2 answers
Sierrah
Student
1
Question
Updated
364 views
How to apply for teaching jobs?
When applying for high school history teacher jobs, what are schools specifically looking for in candidates? I want to work at an inner city school, what experiences and qualifications do schools in cities look for?
Login to comment
2 answers
Kimberlee Radcliff
Account Executive
5
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Kimberlee’s Answer
When applying for teaching jobs, I would focus on showing more than just your knowledge of the subject. Schools also want to know that you can connect with students, manage a classroom, plan lessons, work well with other teachers, and adjust when something is not working.
I was an elementary school teacher before moving into my current role in educational technology, and one of the biggest things I learned is how important it is to get to know your students. Students are much more likely to participate and ask for help when they feel comfortable with their teacher and know that their teacher wants them to succeed.
If you have student teaching, tutoring, coaching, substitute teaching, or any other experience working with students, I would definitely use examples from those experiences in your application and interviews. Even if the experience is not exactly the same as the position you are applying for, it can still show how you communicate with students, handle challenges, and work with others.
I would also spend some time looking into each school and district before you apply or interview. Their website can give you a better idea of what they focus on and can help you think of questions you may want to ask during the interview.
Every school is different, so I think it is helpful to learn as much as you can about the specific school you are interested in.
I was an elementary school teacher before moving into my current role in educational technology, and one of the biggest things I learned is how important it is to get to know your students. Students are much more likely to participate and ask for help when they feel comfortable with their teacher and know that their teacher wants them to succeed.
If you have student teaching, tutoring, coaching, substitute teaching, or any other experience working with students, I would definitely use examples from those experiences in your application and interviews. Even if the experience is not exactly the same as the position you are applying for, it can still show how you communicate with students, handle challenges, and work with others.
I would also spend some time looking into each school and district before you apply or interview. Their website can give you a better idea of what they focus on and can help you think of questions you may want to ask during the interview.
Every school is different, so I think it is helpful to learn as much as you can about the specific school you are interested in.
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
200
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
This is a complicated question.
As it depends upon the specific urban area and the larger ones have more than one "inner city" set of neighborhoods. As in New York: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn all have such neighborhoods. And they are all different, with some concerns in common, of course, but there are variances as well. And this is but one example of an urban area.
Then there are different approaches, many based upon differing educational "theories", many espoused at various education departments at assorted institutions of higher learning.
Therefore, there is quite a bit of confusion going on out in the real educational world. If there is no confusion, these problems would have been solved long ago. And even then, the problems can keep changing.
Therefore, as a fist step in answering your complex question, I would recommend you go out and make appointments to visit high schools in your area, and talk to individuals on the '"front lines" of their experiences and their assorted approaches, meaning make appointments and hopefully talk to both administrators and teachers , and not necessarily just history teachers.
One additional point: You fail to provide information regarding where you live and/or where you are currently involved in your studies. Providing such information would in all probabliity have been helpful, to allow for a more centered response.
As it depends upon the specific urban area and the larger ones have more than one "inner city" set of neighborhoods. As in New York: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn all have such neighborhoods. And they are all different, with some concerns in common, of course, but there are variances as well. And this is but one example of an urban area.
Then there are different approaches, many based upon differing educational "theories", many espoused at various education departments at assorted institutions of higher learning.
Therefore, there is quite a bit of confusion going on out in the real educational world. If there is no confusion, these problems would have been solved long ago. And even then, the problems can keep changing.
Therefore, as a fist step in answering your complex question, I would recommend you go out and make appointments to visit high schools in your area, and talk to individuals on the '"front lines" of their experiences and their assorted approaches, meaning make appointments and hopefully talk to both administrators and teachers , and not necessarily just history teachers.
One additional point: You fail to provide information regarding where you live and/or where you are currently involved in your studies. Providing such information would in all probabliity have been helpful, to allow for a more centered response.