How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I am trying to get my foot in the door and work as a ParaProfessional for the Department of Education and was wondering how you acquired your position?

Did you apply online? Leave your resume at a school office/principal? Were you referred by someone?

Just curious what my best option would be. This would be my first time working for the Department of Education if given the opportunity.

Any feedback is appreciated.

TIA.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I applied at TEACHNYC and then I went to a job fair. I got a position at the fair and then had to go to a placement fair to interview with specific schools. I met an AP there and she had me come in for a formal interview and I got the job. This was 8 years ago though when they were desperate for teachers.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I got pretty lucky. The school I worked for advertised on craigslist. They put me through the process of interviewing and demos several times but the hold up was hiring me because of the hiring freeze. Eventually I was hired, because I guess they couldn't get anyone else. I was glad to be able to transfer.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I'll be honest... Connections.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I am a NYC Teaching Fellow.

If you go through the fellows, there are many perks. If you are interested in teaching in the city, I recommend it. A lot of people in the program were paras in the past-I think they sort of look for that, since often paras have lots of SpEd experience.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

Thank you for your replies ladies - I really appreciate it and will look into it.

For now - I have another question =)

If a principal nominates you and you begin the online process to acquire a position - will you then work for the principal's school that nominated you?

I know ParaProfessionald begin their career as substitutes before they are offered a full-time position - but is the first placement the one in which the principal nominated you or would you begin working in a different school from your nomination first?

Im wondering if I could be nominated by a principal but not necessarily work in their school.


TIA!!

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I don't know the answer to the question you just posted because things have changed a lot since I got my job in 1996 (when all you needed was a pulse to get hired, seriously.)

Anyway, people come in and drop off resumes, and my principal does keep them and when he has a spot he starts there. So you may want to think about that- identify an area and just drop off resumes. I think in the current climate you need to go closer to the source. Central was a huge mess when I got my job and I bet it still is. I just started calling schools and happened to find one with an opening.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

I sent my resume to principals in schools/ areas that I would want to teach in. At the time I was still in a stage of my life where I could be picky. One of those principals actually sent my resume onto my school because he knew they were looking and he thought it would be a good fit. I will be starting my 5 th year in sept and love my school.

Re: How did you get the position working for the DOE?

a friend of mine had a friend whose school was looking to fill a position. Her AP had asked if she knew anyone and recommended me (though we werent "friends" yet)