| When a school searches for a new teacher for an | | | | identify the unique characteristics or qualifications of |
| open teaching position, they already have an image of | | | | particular teaching jobs. Remember that looking for a |
| the teacher they want. Every school has certain | | | | teaching job, like many other employment searches, is |
| qualities they feel a teacher must have to be | | | | about selling yourself and the best way to do this is by |
| successful. Those qualities can be many things | | | | identifying what the employer (i.e the school) wants. |
| depending on the needs and location of the school. | | | | The following is an abbreviated list of characteristics |
| While the qualities that each school considers important | | | | posted by a teacher in response to a UNICEF request |
| may vary, there are usually shared qualities that all | | | | to "What makes a Good Teacher?": |
| schools would consider important to the job. | | | | Positive - Thinks positively and enthusiastically about |
| The experience or background of a teacher is the | | | | people and what they are capable of becoming. Sees |
| most important quality a school looks for so your | | | | the good in any situation and can move forward to |
| resume should highlight the qualities they are looking for. | | | | make the most of difficult situations when confronted |
| If they are looking for an ESL TEFL TESOL teacher | | | | with obstacles. Encourages others to also be positive. |
| for kindergarten students, it may be best to highlight | | | | Dependable - Honest and authentic in working with |
| lessons that contain activities that you have initiated | | | | others. Consistently lives up to commitments to |
| and prepared at your previous schools with regards to | | | | students and others. Works with them in an open, |
| language acquisition. In addition, if you are looking at a | | | | honest, and forthright manner. |
| position for a content subject such as science or math, | | | | Organized - Makes efficient use of time and moves in |
| highlight your knowledge and education (i.e. degree) in | | | | a planned and systematic direction. Knows where he |
| that area. This is especially important if you are a new | | | | or she is heading and is able to help students in their |
| teacher with little or no experience. Regardless, you | | | | own organization and planning. Can think in terms of |
| should also have all academic qualifications available | | | | how organization can be beneficial to those served. |
| for the school to preview before you go for an | | | | Committed - Demonstrates commitment to students |
| interview. Most schools want to review the | | | | and the profession and is self-confident, poised and |
| qualifications prior to hiring or considering applicants for | | | | personally in control of situations. Has a healthy |
| a teaching position and will sometimes pass on | | | | self-image. Encourages students to look at themselves |
| teachers who don't submit these items for review | | | | in a positive manner, careful to honor the self-respect |
| when applying. This is especially true of TESL TEFL | | | | of the students, while encouraging them to develop a |
| TESOL training which is a requirement for obtaining a | | | | positive self-concept. |
| visa and work permit in most countries, regardless of | | | | Motivational - Enthusiastic with standards and |
| the subject taught. Each school is unique so the best | | | | expectations for students and self. Understands the |
| thing would be to have a cover letter that speaks to | | | | intrinsic motivations of individuals, and knows what it is |
| that school and the teaching job they are looking to fill. | | | | that motivates students. Takes action in constructive |
| Don't just have a blanket letter and teacher resume | | | | ways. |
| that you mass mail to any potential school looking for a | | | | Compassionate - Caring, empathetic and able to |
| teacher in the hopes of gaining employment. It may be | | | | respond to people at a feeling level. Open with |
| beneficial to have a list of professional highlights that | | | | personal thoughts and feelings, encouraging others to |
| you can copy and paste into a cover letter based on | | | | do likewise. Knows and understands the feelings of |
| the requirements of the position. | | | | students. |
| Another important consideration for schools is the | | | | Flexible - Willing to alter plans and directions in a |
| personal qualities of a teacher. Most schools are | | | | manner which assists people in moving toward their |
| looking for a long term commitment from a teacher so | | | | goals. Seeks to reason out situations with students and |
| they want to make sure that teacher will fit within their | | | | staff in a manner that allows all people to move |
| school. The obvious qualities that come to mind are | | | | forward in a positive direction. |
| personable, positive and flexible/patient because these | | | | Knowledgeable - Is in a constant quest for knowledge. |
| qualities will carry over into the classroom and | | | | Keeps up in his or her specialty areas, and has the |
| interaction with your future students. In addition, the | | | | insight to integrate new knowledge. Takes knowledge |
| school will look at a teacher's qualities with regards to | | | | and translates it to students in a way which is |
| their professionalism because there is much that is | | | | comprehensible to them, yet retains its originality. |
| required outside of the classroom such as preparing | | | | Creative - Versatile, innovative, and open to new ideas. |
| lessons, creating worksheets and tests and the | | | | Strives to incorporate techniques and activities that |
| always popular grading of assignments. In other words, | | | | enable students to have unique and meaningful new |
| they will want a teacher that is organized and | | | | growth experiences. |
| committed. If they feel that the teacher can't be | | | | Patient - Is deliberate in coming to conclusions. Strives |
| depended on, they may not consider them a viable | | | | to look at all aspects of the situation and remains highly |
| candidate. One of the things that may highlight a | | | | fair and objective under most difficult circumstances. |
| teacher's lack of commitment is a resume that shows | | | | Believes that problems can be resolved if enough input |
| numerous teaching positions over a short period of | | | | and attention is given by people who are affected. |
| time. Remember that you will not be judged strictly by | | | | You can also practice answers to typical teacher |
| your qualifications but on the sum of who you are as | | | | interview questions like the ones on the following sites: |
| an individual. | | | | Virginia Polytechnic Institute: career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC |
| The factors that go into a school's decision to accept | | | | interview/TEACHER.htm |
| a teacher are varied and many so it is impossible to | | | | Resumes for Teachers: resumes-for-teachers.com |
| cover them all. Regardless, cover the basics looked | | | | interview-questions. |
| for in any teacher for any teaching job and then | | | | |