Become a More Marketable Teacher

Amy Honstein Director of Human Resources, Greeley-Evans Weld County School District 6, Colorado

To improve your marketability as a K-12 teacher candidate, consider the following steps:

Obtain multiple endorsements: ü Math, science, special education, foreign language and CLD(ESL) are all high needs areas ü They allow for more teaching opportunities ü They create flexibility for your assignment once hired, helping with retention

Be open during an interview: ü Ask what you could do to be involved outside of your classroom ü Emphasize your willingness to bring skills such as coaching sports or advising clubs to increase your value

Research employers with whom you apply and interview: ü Know the districts and/or schools where you are applying ü Explain why you want to work there ü Create your opportunity to showcase why they want/need you

Ask questions: ü Reach out to the district and/or school for more information ü Be prepared to ask meaningful questions at the end of your interview (not about salary or benefits); if you can’t think of any questions, showcase your talent by talking about something they may not have asked about in the interview or something you wanted to spend a little more time on ü If you do not get the position, ask for their feedback on your interview to learn where there are opportunities for improvement.

Applying out of state: ü Be in the process of getting that out-of-state license ü Do research on if, or how, your license will transfer ü Network through professional associations or alumni connections

Keep growing as an educator: ü Inquire about additional education ü Pursue opportunities for professional development