Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Hi Everyone,

I've been teaching for the past seven years for the city-in Queens to be exact. I moved out to eastern suffolk county this past April so naturally I am so EAGER to find work in Long Island. I grew up on Long Island and do know how difficult it is to find a job unless you no someone-almost impossible!

I've tried year after year applying and rarely got called for an interview. This year. was the exception!! I have had 6 interviews since April and still have not landed a job. I am a wonderful teacher and my classroom was chosen as a MODEL classroom in the region in where I teach. Once again, it's all who you know.

I am waiting on my last two POSSIBILITIES. One is a school district in nassau county who I had two interviews with-the last one being three weeks ago. It looked GREAT and when 3 weeks rolled around and I didn't hear anything I e-mailed the principal and she write back right away and told me they haven't made any decisions YET, she's been on vacation. This was on Tuesday that we corresponded. Now, my other interview was last week in Suffolk County and I haven't heard back. From my experience with the other four I had been on I got a rejection letter!

I am so stressed and sit by my phone waiting and waiting!

Any advice?? By the way...I am an elementary teacher--my area is SOOO COMPETITIVE!!

Thanks and sorry for the longgg e-mail but wanted to explain my status to all to get the proper advice on what to do or feel about these two districts who haven't contacted me yet...to say YES or NO.

Thanks,
Keri

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

I have no advice. There are a few girls on here struggling to get LI elementary jobs. You are in a tough market. Besides your experience, do you have anything else to stand out? Are you dually certified?

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Hi and thanks for responding.

I am not dually certified-a mistake I made many years ago. My Masters is just in Elem Ed.

As for standing out..well, I do believe 7 years of new york city public school teaching is a "stand-out" enough. In April, I was VERY close to a job offer, had done a demo and then the district's budget failed. The position ended up being absorbed from within.

EVERY interview I've walked into there is someone there who knows someone. The most obvious was when there were two interview panels going on in two different rooms and the Assistant Principal walked out and pointed to the candidate going in saying he knew her! COME ON! These poor children are being taught by inexperienced people at times just because they knew someone!!

Its the ultimate disappointment for me! I work so hard and am a wonderful teacher! But my family doesn't know a Superintendent of a Principal.

Where out in Suffolk did you get your Buisness position? Congrats!! All the best!!

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

i wish i knew what to tell you.. i've been there. there are a few reasons you feel frustrated.

1. el. ed. is SOO competitive. there are way too many teacher ed. programs in the area and not enough positions.

2. believe it or not, you may almost have too much experience. sometimes, if you get "stuck" in the BOE for too long, it's hard to get out. since teacher salaries and school budgets are SOO closely tied to property taxes, often they hire cheaply. for example, the young teacher just out of college is cheaper to hire than you: you who have 7+ years experience and a Masters degree.

3. Also, often it is who you know. i hate to say it, but it is . out of all the resumes i sent out a few years ago, i got four interviews. one was from a friend who knew the superintendent, (was offered that job!!!) the other two were off olasjobs.org, and the other one was where i was a T.A. a few years back and the prinicpal remembered me and hired me. (I took that job).

4. Also, what makes you stand out besides teaching? I got more comments and questions during my interview about my work with the urban poor, traveling to the 3rd world and working outside the field of teaching than "tell me about your philosophy of teaching reading?" everyone knows what to say about that.... they want someone different than the person that got their Masters and Hofstra and that's it. they want something special that you can bring in.


Hang in there! i think the position in Nassau still looks alive for you... i would e-mail or call the principal in Suffolk...and see where they are at this late date.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

I know the feeling of not getting a position for not knowing someone.

I was passed up on a position and the person who got the position was another teacher's boyfriend.

In the past 3 years I have gone through so many interviews, and making it pretty far in the process for most. (I am also math 7-12 certified).

The few elem. teachers I know all got their jobs after a few years of subbing, and being a perm sub with leave replacements.

it puts you in a tough situation because why would you leave 7 years in NYC for a leave pay? If money isn't a factor it may want to be considered, because that may be another way to get known here on the island and make some "friends".

If you can fax your resume today, this may be a good bet for you.

POSITION: Elementary School Teachers
SALARY: PER RCFA CONTRACT
REQUIREMENTS:
? Valid NYS Teacher Certification, K - 6
All interested applicants must send letter of interest and resume, by
August 2, 2007 to:
Mr. Joseph Ogeka, Jr.
Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Community Service
700 Osborne Avenue
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631) 369-7157
fax (631-369-6816),
email [email protected]

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Thanks a lot for the advice!!!

I do know that going into my 8th year may or may not be in my favor.

I just wonder if schools usually wait until August to know something!

Right now my commute is two hours..I am out in Medford and my husband doesn't know how I am going to mange a full year like this. At least when we moved on April 30th I had only two months left.

Thanks,
Keri

PS. Every interview I have gotten was from randomly sending in my resume. I have NOT ONCE been contacted for an elem ed job from OLAS. I am beginning to wonder if jobs are "just" listen because they have to be.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

I actually applied last week to the position in Riverhead. So far no calls! As for taking a leave. I would not. I have tenure and a good salary--going up 10,000 this year. In your 8th year you jump big. Although a leave is a good way to "get in" it's too risky and I can't do it. I'd be a nervous wreck all year about what will happen at the end of the year.

I happen to work in a new school (Pre-K-2) in Queens. Been there since they opened in 2001 so for that I am lucky.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Honestly, like the other posters said, it is a very tough market. You may want to spend some time getting another certification to make you stand out.

7 years in NYC makes you a very expensive new teacher, unfortunately - so that is probably also against you.

The whole "who you know" - it goes both ways. I knew nobody in my district and got a job. But you also have to understand, they may "know someone" because they subbed there or was a leave replacement there. It seems like that is how most elementary school teachers get their job - they sub for a few years, or take a leave replacement.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Hi Karen

You are right! I am just not in a position to do that.

Wow, your an elementary ed teacher who got a job without knowing anyone, seriously? I've rarely heard of that. Is your district hiring?

Thanks,
Keri

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

I'm not elementary - I am secondary math.

Sorry, I should have said that in my post!

Message edited 8/2/2007 5:19:58 PM.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

WOW, yesterday? Elem ed? What district? Lucky her!!!

Am I doing something wrong on here..I am new.

How do I know that the person who I respond to gets my response???

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Guess what..im RELATED to an Asst Superintendent in a very good district on LI and he was no help to me at all. I have taught for 4 years and have certification in Literacy. Go figure!!!

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Guess what..im RELATED to an Asst Superintendent in a very good district on LI and he was no help to me at all. I have taught for 4 years and have certification in Literacy. Go figure!!!


WOW, really! That's terrible (for you). So you mean you teach someone other then where he is the ASST Super?

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Posted by KeriNY

Guess what..im RELATED to an Asst Superintendent in a very good district on LI and he was no help to me at all. I have taught for 4 years and have certification in Literacy. Go figure!!!


WOW, really! That's terrible (for you). So you mean you teach someone other then where he is the ASST Super?


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yes im presently a catholic school teacher in Queens..i have only taught PreK so he said that the fact that i have only taught PreK will hinder my ability to get a Job on LI. I'll be teaching Kindergarten in September (Same Catholic school). I was very upset when he told me that. I know how to teach 1st to 6th grade. I was GIVEN the job of teaching PreK 4 years ago and of course took it b/c there was nothing else. Now its being "Held agaist me". I really hope I get a public school job eventually!



Oh wow. I now teach Pre-K too. I also did four years of K. That's sad to hear that this could hinder you. The 'beginning" years are just as important if not more then the later years. We capture them early on.

PS. How do I respond to your ad. Like I keep copying and pasting our correspondences so you can see my reply is to you. I see ever time you write me you have my letter in italics. How do you do that? Thanks!

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

instead of pressing reply just press quote

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Where in Queens do you teach? I live in queens and teach there.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

you're welcome!

i work in Flushing..good luck to you! It stinks trying to find a job!!

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

I know my district is still looking for Elem teachers. I was up at DO today and they had someone waiting to interview. I spoke with her and she only got the call yesterday. She random;y sent her resume to my district last week.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice

in regards to OLAS the position I got hired for was from applying through OLAS.


The position was only listed for a few days and then it came off.

Re: Long Island Interviewing--Seeking Advice