Kinda discouraged, kinda long

I went on an interview today at a hiring hall. It went pretty well, my interviewer was so nice and made me feel very comfortable. The thing is I don't have any experience with the curriculum being implemented in the majority of schools, i.e., Balanced literacy, Wilson reading, Everyday Math.
So while I know OF these things I have no hands on experience with them and that's a problem. My interviewer today said principals really want people who KNOW this stuff already and don't have to be trained. I feel like I can't get experience if I don't get hired but I can't get hired if I don't have experience. It's VERY frustrating.
I mentioned to my interviewer that subbing might help me gain some experience and give me the opportunity to observe more seasoned teachers. She agreed and suggested some books that will help me to become familiar with different curricula. I'm just feeling a little discouraged and uncertain about where I'll be in September right now. Thanks for reading.

Re: Kinda discouraged, kinda long

First whats a hiring hall? I've never heard of that.

Secondly yes i think its true that principals would like you to know wilson, everyday math and balanced literacy(this one especially) its not necessarily true for all. I don't know if you've recently graduated for college, and if you did i'm assuming it wasnt in NY? Is that why you aren't familiar with them? The best thing I can tell you for interview wise, is read up on the curriculum online (or maybe someone here can give you a breakdown of each one), so when u go on an interview u can say you know something about it and if maybe the principal can tell you some more because it seems interesting.

Honestly I found it more frustrating that on interviews or even cold calling a schools the main focus question i would get is do you have a masters?

I know what you mean about you can't get hired if you don't have experience but can't get experience is you don't get hired. I felt the same way last year It lead me into a path were I wound up in a bad school because the "good" ones were hard to find a job in.

I just want to say that keep your head up, try and be confident in an interview with what you do know. Don't settle for any school just to get experience because it didn't do me any good. If anything put your subbing stuff in order now so in case you dont get a job for september you still have something lined up.

I noticed you're new and the people on this board are fantastic, insightful and pretty educated with various things all related to teaching. So if you have any questions to ask you definitely are in the right place

HTH!

Re: Kinda discouraged, kinda long

we're all in the same boat.

Re: Kinda discouraged, kinda long

I know exactly how you feel!
I am looking for a job in September as well. It is so hard to find a teaching position in New York.

Re: Kinda discouraged, kinda long

I know how you feel. I'm a catholic school teacher and the only thing I have "practiced" is balanced literacy. I know about Wilson and TC but never had the opportunity to teach using these programs because catholic school doesn't work that way.

It really stinks! I better read up on everyday math! I'm a good teacher and I would actually love to learn all this i just wish someone will give me a chance!

Re: Kinda discouraged, kinda long

Thank you so much girls!!! You are all so sweet.

I have my BA and Masters from schools in NY. So I do have some knowledge of the curriculum, the problem is I have ZERO experience implementing them. The schools I've worked in did not use those curricula. I think it comes across in interviews but I'll just have to teach myself by learning it inside out to give me some confidence.

I hope things work out for everybody! It is so scary how difficult it is to get a job.

Thanks you for the kind words and advice guys!!

PS A hiring hall is the recruitment office for all NYC schools. I know it used to be called that. It's at a central location in Brooklyn where they hold interviews and select qualified candidates and then enter those candidates into a computer system where individual principles can contact them.

Message edited 6/27/2008 11:39:55 AM.