YouSchools.org

I completed my student teaching about a year ago.  The school was a very small, tight-knit community.  I loved every minute of being there, and learned so much.  The kids in my classroom were my favorite part of the school community.  They were just a great group of fourth graders.  Each one had his/her own special characteristics that I think I will remember forever. 

I subbed at that school yesterday for the first time since then.  I was lucky enough to run into many of my old students, who are now “big 5th graders”.  It was like I returned home after a long time away!  They were all so excited to see me, gave me hugs, wanted to share with me everything I’ve missed since last year.  It was wonderful.   I left feeling so good and happy.  It is nice to feel like they really connected with me the way I did with them.  I can only imagine making that connection with classrooms full of children year after year.

According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 24% of all workers no longer feel loyal to their current employer. This backs up a number of other studies, surveys and anecdotal evidence that suggests that once the economy starts to add jobs, employees are going to jump ship in droves.

So my question is: How likely are you to move on if you are offered another job?

I have been subbing at various elementary schools, different classrooms and different grade levels.  One thing is common among them all in the past week…the kids have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads with no room for much else! How is it possible to stay on task when everyone is either geared up for the holiday and the impending visit from Santa or just REALLY anxious for Winter vacation? 

In some classrooms, the sub instructions involve coloring pictures of snowmen or reading “Olive the Other Reindeer” by Vivian Walsh (a WONDERFUL book, by the way).  We can put our teacher-ly twists on things and try our best to tie them into the curriculum.  But, is the point lost on the kids?  To them, doing these activities only enhances their excitement. 

As a sub, I LOVE being involved with the fun activities.  It’s great to see children  get over-the-top excited for Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or Winter.  As kids, that’s their job!  I have great respect for teachers and their patience!  I guess for the week before the holidays, being patient and understanding is  a teacher’s job.

Mary J, a recent graduate of a well known university with a Master’s in Elem. Ed (gr 1-6) had joined YouSchools.org as a guest blogger. From time to time, Mary will post entries about her job search progress and set backs. Feel free to offer advice, suggestions, comments or criticism to Mary.  Or, maybe even an interview or job?

It has been about one year since finishing my Master’s in Elem. Ed (gr 1-6). I have put in my time student teaching, subbing, and am currently volunteering in classrooms.  I have a strong resume (as strong as a first year teacher’s can be) and have sent that resume to over 25 school systems.  Why is it that I have still not even had an interview??? 

At first I assumed that there were so many people laid off in this bad economic time that the teachers with experience were getting the jobs and my day would soon come.  The longer I wait for my day, the less confident I become. 

Are schools hiring?  Are they looking for more experience than I have?  Is my resume not as good as the resume assistance department of my grad school and I thought?  Am I missing an important step in the process?

If you know who is getting jobs and what they are doing to get them…please clue me in!