Networking and Social Media
Be Your Authentic Self
This Is Where the Story Begins
Merete Geohagen Senior Teacher Recruitment Manager, New York City Department of Education
Shannon Hagan Staff Management Team Leader/Lead Recruiter, Harford County Public Schools, Maryland
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'm often asked by teacher candidates, “How can I stand out from the rest of the crowd?” Honestly, the answer is not going to be shocking, but it is very true. Be yourself. Be your inimitable self. There truly is no one else like you. Your uniqueness is what you are selling to principals and hiring managers. You have to be able to explain why you would be an incredible fit for their school. Your interests, your passion, the things that drive you is what will get you through the tough (and sometimes arduous) days of teaching. So, trying to “fake the funk” will not only be disingenuous, it will harm you in the long run. Now, you’re probably thinking that sounds great, but how do I actually sell my authenticity and uniqueness? Well, lucky for you I have three impactful tips to help sell your unique self. See below:
TIP 1: Know Your Why Like You Know Your Angles It is extremely important for you to be clear about why you are teaching. Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the world, but if you aren’t clear on why you want to be a teacher, hiring managers will not be clear on why they need you. Knowing your why helps you connect with students. It helps students connect with you. It’s the reason you are even interviewing! Make sure you are clear on what brought you into teaching and be authentic. Maybe it’s because you started tutoring and the “ah ha” student moments you saw were the exact moments you knew you wanted to be a teacher. Maybe you have come from a long line of teachers, and you knew at a young age that this was your destiny. Whatever it is, communicate that clearly to the hiring manager. If you aren’t clear on your why, take some time to reflect before you interview.
TIP 2: Define Who You Are This is the time to share your interests, hobbies, and passions. Do you love knitting? Are you a former athlete? Are you passionate about social justice? Make sure the hiring manager knows these things about you. You can share this either on your resume under an “Activities & Interests” section or weave them into answers during your interview. Whichever way you choose, make sure you share it. Because chances are, if you like them, students will too.
TIP 3: Be Honest and Genuine As long as you are honest and truly genuine about who you are, you will find what’s right for you. If a school is close to your home, but it has a music and arts focus, and you love science and math—chances are that’s not the right fit for you. Ultimately, what is for you is for you and being honest and sincere will help you get the accurate fit. In the end, as long as you are honest with the hiring manager and yourself you will find the right fit for you. Focus not only on being prepared for a teaching opportunity through your content area, your engaging mock lesson, but to also tell the hiring manager who you are, and why they need you in their school. 42 American Association for Employment in Education
ne of my favorite high school teachers was my geography teacher, Mr. Walker. Although Geography was far from my favorite subject, Mr. Walker had a way of telling stories that made me want to learn. I can no longer recall the specific details of his stories, and I cannot readily point to the places we studied on a map, I remember my teacher, Mr. Walker, because of the power of his stories. The education field is challenging, and it is important to find the right place for your story to begin. As a job seeker, an employer’s story should be important to you. What story did the district’s recruiters tell you when you met them? Does the story they shared match the story you see when you visit the district’s social media accounts and school websites? What stories are being told? Are there common themes? Who and what are do you see in their photographs? Can you see yourself as part of their story? Is this a place where you want to write the first chapter of your teaching career? School districts want to know your story as well. When you meet with recruiters at a job fair, share something memorable about yourself. Help the recruiter envision what you offer students that is unique and unlike any other candidate. Job fairs are excellent places to perfect your professional story. Each table provides a new audience and a new opportunity for your story to evolve and your delivery to become more confident. Professional social media accounts are another way to share your story with employers. Encourage potential employers to follow your story by mentioning and tagging them in your posts. Help them see your work in your classroom through the digital story your social media posts create. At its core, teaching is rooted in relationships, and nothing builds genuine connections with students faster than learning their stories and sharing your own. Challenge yourself to be your students’ Mr. Walker, and you too will make a lifelong impact that far outweighs the content you teach.
Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops. - Henry Brooks Adams -
