FROM BACKPACK TO BRIEFCASE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR NEW TEACHERS

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FROM BACKPACK TO BRIEFCASE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR NEW TEACHERS

• Presented by Krista Richardson
• Coordinator of Career Services

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SERVICES AVAILABLE

• Career Exploration (Advising)
• Career advisors are available to meet with
  students to discuss career-related needs and
  questions.
• Consult with a Career Advisor to Identify your
  interests and strengths understand how your
  interests match educational majors select and
  evaluate educational majors explore career
  opportunities related to your educational major
  evaluate career choices based on national trends
  and forecasts begin developing skills that set
  you apart become aware of internship
  experiences strategically plan your major,
  electives, and activities to support your career
  goals strengthen your ability to launch a
  successful job campaign explore and prepare for
  graduate and professional school opportunities
  and strategically develop résumés and cover
  letters for your career choice.
• What Can I Do With This Major? - A website that
  helps students connect majors with careers. An
  outline of common career areas, typical
  employers, and strategies designed to maximize
  career opportunities is provided for each major.
  Website links that provide related information
  about listed majors and careers are also
  available.

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SERVICES AVAILABLE CONTD.

• Career Resource Library
• A comprehensive collection of books, directories,
  job bulletins, and audio and videotapes is
  available to help students research career
  options and identify potential employers.
• Resources of interest include Business,
  Communication, Computer Science and Engineering,
  Cover Letters and Résumés, Directories, Dress for
  Success, Education, Exploration and Planning,
  Government, Graduate Programs, Great Jobs
  forSeries, Healthcare and Nursing, International
  and Study Abroad, Internships and Summer Jobs,
  Interviewing, JobBank, Liberal Arts, Magazines,
  Mathematics and Sciences, Motivation, Psychology,
  Social Sciences, Technology, Video/CD-Rom, Visual
  and Performing Arts, What Can You Do with a Major
  inSeries, and Workforce Diversity.

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SERVICES AVAILABLE CONTD.

• Job Listing and PatriotJobs (Online database of
  jobs posted through Career Services)
• Full-time professional, part-time, and internship
  employment opportunities are available via
  PatriotJobs and in notebooks located in Career
  Resource Library.
• Students can self-register for PatriotJobs using
  their UT Tyler student ID number as their
  username and creating their own unique password
  to access employment opportunities on a 24-hour
  basis.
• Students can upload and publish résumés via
  PatriotJobs to take advantage of the résumé
  referral service with reputable campus
  departments and off-campus employers.

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SERVICES AVAILABLE CONTD.

• Job Search Assistance
• Services are offered in developing job search
  strategies and techniques cover letter and
  résumé critique and construction interview
  preparation, techniques and follow-up procedures
  negotiation and salary information geographical
  relocation information identification of
  potential employers self-managed credential file
  tutorial for education majors business and
  dining etiquette and professional dress.

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SERVICES AVAILABLE CONTD.

• Special Events
• Career Fairs (Graduate Professional School
  Fair, Fall Job Fair, Nursing Health Sciences
  Career Fair, Summer Job Fair, Engineering
  Computer Science Career Fair, and Education
  Career Fair) Career Success Seminars Mocktail
  Networking Party Senior Etiquette Dinner and
  Dress for Success Student Fashion Show

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SERVICES AVAILABLE CONTD.

• Vault Online Career Library
• A website that includes Downloadable PDF
  versions of 80 Vault Guidebooks and Employer
  Profiles 50 Vault Gold Reports on top employers
  in your area, including company overviews, hiring
  information, and up-to-date surveys 3,500 Vault
  Company Profiles 2,000,000 message postings on
  our Electronic Watercooler message boards 1,000
  Vault Career Advice articles (covering 29 key
  categories) and 1,500 Occupational Surveys 29
  Vault Industry Overviews and 53 Vault
  Occupational Profiles.
• At www.uttyler.edu/careerservices/students,
  access the Vault Online Career Library and The
  University of Texas at Tyler Log-In. Click on
  Get Your Password Now! When prompted enter your
  UT Tyler email address and a password will be
  sent to your UT Tyler email account.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSSPRING 2007

• January 2008
• January 24 (Thursday) Deadline for attendee
  registration and refund due to cancellation for
  the Etiquette Dinner Sophomore-Senior Level
  Students Only! 25.00 per person
• January 31 (Thursday) Etiquette Dinner 25.00
  per person (Must pre-register for event in the
  Office of Career Services!) Hollytree Country
  Club, Hearthside Room 6700 Hollytree Drive,
  Tyler, TX 75703 600 - 630 pm, Attendee
  Arrival/Meet Greet 630 - 800 pm, Dinner and
  Etiquette Presentation Presented by Doris Sharp,
  Director of Tech Prep and Certified Business
  Protocol and Etiquette Trainer Business Dress is
  Required for the Dinner
• April 2008
• April 9 (Wednesday) Education Career Fair 10
  a.m. 12 p.m. Ornelas Activity Center

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EDUCATION CAREER FAIREmployers Registered as of
January 14, 2008

• Aldine ISD - Houston, Texas
• Anna ISD - Anna, Texas
• Como-Pickton CISD - Como, Texas
• Corrigan-Camden ISD - Corrigan, Texas
• Frankston ISD - Frankston, Texas
• Gladewater ISD - Gladewater, Texas
• Greenville ISD - Greenville, Texas
• Kaufman ISD - Kaufman, Texas
• Lindale ISD - Lindale, Texas

• Longview ISD - Longview, Texas
• Mesquite ISD - Mesquite, Texas
• Mineola ISD - Mineola, Texas
• Pittsburg ISD - Pittsburg, Texas
• Region VII Education Service Center - Kilgore,
  Texas
• Region 10 ESC Teacher Job Network - Richardson,
  Texas
• Terrell ISD - Terrell, Texas
• West Rusk CISD New London, Texas

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DOS AND DONTSFOR JOB FAIR SUCCESS

• DONT show up at the event unprepared. Arrive
  within the first hour when all of the exhibitors
  are there, anxious to visit, and animated. If
  you come late in the fair, some of the exhibitors
  you had hoped to see may already be gone.
• DO have a priority list of those you must visit
  and the order in which you will meet them.
  Verify their locations on the map of the fair and
  go to work! Have a fallback list of those you
  will visit if you have time.

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DOS AND DONTSFOR JOB FAIR SUCCESS CONTD.

• DO locate the restrooms. A job fair can be a
  long, tiring experience. If possible, eat
  something before you go.
• DONT stand in a line at an employer for more
  than 10 minutes. Use your plan, move on to the
  next employer, and come back when the line is
  shorter.
• DO be prepared to fill out a school districts
  application.

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DOS AND DONTSFOR JOB FAIR SUCCESS CONTD.

• DONT bring a backpack, large purse, or anything
  that yells student. Come dressed cleanly and
  conservatively and avoid heavy aftershave or
  perfume.
• DO forget the gum!
• DONT ask Do you want to see my portfolio?
• DONT be bashful. A job fair is a great chance
  to see and visit with many districts in one day
  in one place. Take advantage of them. School
  districts wouldnt be there if they didnt need
  teachers!

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SAMPLE TIMELINE OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

• Visit the career center and its website.
• Register for services complete the resume
  database or other requirements.
• Attend workshops or class sessions on job
  hunting.
• Register for any required testing for state
  licensure.
• Begin or update your resume it is a living
  document and will change with each field
  experience and internship you complete.
• Meet with a career advisor to critique your
  resume and plan your job-search strategy.
• Research school districts and geographic
  locations you want to pursue. Most school
  districts have extensive websites with tons of
  information about their schools, communities,
  kids, and curricula.
• Watch for autumn job fairs if you are in a
  shortage area such as special education or
  math/science, you may find that schools are
  interested in interviewing you early.

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SAMPLE TIMELINEJANUARY-FEBRUARY

• Complete October-November-December steps if you
  have not already tackled them!
• Collect letters of reference from previous field
  experiences. Create your own file of references
  and/or lists of people who have agreed to be
  references. Give each reference a copy of your
  updated resume.
• Continue creating your professional portfolio.
• Research dates and places of winter/spring job
  fairs.
• Watch for on-campus interviews and follow the
  procedures to access them.

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SAMPLE TIMELINEMARCH-MAY

• Apply to school systems online or on paper
  follow their procedures.
• Practice interviewing, recording and reviewing
  your mock interview, if the service is offered by
  your career center.
• Schedule and attend interviews.
• Attend job fairs.
• Send follow-up, thank you letters and e-mails
  after interviews.
• Continue a constant communications process with
  all the employers with whom you have interviewed
  or applied. Consistent follow-up is crucial!
• Keep a good log of these communications and
  copies of all your applications.

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SAMPLE TIMELINEJUNE-SEPTEMBER

• By summer or even before May, you might have an
  offer.
• Carefully review an offer and get clarification
  on anything you do not understand.
• Assess the level of fit between you and the
  position.
• If you accept an offer, celebrate! And then
  withdraw from any other serious contenders.
• Quit looking and do not accept other interview
  offers, etc.

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SAMPLE TIMELINEJUNE-SEPTEMBER CONTD.

• If you do not have an offer, then keep repeating
  March-May steps. Summer is a very busy time for
  interviews. Some school districts will try to
  have all their hiring done by then, but others
  will just be getting decisions made.
• Summer and early fall is a giant game of musical
  chairs-as one position is filled, another may
  open. As one person decides to retire, the
  district needs to hire. The process may even
  continue after school begins, as enrollments
  shift requiring more classrooms and teachers.
  Stay in good contact with your career center and
  your preferred school systems to be ready for any
  last-minute opportunities.
• If you do not end up with a full-time contract,
  there may be opportunities for teacher assistant
  positions, or substitute teaching.
• Go back to your career center and work with an
  advisor to try to analyze what did not work and
  what you can do about it. There may be mid-year
  openings for which you can be a top candidate.

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DEFINITIONS

• CREDENTIAL(S) - A credential is a letter of
  recommendation that attests to your professional
  training and experience. Credentials are
  typically expected as a part of the process for
  individuals seeking employment in education
  settings.

• CREDENTIAL FILE - A credential file is a
  collection of those letters, along with a cover
  sheet containing your current address and
  certification information. An academic transcript
  may also be included in the file if desired.

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DEFINITION OF SELF-MANAGED CREDENTIAL FILE

• A self-managed credential file consists of signed
  letters of recommendation that are collected,
  maintained, administered, and sent by you
  directly to prospective employers. Credentials
  are a collection of documents used by employers
  to help them decide which candidates to interview
  or hire.

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PURPOSES OF SELF-MANAGED CREDENTIAL FILES

• They allow you to manage your own file of open
  (non-confidential) letters of recommendation. 
  You control who views your application materials,
  when they view them and what material is sent. 
• They promote ethical standards in the application
  process.  It encourages a dialogue of open and
  honest communication throughout the employment
  process.

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PURPOSES OF SELF-MANAGED CREDENTIAL FILES

• They promote efficient delivery of application
  materials directly from candidates to employers.
  You can create packaged sets of application
  materials that can be customized to each
  position.
• Candidates are able to submit all of the
  requested materials in one envelope. The one
  envelope concept is seen as highly desirable in
  speeding up the candidate selection process.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 101 Cultivate Powerful
Recommendations

• Positive recommendations come from great teaching
  experiences. By employing effective
  communication techniques during your student
  teaching, you maximize your chances of getting
  powerful recommendations that will increase your
  odds of getting the job you want. Here are some
  tips to keep in mind.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 101 SLIDE 1

• Build a solid mentoring relationship with your
  supervising teacher. This person will be
  providing your most important reference or letter
  of recommendation, one that will carry you a
  great deal of weight with potential employers.
• Practice effective communication with your
  cooperating teacher. What does he love most and
  least about teaching? What does she see as the
  biggest challenge to education? How does he
  balance a career with personal life? You
  inquires shoe genuine interest in both a person
  and the field of education.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 101 SLIDE 2

• Get to know as many other teachers at the school
  as you can and be helpful to your (overworked and
  busy!) colleagues. This will help you build a
  network of teaching professionals who can assist
  in your job search. Also, the more people who
  are commenting on your skills and willingness,
  the more information your supervising teacher
  will have for a reference.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 101 SLIDE 3

• Seek feedback early and often. No one expects
  you to be perfect and you need to know what you
  are doing well and where you need to improve.
• When you meet with your university supervisor,
  point out positive feedback you have received.
  If there are negatives, discuss them and what you
  have learned from them.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 101 Cultivate Powerful
Recommendations

• By starting early and laying a solid foundation,
  you will increase your chances of a positive
  student teaching experience and your odds of
  receiving powerful recommendations.

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PROCESS FOR OBTAINING YOUR LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION

• References may provide letters of recommendation
  to the candidate on their organization's
  letterhead. 
• For the writer's convenience, enclose a
  self-addressed, stamped return envelope. 
• After you have received the letter of
  recommendation, it is appropriate to send a thank
  you letter to the writer. 
• It is suggested that you limit the number of
  recommendations to five (5), which is adequate
  for the majority of employers.
• Candidates should retain a copy of original
  letters of recommendation. 

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HOW MATERIALS SHOULD BE SENT

• All application materials should be sent in a 9 x
  12-inch envelope. Address labels should be typed
  in the recommended United States Postal Service
  format using all capital letters and removing all
  punctuation.
• A signed receipt verifies that your credentials
  reached the desired destination for your records.

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER

• KAREN A. GRADUATE
• 3333 Varsity Drive, Apartment 123 ? Tyler, Texas
  75701
• [phone] ? karenagraduate_at_stemail.uttyler.ed
  u
• __________________________________________________
  _____________________________
• January 14, 2008
• Ms. Sharon Roy
• Executive Director of Human Resources
• Tyler Independent School District
• 1319 West Eighth Street
• P.O. Box 2035
• Tyler, Texas 75710
• Dear Ms. Roy
• I will be graduating from the University of Texas
  at Tyler in December and am seeking a position
  teaching kindergarten.

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER

• My education has exposed me to the latest
  development in the teaching profession. (Add
  sentence) It has also given me the opportunity
  to participate in different classroom situations.
  (Add sentence) I plan to continue my
  professional growth in the future by pursuing a
  masters degree in (Add program of interest).
• I feel that my experience in the field of reading
  and as a student teacher, along with my
  education, qualifies me for a position within the
  school district. I will continue to be
  successful in the field of teaching because I
  enjoy challenges, work hard, and am concerned
  with doing the best I can at all times.
• Thank you for your time and consideration. I
  will contact you next week to make sure that you
  received my application and resume and set up a
  time for an interview. If you need to contact me
  before then you can reach me at [phone].
  I look forward to speaking with you soon.
• Sincerely,
• Karen A. Graduate
• Karen A. Graduate
• Enclosure

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SAMPLE RESUME

• KAREN A. GRADUATE
• 3333 Varsity Drive, Apartment 123 ? Tyler, Texas
  75701
• [phone] ? karenagraduate_at_stemail.uttyler.ed
  u
• __________________________________________________
  _________________________________________
• OBJECTIVE
• Teaching position in elementary education in the
  East Texas area
• SUMMARY
• Teacher certification for Elementary Education
• Completed Student Teaching with Tyler Independent
  School District
• Computer Skills Efficient in Microsoft Access,
  Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Magna Cum Laude graduate with Bachelor of Science
  in Interdisciplinary Studies
• EDUCATION
• The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, Texas
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary
  Studies May 2008
• Specialization in Early Childhood Education and
  Reading
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.6 on a
  4.0 scale

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SAMPLE RESUME

• CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
• Tyler Independent School District Tyler, Texas
• Student Teacher, Grades 3 January 2008 May
  2008
• Served as Teacher Assistant for Grades 2 and 3 at
  Jones Elementary School
• Observed effective teaching practices and
  organized lesson plans, homework, and exams
• Whitehouse Independent School District Whitehous
  e, Texas
• Classroom Observer, Grade 2 August 2007
  December 2007
• Observed classroom procedures and taught lessons
• Chapel Hill Independent School District Chapel
  Hill, Texas
• Classroom Observer, Grade 1 January 2007 May
  2007
• Observed classroom procedures and taught lessons
• OTHER EXERPIENCE
• Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Sales Associate,
  Tyler, Texas, August 2006 Present
• MEMBERSHIPS
• Association of Texas Professional Educators

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SAMPLE REFERENCES

• KAREN A. GRADUATE
• 3333 Varsity Drive, Apartment 123 ? Tyler, Texas
  75701
• [phone] ? karenagraduate_at_stemail.uttyler.ed
  u
• __________________________________________________
  ____________________
• REFERENCES (3-5 TOTAL)
• Krista Richardson
• Coordinator of Career Services
• The University of Texas at Tyler
• [phone]
• Name (Bold)
• Title (Italics)
• Company
• Phone Number

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GUIDELINES FOR HARD COPY PORTFOLIOS

• Introduction Page
• Table of Contents
• Your Resume
• Your Official Transcripts
• Your Professional Development Plan
• Your Sample Lessons Plans
• Your Student Teaching/Practicum Experiences
• Your Philosophy of Education
• Photos of you and your lesson plans in
  action!!!

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APPLICATION REMINDERS

• Dont wait too long to apply.
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Complete a draft before you fill out the actual
  application.
• Answer every question fully and dont take
  shortcuts.
• Avoid wordiness in required essays.
• Prepare written materials that are professional
  in appearance.
• Provide all requested supporting documentation by
  the posted closing date.
• Update your applications as necessary.
• Dont hesitate to ask your questions.

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POWER IN THE DETAILSTIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL
INTERVIEWS

• The First Impression Counts
• Practice, Practice, Practice
• Body Language Speaks Louder than Words
• Listen to Questions
• Treat the Human Resources Office Team as Your
  Best Friend
• Follow Up After the Interview

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PROFESSIONAL ATTIREDRESS FOR SUCCESS

• Dressing appropriately is important for
  interviews, for job fairs, and on the job. First
  impressions-often made within the first 15
  seconds-are lasting impressions. Here are a few
  reminders

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PROFESSIONAL ATTIRESLIDE 1

• Thinking conservatively when choosing your
  look-clothing, accessories, hair, and make-up.
  You are entering a field in which you are
  entrusted with the health and well-being of a
  room full of other peoples children.
• If you are not sure, dress up rather than down.
  You will not be faulted for dressing a little too
  nicely, but you will be if you are not dress well
  enough.

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PROFESSIONAL ATTIRESLIDE 2

• Layering is always a good idea. If you wear a
  jacket over a shirt or blouse, you can remove it
  for a more casual look or if you are too warm.
• Before an interview, look at yourself in the
  mirror and ask, Would I hire this person?

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EDUCATION RESOURCES

• 2008 Job Search Handbook for Educators
• Published by the American Association for
  Employment in Education, Inc.
• FREE copy for YOU today!!!
• Texas Association for Employment in Education
  (TAEE)
• List of 2007-08 Teacher Job Fairs in Texas
• www.taeeweb.org

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Office of Career Services
• University Center, Rooms 235/236/241/243
• [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• www.uttyler.edu/careerservices
• Krista Richardson, Coordinator of Career Services
• krichardson_at_mail.uttyl.edu
• Julie Pollard, Employer Relations Specialist
• julie_pollard_at_uttyler.edu
• Crystal Robinson, Employer Relations Specialist
  Intern
• crystal_robinson_at_uttyler.edu