Transcript Presentation title goes here (All content is Trebuchet font)

Preparing for a Career in
Teaching
Teacher Education
Presented by Career Services
Facilitator – Career Services
Kara Renaud
Resource Coordinator & Faculty Liaison
Agenda
Resume
Building for
Teaching
Career
Preparation
Targeted Cover
Letter Writing
Question?
What do you think makes up a good resume?
Resume Building for
Teachers
Principal Interviews
•
Series of interviews conducted with elementary and secondary
school principals across Ontario
•
We asked them about their expectations for:
•
•
Resumes
•
Cover letters
•
References
Also discussed:
•
Methods of hiring & interviewing
•
Portfolios
Resumes – Structure & Format
Length
Format
Style
Content Organization
Resumes – Length
TEACHER RESUME
• 2-3 pages with
references included
REFERENCES
• Teachers, Principals those who have observed
you teach
Resumes - Format
CHRONOLOGICAL
Listed in reverse chronological
format – most recent first
Demonstrates career
progression
Most recognized format
Resumes - Style
Clean & Clear
Easy to follow,
Organized,
Linear
White paper,
black ink
Consistency
Name, phone,
page # at top
of 2nd page
Use of bullets
Font style &
point size
Word
document, no
templates
Use of bold,
underline and
italics
Resumes - Content Organization
Principals are looking for:
Education
(teachables)
Additional
Courses
Classroom
Experience
Teaching
Related
Experience
Volunteer/
ExtracurricularSpecial
Skills
Resume Review Activity
•
What do you think of the format of the sample resume?
Resumes – Content & Professionalism
Focus & Perspective
Professionalism &
Integrity
Use of Accomplishment
Statements
Resumes – Focus & Perspective
Know your
audience
Importance of
language &
buzzwords
Clear
articulation of
your skills and
experience
Customization
and relevancy
Resumes – Professionalism & Integrity
Honesty &
Credibility
Professional
Language
Spelling &
Grammar
Accuracy of
Dates
Resumes – Use of Accomplishments
A career-oriented definition of an accomplishment:
“An accomplishment is something specific that you did;
solved a difficult problem, met an interesting
challenge, reacted to a crisis or had a success which
had a quantifiable or implied result and you enjoyed
doing it.”
Why are Accomplishments Important?
Help us identify personal,
academic & work
achievements
Demonstrate the impact of
our actions
Help us to recognize our
strengths and values
Preference given to those
who articulate their
accomplishments as opposed
to describing activities
Accomplishment Statements
THREE PARTS
Past Tense Action
Verb
Activities or Actions
Performed
Result/Impact of your
Actions, Demonstration
of Knowledge/Practices
Emphasizing Accomplishments
Start with an action verb and noun:
“Tutored students”………..then:
Quantify


Provide context

Give results
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Tutored 10 students in remedial math which resulted in
an improvement in their grades from a C to a B+ by the
end of the year
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Tutored 10 students in remedial math using manipulatives
to assist with grade improvement
Possible Accomplishments
implemented a new extra-curricular program
contributed to a successful event (concert, sports team)
employed a unique teaching method or strategy (i.e. smart boards,
integrated subject learning across the curriculum)
improved impact of communication with students and parents
prevented/solved a problem
developed a new process or resource
received an award
improved teamwork or teacher morale
Your Goal is to go from this…
Fitness Trainer
Body-Pro Fitness Club, St. Catharines, ON
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Taught fitness classes
•
Met with individual clients
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Designed customized fitness plans
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Recognized for my work
2010-2013
…to this!
Fitness Trainer
2010-2013
Body-Pro Fitness Club, St. Catharines, ON
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Followed a standard curriculum but accommodated
physical exceptionalities of older and less able
participants
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Voted ‘employee of the month’ 5 times in the last 2 years by
the Club’s clientele for exceptional customer service
Statement Worksheet
• activities, teaching methods
Describe what you did
What resulted from
what you did?
• think about what happened,
why it counts, why would this
be of interest to a principal?
• Think about action verbs to
What transferable
describe your experiences
skills were used to
achieve those results?
Resume Activity – Part 2
•
What do you think of the statements in this resume?
Points to Remember
Focus is not on the quantity of
statements, but the QUALITY &
RELEVANCY to the position
Wear the hat of the principal– identify
what is unique about your background
Speak the language of your audience
– incorporate buzz words and
accomplishments that mean
something to the reader
Targeted Cover Letter Writing
Cover Letter – General Tips
Refer to handout on: Guidelines for a Teaching Cover Letter
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One page in length
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3-4 paragraphs are typical
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Addressing & Salutation
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Attention to detail
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Spelling/Grammar
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Highlight reference numbers/Job ID if applicable
Customization
What does it mean?
Customizing your approach means conducting research on the
school board, determining their needs and devising a strategy to
demonstrate that you're the best teacher candidate.
What should the cover letter accomplish?
Your cover letter should reflect a clear understanding of the
school board, their strategic initiatives and how your skills and
experience can be of value to the school and the students.
Planning your Cover Letter
Know your
skills
• Assessment
• Reflection
• Evidence &
Stories
Research
the board
• Mission/vision
• Strategic
Initiatives
• Programming &
Activities
Review posting
thoroughly
• Position title
• Application
method and
deadline
• Supplementary
Documents
• How to address
the letter
• Skills and
qualifications
• Buzz words
The ‘T’ Analysis
Employer Requirements
My Qualifications
JOB DESCRIPTION
Elementary Occasional Teachers
Staff Vacancy# Eight (8)
Applications Close: Wednesday, November 21st, 2013, 4:00 p.m.
The following long-term occasional position is available for Elementary Occasional Teachers only. Those Occasional Teachers who are on the
current (active) District School Board of Niagara’s Elementary Occasional Teachers' List are eligible to apply. The term is for the period indicated.
Posting #
School
Principal
FTE
Description
Period
8
Central Public
School
Shellee Niznik
0.25
Jr. Literacy & Prep
(even day - mornings)
9:00am-12:10pm
November 26, 2013 June 28, 2014
Interested qualified applicants are requested to submit their application by November 21, 2013, 4:00 p.m. through
applytoeducation.com.
We thank all candidates for their interest to this position. However, owing to the great number of applications usually received for long-term
Occasional positions, we wish to advise that only those applicants under consideration will be interviewed or have their application
acknowledged.
Source: http://www.dsbn.org/uploadedFiles/Career_Opportunities/Teaching_Opportunities/Posting%208xls.pdf
Employer Requirements
Could
include:
Teachable Subjects (if applicable)
Specialized Courses
Other relevant Professional Development
Special/Unique Skills that could contribute to extracurricular activities
Classroom Experience (other teaching related
experience)
Strategic initiatives
Buzz words (I.e. differentiated learning, learning for all,
professional learning community (PLC))
Your Qualifications
Considering the points listed under Employer Requirements,
think about how you meet those points
Ask yourself:
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Do you have the education required?
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Do you have the teachable subjects needed?
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Do you have the appropriate additional courses?
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What is the best example/evidence you have that demonstrates
the skills needed for the position?
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Do you have the desired experience?
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What unique experiences or skills do you have that could
contribute to extra-curricular programming and activities?
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Are there requirements you don’t have?
After the T-Analysis
Review the list of employer requirements and prioritize the list
Focus on the key skills and qualifications that are your strengths
Provide evidence (examples/stories) from your background that support your
skills/qualifications
Consider the research you have done on the board and how it matches your
values/goals
Use positive, confident language that demonstrates your passion for teaching and
working with children
Begin drafting your letter!
Additional Resources
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Resume & Cover Letter review service – drop in! Or visit us
at Career Day on January 10th
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Email option ([email protected]) for Hamilton campus
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Online workshops available on http://careerzone.brocku.ca
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Resume Samples available
Career Preparation
Notable Points
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Visit the School Board websites for application process
and required documents
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Principals will give preference to those who have
attended, supplied or volunteered for their board
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Seek out opportunities to practice your interview skills
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Know how to effectively use a Career Portfolio
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Principals will creep you on Facebook/Twitter
Current Job Market
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Currently there is a surplus of teacher candidates in
Ontario (especially English Language Teachers)
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Prospects greater for teachers of specialized subjects i.e.
music, math, french language, technology
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Declining enrollment = class combining = fewer teachers
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Job market predicted to improve by 2015
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Alberta & Quebec do not declare an over supply
Exploring Options
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Supply lists and long term occasional positions
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Flexibility to teach abroad or in rural northern areas
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Further Education - MEd
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Explore ‘non-classroom’ career paths
Career Services can help!
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Degree Exploration Guides
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‘Non-classroom careers’ for Education majors binder
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Self Assessment Tools
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Portfolio Development
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Interview Assistance (InterviewStream)
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Work abroad resources (Going Global)
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Teacher Mentors available!
Available on the Career Services website:
brocku.ca/career-services
InterviewStream
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Looking for interview help!
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Check out InterviewStream on careerzone
Questions?
Thank you and good luck!
For additional assistance, stop by Career Services
Call 905-688-5550 x5115 (Resource Centre)
[email protected]
Our location: Learning Commons, just inside entrance
from Thistle Corridor.