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Post by wildcat on Jul 24, 2007 20:43:56 GMT -6
Fellas -
On Friday, I have an interview for a Middle School Language Arts teaching position at the school where I am coaching. I really want this position but I have some issues. First, I have never taught Language Arts (I am certified to teach it but have been a Driver's Ed and Social Studies teacher for all of my career). Second, I am concerned that my salary might be an issue (I have eight years of service and a Master's Degree). Third, I have taught in a very small, lily-white, middle class rural district since 2001 (less than 250 kids in the high school) and the job I am interviewing for is at a big, urban school (1400 kids in the high school) that is socioeconomically and racially diverse.
What can I do to put a positive spin on those three issues? As far as the salary concern goes, I would like to tell them that I am willing to give up some years of experience (ie; take a paycut) without having to drop my pants, bend over, and grab my ankles.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
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Post by phantom on Jul 24, 2007 21:06:57 GMT -6
Don't give up any money unless they ask.
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Post by larrymoe on Jul 24, 2007 21:19:38 GMT -6
I don't know that I'd volunteer the pay cut info in the interview. Just make it clear to them you are looking for new challenges (courses, kids, setting) and you want to do everything in one place (coach and teach).
Good luck coach.
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Post by dacoachmo on Jul 24, 2007 21:21:31 GMT -6
1) MALE coach in the middle school is ALWAYS a positive
2) if you have to take a pay cut either years or Masters, NOT both...
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Post by airman on Jul 25, 2007 8:41:50 GMT -6
i think you have positives working for you already. you are at the school distict coaching, you are a male english teacher which could be used to teach boys to read, meaning it is okay to read as mr foley does, discipline from a male at a middle school is good. ususally most schools have a numbers of years they are willing to give. my district it was 7 years they would give and then anything over that was 1 for 2 years. so if you taught 11 years, they woudl give you the first 7 and then 2 more years for the 4 you worked beyond 7. unless you were a big head coach coming in, then they found all your years for you.
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Post by groundchuck on Jul 25, 2007 8:48:24 GMT -6
Wildcat--lots of postives there. I think those things will work for you. If I remember right you grew up in a district that is even larger than the one you are applying it (though maybe not more diverse). I think a male English teaching in the MS would be a very postive thing.
Good luck.
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Post by wildcat on Jul 25, 2007 9:32:09 GMT -6
Thanks, fellas...all good advice. I appreciate it and will keep you guys posted!
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Post by fbdoc on Jul 25, 2007 14:24:27 GMT -6
All good advice. Public schools generally have a District pay scale so if they are interviewing you they must be factoring in your degree and experience (language arts or not!). When/if the subject comes up, simply state the obvious - you have a Masters and 8 years as PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR and you are excited and proud to have an opportunity to join their team. IF they want to talk about cutting your pay or years, ask them if they would be willing to cut back on your teaching load as well? Instead of teaching 5 classes you would only teach 4. Remember, almost everything is negotiable. Go get em'.
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Post by gridironman on Jul 26, 2007 13:44:41 GMT -6
Fbdoc, nice insight on cutting the work load. Wildcat, apply the good advice that was given here, and most importantly....go with your heart. Be firm in what you believe and listen to your innervoice.
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Post by larrymoe on Jul 27, 2007 0:24:04 GMT -6
Again, good luck today coach.
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Post by bulldogoption on Jul 27, 2007 6:14:52 GMT -6
Salary issues probably won't (shouldn't) come up in a general interview with everyone there. Those issues come later when you and the principal/supt are sitting down privately. That is in my experience. Don't dwell on the salary issues. If you sell them that you want the position and they want you it will work out.
Kids are kids, parents can be all over the place.
Best of luck to you coach!!!!!!
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Post by larrymoe on Jul 28, 2007 23:23:26 GMT -6
Any word coach?
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Post by wildcat on Jul 29, 2007 5:57:52 GMT -6
Went well. Principal, assistant principal, and three female teachers made up the interview team. Very few questions about salary and teaching language arts. Biggest concern was clearly classroom management and discipline. I probably had 4-5 specific questions about that. Seems like the guy who had the job before me really got ran over by the kids. I think that I made big points by talking about building realtionships with kids and parents by attending school events and by talking about the importance of teachers coaching sports and directing student activities in the school where they work. Also, the simple fact that I am a big guy probably helped me out quite a bit. They said they want to have a decision made by Tuesday and bring it to the board Wednesday evening. Out of my hands now but I feel really good about the way it went. Not one of those interviews where I walked out saying "darn...should have said this instead of that". I'll let you guys know when I find out next week. Thing is, this would be the perfect ending to a great summer. 6 months ago, I didn't even know if I would be coaching this fall and to now be in a position where I am the OC at a 5A school and might be teaching in that same district...well, let's say that I really landed on my feet!  |
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Post by fbdoc on Jul 29, 2007 10:57:20 GMT -6
Having been on both sides of the interview table, if the topic of classroom management came up and you impressed them, I would say that says it all. Best of luck to you coach!
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Post by wildcat on Aug 1, 2007 9:19:43 GMT -6
Fellas -
Found out this morning that I got the gig...thanks to everyone who offered advice.
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Post by bulldogoption on Aug 1, 2007 9:28:25 GMT -6
Congrats and good luck  ;D |
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Post by larrymoe on Aug 1, 2007 10:00:47 GMT -6
Congrats coach!
Hope you enjoy your time in Pretzel land.
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Post by wildcat on Aug 1, 2007 10:08:30 GMT -6
Congrats coach! Hope you enjoy your time in Pretzel land. larrymoe - I have already been enjoying it! It is a great place to be. Still have to sign the contract. Won't be able to do that until next week and the principal at my current school wasn't really happy when I told him that I won't hand in my resignation until at least August 8th, but this move is right for my family and I have to take care of myself. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2007 16:43:25 GMT -6
Amen to that, coach, and good luck with the new job. I absolutely hated my junior high experience, so if you need any advice on what NOT to do, I should be able to help!!
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Post by larrymoe on Aug 1, 2007 21:28:23 GMT -6
wolverine- Did you find anything for this year?
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Post by khalfie on Aug 2, 2007 13:48:19 GMT -6
Congratulations Cat...
Did you still bend over and grab your ankles?
I mean... just for old times sake? ;D
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Post by wildcat on Aug 2, 2007 14:09:58 GMT -6
Congratulations Cat... Did you still bend over and grab your ankles? I mean... just for old times sake? ;D Fenster - "Man...I had a finger up my a$$hole tonight." Hockney - "Is it Friday already?" ;D |
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;D