How to Land a Teacher Job

It's been a long time since I landed my first teaching job, but I'm happy to share my story with you all, hoping that it will help some new teachers out there.
I landed my first teaching job by desperation on the part of the principal at the time. It was a Catholic School and she didn't have a Biology teacher. She knew I had the background and asked me to fill in briefly. Four years later, I had my certificate (alternate route), and was the head of the department!
I landed my first teaching job because I possessed certain qualities. I realized quickly that I had the important qualities of being flexible, having a sense of humor, and patience. Not necessarily in that order!
Finding a teaching job can be hard, but here is some advice to make it easier. Make yourself as marketable as possible. Obtain as many certificates as you can. Also, it helps to be able to coach or lead a cocurricular.
This post is part of the Teaching Jobs Portal: “How to land a Teacher Job”. What was your journey like to become a teacher? If you’d like to share your experience with other aspiring teachers please see this post for more information

Helping the Future of Education

I have hope for the future of American Education! Just hearing about this opportunity for my granddaughter's class gives me hope that there are many ways still out there for all of us to help ensure our kids get the educational tools they need. Our teachers need these resources to ensure our kids get the best possible education they can. It also warms my heart that our teachers care so much to want to go out there and do all they can make it happen. Keep up the good work and thank you for all you do.

This post is a part of MAT@USC Hope for the holidays event. Did you experience or witness something in 2009 that gave you hope for the future of American education? If so, please see this post for more information on how to share it.