Newbie thoughts on London Fair
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:51 am
This is the first time I've had the opportunity to sit down and reflect on the weekend. Day four and it's a lot of sitting around and waiting or listening to happy people make decisions.
Day 1 - Got off the plane and had to go straight to the fair from the States. I was a bit disoriented and overwhelmed walking in, but glad it was a relatively easy day. I attended only a couple of sessions as I teach science and there weren't many openings this year. From what I gathered this was for all positions across the board. I went to a Tier 1 SEA school where the director knew my name when I walked in. It wasn't a school I had considered and is probably far out of my league, but it was a great confidence boost. After being so exhausted I didn't want to tend a huge amount of sessions. Instead, I chose to turn in resumes and my Ichiro to the mailboxes of the schools I had a strong interest in.
Day 2 - Jet lag killed me and 8 am came way too early. I didn't find long lines at any of the schools and everyone was willing to interview. A small WE school who expressed interest in me prior to the fair decided they didn't like my no IB experience and was the only school to outright refuse an interview. Otherwise, I was able to schedule them all in one day. I figured this would get all of the initial interviews out of the way and then I could leave the rest of the fair to follow ups or seeing friends. This was my smartest move.
I would say all of the meetings went well. One practically offered me the job, but said they could not promise anything until they had an official resignation from the current teacher. I had a long lull and then four in pretty fast succession. One school who seemed keen offered a job to the previous candidate, which I could easily hear through the open door. Yet she still interviewed me, but it was very half hearted. I felt like it would have been better to be more upfront about the current state. The others went well, but no promises of second interviews. My final interview is the last I'm waiting to hear about. Its a smaller WE school. In my haze of jet lag I forgot to send my digital portfolio to her yesterday. There was a mention of a Skype interview. At the moment, this is probably my top choice.
Day 3 - Slept in finally. I had two rejections via email and in my mailbox, but it was to be expected. I was not nearly as qualified as the rest of the people applying nor do I think they would have been the best fit. This was a great day to meet other teachers and discuss jobs and schools. I actually met someone leaving a really great position and he said he would put in a word for me. All weekend we discussed jobs and told each other of openings. I was really surprised with the number of candidates for my positions. And some really well rounded ones that were snapped right up.
Day 4 - Last day and the mood is either jubilant or a bit deflated. Many teachers I've heard had multiple offers at great schools, but there are many of us who still haven't heard back. At this point as a relative newbie, I think no news is good news. I know others who were outright rejected for both positions I'm waiting to hear back from. I also chose today to work on my digital portfolio.
Pros - Had the opportunity to interview schools and meet directors/principals/head of depts that will be good to have for later. Putting a personality to a piece of paper is vital when you're experience doesn't seem to compare to others'.
Being in London. I got to catch up with old friends.
Having others critique and give advice in person.
Connections with current teachers and hearing about other schools with a perspective that can't be gained online.
The ichiro - everyone seemed to really like it. Mine was notecard sized with a few bullet points and a couple of cute pictures. I think it helped me stand out.
Cons -
Was told not to have a digital portfolio and then in my last interview it was requested. I had to throw something together and it's not quite up to the standard that I would want it to be at. I wish it had been stressed to have one, especially for new teachers.
The weather haha
Very competitive fair. A lot of people are walking away today disappointed.
I would definitely go to another fair. I came in with no expectations considering my experience and I think that was the best attitude to have. Everyone has assured me that there are more positions that will open in the spring. I really just looked at it as an opportunity to maybe get a job and figure out the climate of IE.
Day 1 - Got off the plane and had to go straight to the fair from the States. I was a bit disoriented and overwhelmed walking in, but glad it was a relatively easy day. I attended only a couple of sessions as I teach science and there weren't many openings this year. From what I gathered this was for all positions across the board. I went to a Tier 1 SEA school where the director knew my name when I walked in. It wasn't a school I had considered and is probably far out of my league, but it was a great confidence boost. After being so exhausted I didn't want to tend a huge amount of sessions. Instead, I chose to turn in resumes and my Ichiro to the mailboxes of the schools I had a strong interest in.
Day 2 - Jet lag killed me and 8 am came way too early. I didn't find long lines at any of the schools and everyone was willing to interview. A small WE school who expressed interest in me prior to the fair decided they didn't like my no IB experience and was the only school to outright refuse an interview. Otherwise, I was able to schedule them all in one day. I figured this would get all of the initial interviews out of the way and then I could leave the rest of the fair to follow ups or seeing friends. This was my smartest move.
I would say all of the meetings went well. One practically offered me the job, but said they could not promise anything until they had an official resignation from the current teacher. I had a long lull and then four in pretty fast succession. One school who seemed keen offered a job to the previous candidate, which I could easily hear through the open door. Yet she still interviewed me, but it was very half hearted. I felt like it would have been better to be more upfront about the current state. The others went well, but no promises of second interviews. My final interview is the last I'm waiting to hear about. Its a smaller WE school. In my haze of jet lag I forgot to send my digital portfolio to her yesterday. There was a mention of a Skype interview. At the moment, this is probably my top choice.
Day 3 - Slept in finally. I had two rejections via email and in my mailbox, but it was to be expected. I was not nearly as qualified as the rest of the people applying nor do I think they would have been the best fit. This was a great day to meet other teachers and discuss jobs and schools. I actually met someone leaving a really great position and he said he would put in a word for me. All weekend we discussed jobs and told each other of openings. I was really surprised with the number of candidates for my positions. And some really well rounded ones that were snapped right up.
Day 4 - Last day and the mood is either jubilant or a bit deflated. Many teachers I've heard had multiple offers at great schools, but there are many of us who still haven't heard back. At this point as a relative newbie, I think no news is good news. I know others who were outright rejected for both positions I'm waiting to hear back from. I also chose today to work on my digital portfolio.
Pros - Had the opportunity to interview schools and meet directors/principals/head of depts that will be good to have for later. Putting a personality to a piece of paper is vital when you're experience doesn't seem to compare to others'.
Being in London. I got to catch up with old friends.
Having others critique and give advice in person.
Connections with current teachers and hearing about other schools with a perspective that can't be gained online.
The ichiro - everyone seemed to really like it. Mine was notecard sized with a few bullet points and a couple of cute pictures. I think it helped me stand out.
Cons -
Was told not to have a digital portfolio and then in my last interview it was requested. I had to throw something together and it's not quite up to the standard that I would want it to be at. I wish it had been stressed to have one, especially for new teachers.
The weather haha
Very competitive fair. A lot of people are walking away today disappointed.
I would definitely go to another fair. I came in with no expectations considering my experience and I think that was the best attitude to have. Everyone has assured me that there are more positions that will open in the spring. I really just looked at it as an opportunity to maybe get a job and figure out the climate of IE.