This is the perfect time to become a full-time teacher and yet too many college graduates who majored in education, or corporate workers looking to transition to teaching, cannot secure a teaching position. Where are the opportunities? How do you market yourself appropriately? In Launch a Teaching Career: Secrets for Aspiring Teachers, Dr. Peter Leibman explains in great detail how to avoid the resume pile, enhance your candidacy, and move to the head of the class. A step-by-step plan of action is presented giving you a comprehensive guide to achieve your goal of becoming a teacher. You will learn how to: * Build a positive reputation as an undergraduate student * Effectively transition from the corporate world * Develop a powerful network of supporters * Write a dynamic broadcast letter designed to get you more interviews * Avoid resume pitfalls and present yourself in a professional manner * Ace the interview by taking control * Learn where the job opportunities really are * Enhance your position and impress school administrators
CONTENTS Dedication Acknowledgments About the Author Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Why is this the best time to become a teacher? *Unemployment and the economy *Population trends *Job prospects: general *Additional education positions *Reciprocal certification *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 2: Characteristics of effective teachers *Makes learning relevant *The ability to speak publicly *Create a positive learning environment *Check the prejudice at the door *Create occasions for success *See everyone *Think outside the box *See your students through - don't see through them *Technological expertise *The ability to anticipate *Be able to make accommodations *Understand the impact of your presentation *Be well organized *Be a motivator *Be an advocate *Be a team player *Be adaptable *Be patient *Why do you want to be a teacher? *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 3: Pre-graduation advice for future teachers *The plan *Coursework *Leadership *Volunteer *Observation Hours *Dual Certification *Work with children *Professionalism *Student Teaching *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 4: Transitioning from corporate to teaching *Why is a career changer an attractive candidate? *The certification route for career changers *Why do people make the transition to teaching? *How do you know if teaching is right for you? *Assess your teaching potential *Incentive programs for career changers *Five compelling stories of career changers *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 5: The Teacher Certification Process *Finding the right school *Graduate schools *Your GPA *General requirements for certification *What is edTPA? *What is Praxis? *General test taking secrets *State Departments of Education *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 6: Networking for a teaching job *How are most jobs filled? *We recommend people we like and will do a good job *Who are your potential network members? *Get organized *LinkedIn *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 7: The Broadcast Letter *Where should the focus really be? *What can the letter achieve? *Major pitfalls in letter submission *Components of the broadcast letter *Sample letters *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 8: The Resume *Negative resume factors Poor resume samples *Good resume samples *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 9: The Interview Process *You have the interview. Now what? *Research is the key *Your appearance *The night before the interview *The morning of the interview *Observe, observe, observe *Be confident *What is the principal looking for? *Your answers *Your questions *The close *The demo lesson *The follow-up note *Questions and Answers with the author Chapter 10: You Have the Job: Now What? *Be proactive *The parents - elementary level *The parents - adolescent level *Discipline problems *Support staff *Teaching potentially controversial topics *Professionalism *School law *Grading *Graduate School *Professional organizations *Questions and Answers with the author Conclusion
