1 minute read
This Is Where the Story Begins
Shannon Hagan Staff Management Team Leader/Lead Recruiter, Harford County Public Schools, Maryland
One 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.
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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.
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