SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

How To Find A Teaching JobIn BC Schools

BC Education Overview

• 60 public school employers• 33,000 unionized educators• Teachers certified by TRB• 130+ independent First Nations

Schools• Schools hire year-round

Employment Outlook for Primary & Secondary Teachers

Sources: http://www.workbc.ca/Navigator/occupations/4142 | http://www.workbc.ca/Navigator/occupations/4141

• 28,300 new jobs (2010-20)• 81% from replacement• 19% from expansion

Where are the jobs?

Sources:http://www.workbc.ca/Navigator/occupations/4142 | http://www.workbc.ca/Navigator/occupations/4141

• Jobs are in pop. dense regions• Jobs are in areas with growing

communities• Jobs in areas with aging workforce• Jobs in regions with most kids

What types of jobs are posted?

Source: Makeafuture.ca

Potential Career Paths

Superintendent Deputy Superintendent

Assistant Superintendent

Director of Instruction

District Principal

Principal/Vice Principal

Psychologist Counsellor Librarian

July

Augus

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Sept

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Octob

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Novem

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Decem

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Janu

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Febr

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Mar

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June

# Job P

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When are jobs posted?

Source: Makeafuture.ca

Salary and Benefits• Extended health and dental• Life insurance, pension, long-term disability• Professional development• Professional mentoring• Generous vacation & sick leave• Rural & remote allowances

More about benefits & salaries• www.makeafuture.ca

– Career Resources Salary Finder• www.bcpsea.bc.ca

– Teachers -> Teacher Collective Agreement• www.bcpseabenefits.ca

Applying for Jobs

What can I teach?• Depends on…

what subjects have you taughtwhat grade levels you’ve worked withwhat undergraduate courses you completedwhat specific training you’ve receivedwhat languages you’re fluent in

Application Checklist Gather Your Documents:

Resume and cover letter Practicum evaluation reports References (min. 2-3) Academic transcripts TQS card and BC teaching certificate

Application Checklist Apply for a BC teaching certificate (TRB) Apply for a TQS card

Set-up an application on Makeafuture.ca Set-up Job alerts Follow @MakeaFuture & Like Make a Future

Search and apply for jobs on Makeafuture.ca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE-NQAu_qRU&feature=player_embedded

Writing Resumes

Write Targeted Cover Letters

• Tailor the letter to your audience • Personalize it with concrete examples • Explain “why you’re the best candidate?”• Use action verbs to describe your work

experience (e.g. Collaborated; Coordinated; Planned; Evaluated; Assessed)

• Spell Check and Proof Read!

Ask For A Good ReferenceGet references from those

who’ve observed you teach• Ask for a reference letter • Give your references a

heads-up

Searching & Applying for Jobs on Makeafuture.ca

Job Application Tips

Research employersDo not address your cover letter “To Whom

It May Concern”

Don’t apply for every single jobFollow job application directionsIt’s all about timingSign-up for job alerts!

Interviewing for the Job

Interviews compare a candidate’s skills and qualifications to selection criteria

What is HR looking for?1. Subject Matter Knowledge2. Planning Skills3. Instructional Skills4. Assessment Strategies5. Classroom Management Skills6. Development as a Professional Educator

Interview QuestionsOpen-ended questions• Tell me about yourself• What is your teaching

philosophy?• Why do you want to work

for our district?• What books are you reading

right now?

Interview QuestionsBehavioural-based questions• Can you describe a unit or

lesson that you created that allowed for the participation of all learners?

What behavioural questions to expect

How do you plan your units? Tell a story and consider:

What resources did you consult? Did you ask for help? Did you look at the composition of

your class?

What’s important is that: You were thoughtful in preparing

your units while consulting a variety of resources and considering your student composition

How do you plan your units?

How do you teach in the classroom? Tell a story and consider:

What strategies have you used for instruction?

How did you present the material? How did you engage learners?

How do you teach in the classroom?

What’s important is that: You demonstrated the use of diverse

strategies to reach all learners in the classroom

How do you assess & evaluate students? Tell a story and consider:

What are the different methods you used to evaluate and assess student outcomes?

What did you do with that information?

What’s important is that: You utilized a variety of assessment

strategies You utilized the results of the assessments

to facilitate student learning

How do you assess & evaluate students?

How do you manage your class? Tell a story and consider:

What was the worse scenario that you encountered and how did you deal with it?

What’s important is that: You demonstrated and employed a variety

tactics when dealing with classroom issues

You are able to create a climate and environment conducive to learning

How do you manage your class?

Tell a story and consider: How have you demonstrated

professional responsibility inside and outside of the classroom?

Are you a reflective practitioner?

How are you growing as a professional educator?

What’s important is that: You demonstrated a collaborative

approach to sharing your knowledge and helping the educational community as a whole

How are you growing as a professional educator?

Interviewing TipsTake inventory of your best

lessons & accomplishmentsUse a portfolioFrame answers with STARPractice, practice, practice

Job Search Resources• Resumes & Digital

Portfolios LinkedIn.com CVmkr.com VisualCV.com Pathbrite.com

• Interviews & Cover Letters Quintcareers.com

• Job Search Huntsy.com

• Pro D Teacher Mentorship BC Pita.ca

Now What?• Decide where to work• Find out who hires at the

district• Sign-up for job alerts• Like/Follow MAF • Clean-up your social

media footprint• Create an online portfolio

Stay in touch www.makeafuture.ca contactus@makeafuture.ca www.twitter.com/makeafuture www.facebook.com/makeafuture www.makeafuture.ca/subscribe