Job Search For Educators

The Career Services Office at Bridgewater State College recognizes the unique needs of our education students in their job search endeavors.  There are different timelines, complex testing requirements and unique supporting materials that are required.  As a result, we have dedicated this page to help those in the Education field to find the type of resources that will help you navigate this complex process.

Whether you plan on working in public, private, alternative, collaborative schools, higher education or in a position utilizing teaching abilities, there will be useful and practical information, tips and links to sources that will allow you to make planful career decisions that much easier.

Bridgewater State College has a strong foundation and rich history in educator preparation.  It is among America's oldest teacher education institutions. Our students have the training and skills necessary to be successful in today's demanding, rewarding and ever expanding field. Our goal is to provide you with the resources necessary to assist you in achieving your education career goals.  If you have any further questions, contact our office for further assistance or to schedule an appointment with a career counselor.

The Education Job Market
Educator's Job Search Time Line
Resume & Cover Letter Writing for Educators
Reference Pages
Education Portfolios
Philosophy of Education 
Effective Interviewing


Networking
School System Research For Educators
Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure
Licensure and Testing Requirements Out of State
Educator Job Fairs
Educator Job Listings

The Education Job Market 2008-2009

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job opportunities for teachers over the next ten years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught.  Most job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers who are expected to retire over the 2006 - 2016 period.  Also, many beginning teachers decide to leave teaching after a year or two - especially those employed in under-resourced, urban schools - creating additional job openings for teachers.  Job prospects should be better in inner cities and rural areas than in suburban districts.  Subject areas with the highest demand include: mathematics, science (especially chemistry and physics), bilingual education, and foreign languages. 

Median annual earnings of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers ranged from $43,850 - $48,6900 in May 2006; the lowest ten percent earned $28,590 - $33,070; the top ten percent earned $67,490 - $76,100.  Median earnings for preschool teachers were $22,680.

Data for the 2005-06 school year, from the National Education Association lists starting salaries for teachers in Massachusetts as starting at $34,995 and the state average salary for teachers being $56,587.  The report lists the job market in the state as being competitive, but teacher shortages do exist in math and sciences, especially chemistry and physics.  The organization also reports that the expected national average salary for teachers will increase from $47,674 to $49,109.  Payscale.com research found that the average salary in the same time period was $24,776 for preschool teachers in the state of Massachusetts.

 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition.
National Education Association 2005-06 Rankings Report (www.payscale.com)
 

 

Educator's Job Search Timeline

A commitment to a job search can seem like a full time job.  With this in mind, we have devised a timeline which can help direct your job hunting priorities and activities during the course of a year.

  August  - October    

  • Register with BSC Career Services for Senior Recruiting

  • Develop and finalize resume

  • Schedule mock interview

  •  Meet with counselor to discuss job search plans

  •  Gather materials to create and finalize education portfolio

  • Attend a Educator Licensure meeting  

November - December

  • Begin to identify potential list of (3-5) references or recommendation writers
  • Know the geographic region and types of schools that you are interested in and then develop a list of school/systems of interest
  • Begin networking for possible job openings with faculty, site supervisor, professional association gatherings (Remember to be networking all the time.)

  January 

  • Register with BSC Career Services for Senior Recruiting, if have not already
  • Review AAEE (American Association for Employment in Education) handbook for job search tips
  • Collect recommendation letters from references
  • Research school systems of interest
  • Collect transcripts from current and  undergraduate institutions
  • Consider applying for substitute positions at schools of your interest

February - March

  April 

  • Continue to search job vacancies in multiple sources, follow-up with phone calls and thank you letters
  • Attend MERC (Massachusetts Education Recruiting Consortium) in Boston, April school vacation week

May - August

  • Revise cover letter/resume if necessary or schedule appointment with counselor to review interviewing & credentials

NOTE:  Many school districts are under restricted budgets and do not have a final budget until the summer.  Therefore, many job openings will not be posted until that time.  Keep track throughout the summer!  School systems continue to hire into the beginning of the school year.  Also at this time you may want to consider broadening your search criteria to include a wider range of school systems to yield more responses. 

Check out our Job Search for Educators Presentation

Resumes & Cover Letters for Educators

Your resume and the accompanying correspondence such as a cover letter are important tools that market your skills and experience to prospective employers.  As an educator it will be essential that both your resume and cover letter clearly communicate your qualifications.  While it is important that your resume reflect your uniqueness, it is also important to follow some basic guidelines in resume development.  The Bridgewater Career Services Office offers numerous opportunities to learn the basics of resume and cover letter writing workshops.  It is also possible to view our workshop presentations for educator resumes and cover letters.

Web Resources for Educator Resumes & Cover Letters

Reference Pages

Reference pages are one page documents that often accompany resumes and cover letters that list individuals who can speak on your behalf.  Send references only when they are asked for as each school district may have different requirements and hiring practices.

Education Portfolios

What is an Educator Portfolio?
Many education students know a portfolio to be an instrument to assess student growth or progress in the classroom.  Portfolios are used to evaluate student achievements in the classroom as well as show teacher's performance.  It is a comprehensive collection of your work that can include but is not limited to syllabi, goals, student accomplishments, professional evaluations, etc. from your day-to-day work with students.  This type of portfolio would be categorized as a WORKING PORTFOLIO.

More recently, another form of portfolio has become a beneficial and necessary tool for an educator's job search.  This type of portfolio is called a SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO.  This is a job search tool that highlights and illustrates your skills, experience, competencies and achievements in education.  It is a small collection of the best and most current documents from your working portfolio.  You personally make the selection based on choice and impressions of the potential employers who will be viewing the portfolio.  It is an important form of communication between employer and job seeker. 

Check out our educator portfolio presentation!
 

Philosophy of Education Statement or Summary

The philosophy of education statement is an important piece in your educator portfolio.  It is also requested by hiring personnel at schools to be included with a cover letter and resume.  Similar to the dreaded college essay, your teaching philosophy should be thoughtful, organized and well written.  The summary should be between 1-2 pages and should document and support your core educational principles.  A sample outline might be to first state your objectives as a teacher.  These need to be achievable through some form of assessment.  Second, you will want to outline the methods by which you will achieve your teaching objectives.  Third, you will need to have demonstrated evidence of your achievements.  This may take the form of standardized assessments or evaluations.   The final section of your statement should allude to the factors that motivate you to be in the teaching profession.  This is where you can be cerebral.  State what motivates you to be in the teaching profession.    

Some important considerations: 

The statement should reflect your core values and beliefs in terms of teaching.  Consider your thoughts regarding the nature of children, the purpose of education and how people learn, and the role of teacher.

As you develop your educational philosophy, think about completing the following statements: (adapted from the College of New Jersey Educational Philosophy Template)

I believe the purposes of education are...  
I believe that students learn best when...
I believe that the following curriculum basics will contribute to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of my students... 
I believe that a good learning environment is one in which...
I believe that all students have the following basic needs...
In order to further the growth and learning of my students, the above basic needs will be met in my classroom through...
I believe that teachers should have the following qualities...

Web Links for Creating an Educational Philosophy

 Suggestions for writing your educational philosophy  
 Sample teaching philosophy

Effective Interviewing

The job search process in schools to hire an educator can be long.  Interviewing effectively will require you to understand that it is a PROCESS.  Most likely, you will interview with many stakeholders including direct staff, principals, superintendents etc.  Decisions are rarely made in schools after the initial interview, which can last 1-2 hours.  Stamina, enthusiasm and professionalism are qualities that will help you succeed. 

Additionally, different interviewers have different priorities related to the available job.  Some interviewers will make assessments by asking you questions related to your management of a classroom or philosophy of discipline.  Others may want to understand your curriculum or instructional style.  Still many today are asking hypothetical-type questions which require you to devise a strategy for a given scenario.  Check out our Effective Interviewing Presentation!
                                                                   

Tips For Successful Interviewing Preparation

1. Know yourself - strengths and weaknesses  
2. Know your resume and portfolio  
3. Know your interviewer and school system 
4. Know the questions you have for the interviewer  
5. Learn and practice sample interview questions (attend a mock interview night)  

Showtime

Be energetic and enthusiastic (interviewing is serious business, but you MUST smile)  
Arrive on time or a bit early  
Be able to support your answers in a positive way 
If you are prepared, you will be confident in the manner you present yourself

Follow-Up

Commit to always sending a thank you note to all who interviewed you.  This can be through the post office or email.  Try to do this immediately.

Make notes of your impressions of the interview and the job site.  This is especially helpful when you have multiple interviews with different schools.

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS  

Questions asked by an interviewer:

1.     Tell me about yourself.  
2.     If a friend were to describe you, what would they say?  
3.     Describe a challenging experience you faced during your student teaching.  
4.     Describe your teaching style.  
5.     What do you enjoy most about teaching?  
6.     What do your expect from your supervisor?  
7.     How do you engage a parent in the education of their child?  
8.     What is your philosophy of education?  
9.     How do you individualize your teaching?
10.   Tell me how you incorporate technology into your teaching.  
11.  How do you handle discipline in the classroom?
12.  Describe a child who had academic, emotional or social problems and tell me what you did to help him/her.  
13.   Why are you interested in our school/school system?  
14.   What makes you qualified for this position?  
15.   What is the most important topic in education today?  
16.   What other points would you like to make about your qualifications for this position which we have not covered?

A strong candidate asks good questions too.  Asking questions means you have given thought to the position you are interviewing.  It is important to have your questions answered about the job, and the school/institution so you are better prepared to make a decision should you receive an offer.

Questions asked by the education candidate:

1.     What curriculum materials does your school system use?  
2.     What challenges do you or your school/system face?  
3.     What is your philosophy of education?  
4.     Can you detail the level of parent involvement at this school?  
5.     What percentage of students have IEPs?  
6.     What type of support services are available for students?  
7.     What type of professional development have you had for educators?  
8.     What is your supervision style?  
9.     What are the department goals in the next couple years?  
10.   What technology resources are available to me?  
11.   What is the student/teacher ratio at this school?

Other sample questions may be found on the following links: 

How to answer interview questions for teachers  
Sample Interview Questions (University of Virginia Tech)
Sample Interview Questions (University of Delaware)
Sample questions you can ask (Northeastern Illinois Unversity) 

Networking

Networking with other professionals in your desired field is advantageous and necessary in a competitive job market like education.  According to researchers, almost two-thirds of the jobs available to candidates are acquired through networking and personal sources, not the classifieds.  Joining a professional association is a great start to being informed about your field and getting first word on job vacancies.  Take advantage of your student teaching and internship and get to know colleagues.  Connecting with the principal at your school may also open doors for you come job search time.

Informational interviewing can also be a means of networking.  Bridgewater alumni have volunteered to act as mentors to students needing information about career fields or organizations.  Check out BSC Career Link!

Check out these Professional Associations to start NETWORKING

 School System Research for Educators

The Department of Education in most states will provide via their website a list of all public and charter schools in the state.  In Massachusetts, district and individual school profiles are available for the entire state.  Massachusetts also has a directory of private, collaborative and special education schools. MCAS results are provided and ranked by school performance.  It is wise to check out any information related to the district/school that you will be interviewing.  Other sources of information include local papers; many which are available online. 

Massachusetts Department of Education  - offers a wide variety of services for educators including job search and professional development features.  
U.S. Charter Schools - get information on charter schools nationally.

Being informed on trends in the education industry is also important as you begin interviewing.  Here are a few sites that may give you general information regarding trends and an overview of the industry.
  
Wetfeet.com - offers good information on job search topics  
National Center for Education Statistics - a division of U.S. Department of Education that keeps track of educational statistics  
Ed.Gov U.S. Department of Education - U.S. Department of Education main site, full of education information  
U.S. Department of Labor - the Occupational Outlook Handbook online, a must when doing career or industry research  
National Public School and School District Locator - Information on public schools and school districts in the U.S.
 

Private School Resources

Peterson's Guide to K-12 Private Schools 
Association of Boarding Schools - Schools online, presented by the Association of Boarding School
American Montessori Society - listings of American Montessori Society Accredited schools

You may be interested in knowing salary ranges for educators as part of your research.  Some districts have pay scales for view on their websites.  You may also check out the following sites that will give you some averages in different states. 

www.aft.org/research/salary/home.htm  
www.nea.org  

Licensure and Testing Requirements   

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure - This site includes the MTEL registration bulletin, test objectives, and test information booklets, as well as information about registering for the MTEL via the Internet.

 All 50 states currently have specific requirements for educators to be licensed and work in schools.

The most updated licensure requirements for all 50 states  
www.nbpts.org - will link you to information on National Certification

 

 

Educator Job Fairs and Career Services Events

Be on the look out for education recruitment programs specifically for education job seekers.  Here are a few that are sponsored by Bridgewater Career Services Office:

Bridgewater State College Annual Job Fair  
Gearing Up for the Education Job Market
MERC
Off Campus Career Fairs

Educator Job Listings

Spring is the time when many schools do  personnel  recruitment for the upcoming academic year (beginning in either August or September).  The web has an abundance of sites with job listings.  Here are some of our favorites:  

www.agentk-12.org  
www.k12jobs.com
www.Chronicle.com  
www.educationworld.com
www.charterschooljobs.com/ www.educationamerica.net/
www.massupt.org

www.teachforamerica.org  
http://www.nais.org/ - job openings at independent schools nationwide  
www.teachers-teachers.com  
www.eslcafe.com/jobs/ - job center and positions for ESL/EFL students and teachers around the world
www.teachersatwork.com/
www.youschools.org

Massachusetts Teacher Programs

Massachusetts Institute for New Teachers or MINT is an alternative program to initial certification for prospective teachers who do not have a background in teacher preparation.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain through its Education Office at the Embassy of Spain in U.S. are implementing a program of collaboration to promote the study of the Spanish language and cultures in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and foster knowledge and appreciation of both cultures.

Check out Massachusetts teacher resources at Massachusetts Teacher Association.

Additional web resources:

Massachusetts

National Education Resources

Higher Education Resources

Additional Resources available at Bridgewater State's Career Services Office:

VIDEOS______________________________________________

Developing A Teacher Interview Portfolio 
The Teacher Job Search Series, 1997, 30 minutes  
Designed for educators, this comprehensive video presents everything a job seeker needs to know in the emerging area of professional job portfolios.  Employers talk about portfolio contents and how portfolios increase job chances.  Job seekers identify key portfolio items that enhance interview preparation and presentation.  The first video to reveal how job seekers design and use portfolios for interview preparations and in actual job interviews.

Interviewing Strategies for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
 The Teacher Job Search Series, 1997, 43 minutes  
This new video is essential for all candidates seeking jobs in K-8.  Actual interview clips illustrate key questions asked by hiring officials.  Spontaneous and insightful responses are given by elementary and middle school candidates.  Employers share specific ways in which candidates can improve interview performance and increase employment opportunities.  Video includes representation of diverse ethnic groups.

Interviewing Strategies for Secondary Teachers
The Teacher Job Search Series, 1996, 41 minutes  
This video is designed to prepare you with job search strategies, specifically for soon to be teachers.  

Recommended Print Resources in BSC's Career Services Reference Library:

Private Secondary Schools
Teacher Testing Requirements
Patterson's Elementary Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac Issue
The Job Hunter's Guide to Services and Career Fairs for Educators
The ABCs of Job Hunting for Teachers
How to Get the Teaching Job You Want
How to Develop a Professional Portfolio
101 Career Alternatives for Teachers
Requirements for Certification of Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Administrators

Last Modified: November 18, 2009