Getting a Teaching Job

Objective: Students will be able develop a one page résumé of distinction to use for job applications.

Objective: Students will be able to use the Education Testing Service (ETS) website to research test dates, test sites, and specific tests required for Maryland certification to in order to register for and prepare for the Praxis II tests.

Objective: Students will research career development websites in order to develop a personal list of interview questions for review and practice prior to the teaching interview.

Objective: Students will access websites of state departments of education to research the process for becoming certified in Maryland and other states of their choice.

Introduction: In this activity you are going to explore four critical components in the process of securing a teaching job at the conclusion of student teaching and the completion of the McDaniel College education program. Thorough research and preparation in addressing these components will increase the probability of being hired in the school system of choice.

Directions: Listed below are some websites to visit and a short assignment associated with each of the four job search components. Feel free to visit other websites of your choice to research each component.

Component One: The Teaching Résumé and Cover Letter

In addition to the information contained in the McDaniel College Student Teacher Handbook, visit the following sites for further tips and advice on how to create a résumé and cover letter that will convince employers that you are the best candidate for the job.

http://purdue.placementmanual.com/education/education-03.html

http://www.usatoday.com/educate/careers/resume.htm

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/1876.shtml

Assignment: Create a one page résumé for use at job fairs, with recruiters. Create a cover letter for résumé’s you intend to send through the mail and to include with job applications.

Submission – Send your resume as a Word attachment to Dr. Travetto at stravetto@mcdaniel.edu.

Component Two: Praxis II

Praxis I and II are required for teaching certification in Maryland and in most states throughout the nation.

Assignment 2a – Test Registration: Using the Education Testing Service (ETS) link below, register for the appropriate Praxis II tests required for Maryland certification your content area. Make sure you register for a test date that is at least 8 weeks prior to the last day of your student teaching semester in order stay on track with the certification process. If you intend to apply for a job in another state, use this site to research the required tests for additional states in which you are interested in teaching.

www.ets.org

AA

Ass

Assignment 2b-Test Preparation: Find the information about preparing for the Praxis II tests and design a plan of action you intend to follow prior to taking the test.

Submission: Send the test numbers and test date(s) for which you are registered with your action plan for test preparation as a Word email attachment to Dr. Travetto at stravetto@mcdaniel.edu.

Component 3: Interviewing

Assignment: Using the websites that follow, create a set of at least 20 interview questions you believe are most critical and relevant for the job you are seeking. Use these questions to prepare for your interview.

http://education.umn.edu/SPS/career/edposint.html

http://www.jobsrv.eiu.edu/students/interviewing/eduqs.htm#top

Behavior-Based Interviewing

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:XQ6HjwSVPPUJ:www.fhsu.edu/career/edbbi.pdf+interviewing+education&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5

http://www.education-world.com/a_admin/admin/admin352.shtml

For Health and Physical Education Candidates

http://www.pecentral.org/jobcenter/interviewquestions.html

http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/ecso/interviewing.html

Submission: Send your interview questions as a Word email attachment to Dr. Travetto at stravetto@mcdaniel.edu.

Component 4: Application for Maryland Certification

As you know, upon completion of all requirements of the McDaniel College approved program for teacher certification, you will be eligible for a Maryland teaching certificate. You must follow the process for application for certification exactly as described on the Maryland State Department of Education certification website. Using this link,

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/certification/certification_branch/

locate the steps to follow for applying for Maryland certification and print it to use upon completion of your program. Remember, you are or will be a recent graduate of a Maryland Approved Program (MAP).

If you are interested in researching the procedure for applying to another state for a teaching position, go to the state department of education’s website in that state and follow the links to information about certification.

Assignment: Send Dr. Travetto an email when you receive your Maryland teaching certificate. This information is used to inform the next class of student teachers as to the average number of weeks/months it takes to process a certification application. Please send the date of submission of the required information and the date you received your certificate. You will obviously not be graded on this assignment. You will, however, have my gratitude and appreciation for helping your fellow teacher candidates.

Rubric

	unacceptable	developing	accomplished
Component 1	Resume exceeds 1 page and includes information not directly related to the desired job. There are spelling and grammatical errors.	The resume needs polish. While it is grammatically correct and includes relevant information, the entries need to be more behavior/outcome based. The flow and readability of the resume needs to be addressed.	Resume is a one page, behavior based, and grammatically perfect. It includes information that directly relates to the desired job in an easily read and understood format.
Component 2	The test date is too late to receive scores by the end of student teaching. The action plan is unrealistic.	Either the test date is too late or the action plan is unrealistic.	The test date is appropriate and the action plan is realistic.
Component 3	This list of questions is not adequate to prepare for the teaching interview.	This list of questions is adequate to prepare for the teaching interview.	The list of questions is extensive for comprehensive preparation for the teaching interview.