| As a new teacher, we come out of teacher's college | | | | it is easy for a new teacher to get discouraged sow |
| rearing to get out there, applying all the skills we | | | | try to get on the supply list, and soon find out that if |
| learned in teachers college, and have an impact on the | | | | we do somehow make it on that list, most of the calls |
| lives of students that we mentor and teach on a daily | | | | go to retired teachers, and ones who know people at |
| basis. So, we spruce up our resume, cross our fingers, | | | | the schools already. |
| and hope for some interviews, or even one. When we | | | | It isn't all doom and gloom for a new teacher though, |
| don't get the call, it's easy for a new teacher to get | | | | you just have to be open to your options, and look |
| discouraged. We ask ourselves, shouldn't there be | | | | outside the box. Here are some things that you can do |
| teachers retiring? What will it take for teaching jobs for | | | | while you're you're waiting for a teaching job: |
| a new teacher to open up? | | | | 1) Get additional qualifications. Some of the common |
| Surely many new teachers want to get a job close to | | | | subjects might be full; but there are shortages of |
| home, or we pick out a great city that we want to live | | | | teachers in subjects like French, Math, and Special |
| in, and apply there; but the problem is that many new | | | | Education etc. |
| teachers still aren't landing these positions. It is even | | | | 2) Apply to schools in more rural areas. Once you get |
| really hard to get on a supply list, never mind a long | | | | in the door and get some experience under your belt, |
| term occasional position. | | | | you'll have a much more attractive resume for future |
| One thing a new teacher must realize is that there is | | | | employers. |
| both a shortage and a surplus for teachers. How is this | | | | 3) Apply to teach overseas, there are so many |
| possible? At the moment, it is incredibly difficult to get a | | | | opportunities to see the world and get teaching |
| teaching position in an elementary school. Most | | | | experience at the same time, take advantage of it. |
| positions are filled internally (within the school board). | | | | 4) Use your teaching skills to make money in other |
| What this means is that sometimes new teachers or | | | | ways. With the accessibility of the Internet, and our |
| teachers with less seniority are considered 'surplus' | | | | skills as teachers, communicators and mentors, there is |
| and if possible are re-placed within the school board. | | | | absolutely no reason why we need to teach in a |
| Other times positions are only offered to a new | | | | conventional classroom. |
| teacher who has done several contracts with the | | | | If you're open to learning new skills, and applying the |
| board. Job postings only get offered to 'the rest of us' | | | | ones you already have, and can be open to new |
| once all other options have been explored; thus, it will | | | | ideas, you will find work. Do not forget to click on the |
| be really difficult for a new teacher to stumble on a | | | | link in the resource box below, where I offer a report |
| full-time contract. | | | | to teachers that outlines my experiences and the 7 |
| After applying to so many schools, with limited options, | | | | fatal mistakes you can make as a new teacher. |