Lynne Sanders’s Advice to New Teachers Seeking Jobs
Principals are looking for these traits:
 Hard-working
 Well-organized
 Energetic
 Collaborative
 Bright
 Curious
 Flexible
 Empathetic
In addition, teachers must love kids, but that alone is not enough.
Personality and willingness to learn are more important than content knowledge. You
must ask good questions and relate well to others. You must be a good role model.
Writing skills are important: teachers model proper written and oral communication, and
parents judge you on how you write notes home, etc. They also judge you on how you
greet them and how much you know about their children.
Her tips for preparing employment documents:
RESUME – In your objective, state the grade level, the content area, and your
willingness to work with specific extra-curricular activities.
--When describing your work experience, don’t just say ”taught
reading,” say “Taught reading as part of a language-based language arts program with an
emphasis on basic skills and the integration of reading and writing.”
-- List your technology skills
-- Include the web address for your student teaching classroom website
-- Show your broad life experience, not just your teaching experience
-- If your resume is two pages long, print it front and back
REFERENCESOn your summer job, ask your boss for a letter of reference while you are still
working there; you will be much more likely to get a response when you are still right
there in front of him/her every day! Also he/she will include more specific details as you
are a current, rather than past, employee.
The letter should discuss you character, integrity, work ethic, and reliability, as
these are the characteristics districts are seeking in their employees.
Get as many signed copies as possible to keep in your credential file.
COVER LETTERThe state of PA has a list of who will actually graduate. Give your certification
status, and if you are applying to another state, tell the reader that you are applying for
that state’s certification. Phone the district office and ask, “What is your process for
accepting applications?” Write down the answers! Make sure you follow the
instructions. Find out when they are accepting and if there is a cut off date. Ask if they
accept applications for positions that haven’t been advertised.
Arrange your letter as follows:
First paragraph
 Specific position and grade level
 Where you found out about the job
 Certifications and PRAXIS
 Currently in area or moving here?
Second paragraph
 Explanation of why you are interested in this particular position
 Evidence of the district’s philosophy and strategic plan
 Specific related work experience and talents (music, dance, drama, art, languages)
 Student teaching specifics that relate to the job requirements (“Student teaching in
a non-textbook district…”)
Closing paragraph
 Contact information (telephone and email)
 Say you will call in two weeks to see if your materials have arrived and to ask if
any additional material is needed
What she looks for:
Lynne said that in SCASD, every application is read by a principal. She first looks at the
letters of recommendation to get a general picture of the applicant. Then she reads the
essay that is a standard part of the PA application. This essay is VERY important as it
makes you stand out from other applicants. Another writing sample is written at the
interview. Theses samples should be very thoughtful and correct. (Common errors that
reflect badly on you are possessives, pronoun agreement, and verb tense agreement.)
Interview tips:
View the interview as “a professional conversation.” There are no “wrong” answers.
Believe in yourself and talk from your heart.
Eye contact is very important as teachers need good eye contact to have good classroom
control.
Look professional: well groomed, modestly dressed (dress with a jacket or pants suit for
women, sport coat/ tie for men, shoes polished), good posture. Men should have no
piercings. Women should have only one set of earrings in and no additional visible
piercings. No one should have visible tattoos. Smell clean, but don’t overdo after shave
and perfume.
Shake hands, smile, look the person in the eye, and greet him/her by name.
Research the district and think about answers to possible questions before you go to the
interview.
Be on time and remember that you are being watched and evaluated even when you are
waiting, so be friendly and professional to everyone there.
Be confident, but not smug and know-it-all. Avoid answering questions with an upward
inflection.