position. Even though I did all of this, I did not get hired by any of the districts I worked in! The experience, though, allowed my resume to stand out and I was lucky enough to get two jobs the first three months I was looking. HTH & good luck!

zawa0915

just to echo what PP's have said, NETWORKING (but i'm sure you know that...). i was lucky enough to get rehired a year ago by the district where i'd taught for 5 years prior to taking 2 years off for grad school, but not before i was turned down by a few places and never heard back on so many others, for the same reasons you are going through.i've also lost out on jobs to people who'd subbed in buildings where i was applying, so although it sucked for me, it made it worth all the time they'd put in there.in my current job, i'm now on the interview committee for new hires and just hired someone last spring who had subbed for 3 YEARS (!!) in our building before getting a job. so i guess just keep at it (trying to stay in only a few buildings to build up relationships) and know that something that is right for you will come along. GL!

minifalda

I sub in five districts and so far I've done one long term teaching 8th grade English. It is possible to get hired in a nice district...but you have to either know people and/or sub/student teach. I too have applied to lots of jobs in both public and private schools and so far, nothing. Sometimes I just send my resume to the school, regardless if they're hiring or not. You never know when there's an emergency and they need someone--that's basically how I got hired for my long-term. I'm secondary English/history. I'd probably have better luck if I were math/foreign language/special ed, because those are the postings I've seen. You're not alone, though. I have a friend/former co-worker who got elementary certified a couple years ago and still hasn't found anything.

ked353

It is so hard to get that 1st interview.  I applied everywhere and got called for a aid job after the school year began. I was disappointed but went. It ended up their 1st/2nd grade teacher just resigned that day for personal issues and they hired me for that. So apply for all jobs that may possibly work just to get that interview. My suggestion: Go to job fairs so you can get some sort of one on one. Go to all interivews - even aid jobsGet together an AWESOME portfolio to have on interviews (if you want I can tell you what I had in mine) AND BELIEVE!! Weird things happen! Keep us posted!

ange425

What area of Michigan are you in? There are some counties that have sites for many districts in their area. For example in Oakland County check out http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/Employment/OaklandHumanResourcesConsortium/tabid/146/Default.aspxNot all of the districts are on there, but it is still something. Also don't be afraid to at least check out private schools. I have a great job at a private school and I don't get paid as much as public schools, but it still isn't bad. The website we use to look for applicants is http://www.csa-teach.com/But truly the best thing is networking. Let me know what areas you are looking in and I'll see what I can find out for you.