I’m frustrated. I can’t get a teaching job. I can’t even get casual work. This is the fifth week of the 2010 school year and I sit at home twiddling my thumbs waiting for the phone to ring. I blitzed my university studies. First Class Honours…for what…a piece of paper that I can frame and mount on the wall? I want to teach! I’m excited, eager and enthusiastic. What do I need to do?
I can’t teach anywhere in NSW because I can’t relocate. I have a family and a home. My husband has a successful business & we are happy where we live. I have to stay put and try to scratch around for casual work….like an old chook looking for worms. There aren’t too many worms in this patch of grass either. Casual teachers seem to be a dime a dozen where I live and their numbers are growing all of the time.
I have given my personal details to eleven schools in my local area. Should I approach more schools? I have been contemplating offering myself as a volunteer at schools where I would like to work and today I decided that, that is what I would do. I contacted a school and told them that I was a qualified teacher and I would like to offer my services as a volunteer. The Principal said that he would ask his teachers at the next staff meeting if any of them are interested in my assistance. Fingers crossed. I believe the secret to gaining employment is not so much what you know but rather, who you know. I wonder if other teachers will jump at the chance of having another qualified (although inexperienced) teacher in their classroom to help out or whether they will shy away from such assistance.
I hope that somebody will take me up on my offer because it will give me more experience, more confidence and maybe a few doors will open for me.
Hi, I am a first time visitor and long time teacher. When I graduated, I too was limited to where I could teach and could not accept a country posting. I turned to the private school network as an alternative and have never had a problem finding work within the system, as a relief teacher or a permanent teacher. In fact, one school I went to offered me a permanent job after half a day of relief teaching! I don’t know if you have applied to private schools within you 11 applications but it is just a thought. I also would recommend calling and making an appointment to meet with the deputy head or headmaster, rather than just dropping in a CV.
Wow, that’s wonderful that you were able to find work so readily in the private sector. Thanks for your input. One of the schools that has my CV is a private school. I had to make an appointment and talk to the person in charge of Primary education when I dropped off my CV….I wait and hope.
I was also going at suggest the same as Christie. My advice is to try all Catholic and independent schools in the area you would like to teach. Make an appointment to see the Deputy Principal and/or Principal. Good luck.
Thanks Marie.
Good advice that I will definitely act upon
It is a matter of who you know and not what you know as well. some schools have a favorite list of casuals that they use others are willing to try new people. We love new people. keeps all of us fresh and inspired. You will find that there will be more work available 2nd and 3rd term esp in winter as staff become ill. But keep trying. As suggested if there are any private schools around definitely try them. How far are you willing to travel as well and look at places that are that distant from where you are. Volunteering is a great idea as then the staff get to know you and what you can do.
Just wish you lived closer. Good luck with it all
We have added two new relief teachers to our list this week, but unfortunately we are too far away for you in Melbourne, Mrs Dem! Some of our current staff began as relief teachers and we are very lucky to have them.
Definitely cast your net as wide as you can to see where you can get a few nibbles. If you can just get a toe in the door then you’re in with a chance!
I hope there is a school near you who can recognise the richness you would bring to their school…Good luck!
PS Take your art work along and volunteer to do some art workshops…they will be knocking down your door!!!!
Thanks Kim. I feel encouraged by all of these comments. I know that sitting at home waiting is not going to get me a job. I have to be pro-active and get out there and sell myself.
I absolutely agree with all the comments above. You are so me 10 years ago. I remember feeling so frustrated waiting for the phone to ring and then the one day I had my hair cut or some other appointment lined up, it would ring. Hang in there, keep healthy especially in term 2 and 3 when there will be work around, Definitely get a Catholic number if you can and find all the private schools you can drive to and register with them. They have to rely on their own casual lists and often do not have many on those lists. they wil probably need to do working with children checks so be prepared for that. I now work in the private system, it was the only way for me to get tenure. I am still on the department lists but do not expect a permanent position with them ever to materialise because like you I cannot travel too far and I live in an area of Sydney with very few vacancies. it is the part of the system that I think sucks. Good luck you are obviously worth it and it will happen, it took me a while but I soon picked up blocks of work and that led to more and then permanency.
Thanks Henrietta for your comment. I have been feeling a bit down lately. The ‘system’ is frustrating for mature-aged people like you and me because we can’t drop everything and relocate. I am envious of all of the younger graduates with no ties who have the freedom to teach anywhere in the world. Thanks for your good wishes. I will hang in there.
Hang in there, something will turn up as long as you show them you really want it. Volunteering was a very good idea. You could offer to work along side teachers to set up eLearning components, use your blog as an example – ePortfolios for children.
Pity you are not near us, plenty of work in little old NZ.
Thanks for your encouragement. I rang a private school today and they seemed keen. They said they’d get back to me. I’d love to get involved with e-learning.
Plenty of work in NZ hey? I holidayed on the South Island back in 1985. It’s a beautiful place. I wonder if Mr Dem would like to move there
I would love to have you volunteer in my library as soon as I am back to teaching. Will ask the others at school if they would like a volunteer, if you are happy with that.
Cheers
Wow that would be great Audrey!
One school has taken me up on my offer & I start there next week. Four teachers have indicated their interest so it looks like I’m going to be busy
I welcome the experience.
[...] by Mrs Dem It seems the universe was listening when I proclaimed my plea for work. Since my last post I have had four days work. Hardly something to do cartwheels over, but pleasing nonetheless. I [...]