Characteristics of a Wanted Teacher: What Schools Are Looking For
When a school searches for a new teacher for an open teaching position, they already have an image of the teacher they want. Each school has certain qualities that they believe a teacher must have in order to be successful. Those qualities can be many things depending on the needs and location of the school. While the qualities that each school considers important may vary, there are generally shared qualities that all schools would consider important for the job.
A teacher’s experience or background is the most important quality a school looks for, so your resume should highlight the qualities you’re looking for. If you are looking for an ESL TEFL TESOL teacher for kindergarten students, it may be best to highlight lessons that contain activities you have initiated and prepared at your previous schools regarding language acquisition. Also, if you are seeking a position for a content subject such as science or math, please highlight your knowledge and education (ie degree) in that area. This is especially important if you are a new teacher with little or no experience. However, you should also have all of your academic grades available for the school to see before you go in for an interview. Most schools want to review grades before hiring or considering applicants for a teaching position and sometimes overlook teachers who do not submit these items for review when applying. This is especially true of TESL TEFL TESOL training, which is a requirement for obtaining a visa and work permit in most countries, regardless of the subject taught. Every school is unique, so it would be best to have a cover letter that talks about that school and the teaching job they are looking to fill. Don’t just have a cover letter and teacher resume that you mass mail to any potential school looking for a teacher in hopes of getting a job. It can be beneficial to have a list of professional highlights that you can copy and paste into a cover letter based on the requirements of the position.
Another important consideration for schools is the personal qualities of a teacher. Most schools are looking for a long-term commitment from a teacher, so they want to make sure the teacher is a good fit for their school. The obvious qualities that come to mind are personable, positive, and flexible/patient because these qualities will carry over into the classroom and interaction with your future students. Also, the school will look at the qualities of a teacher with regards to their professionalism because there is so much that is required outside of the classroom, such as preparing lessons, creating worksheets and tests, and the ever-popular homework grading. In other words, they will want an organized and committed teacher. If they feel the teacher cannot be depended on, they may not consider you a viable candidate. One of the things that can highlight a teacher’s lack of commitment is a resume that shows numerous teaching positions in a short period of time. Remember that you will not be judged strictly by your qualifications, but by the sum of who you are as an individual.
The factors that go into a school’s decision to accept a teacher are varied and many, making it impossible to cover them all. Regardless, cover the basics that are looked for in any teacher for any teaching job, and then identify the unique characteristics or qualifications of particular teaching jobs. Remember that looking for a teaching job, like many other job searches, is about selling yourself and the best way to do that is by identifying what the employer (ie the school) wants.
The following is an abbreviated list of characteristics posted by one teacher in response to a UNICEF request on “What makes a good teacher?”:
Positive – Think positively and enthusiastically about people and what they are capable of becoming. He sees the good in any situation and is able to move forward to make the most of difficult situations when faced with obstacles. Encourage others to be positive too.
Dependent – Honest and genuine in working with others. Consistently lives up to commitments to students and others. Work with them openly, honestly and directly.
Organized – Makes efficient use of time and moves in a planned and systematic direction. He knows where he is going and is able to help students with their own organization and planning. You can think in terms of how the organization can be beneficial to those it serves.
Engaged – Demonstrates commitment to students and the profession and is self-confident, serene and in personal control of situations. He has a healthy self-image. Encourages students to view themselves in a positive light, taking care to honor students’ self-respect, while encouraging them to develop a positive self-concept.
Motivational – Enthusiastic about standards and expectations for students and himself. Understands the intrinsic motivations of individuals and knows what motivates students. Take action constructively.
compassionate – Affectionate, empathetic and able to respond to people on an emotional level. Open with personal thoughts and feelings, encouraging others to do the same. Knows and understands students’ feelings.
Flexible – Willing to alter plans and directions in a way that helps people move towards their goals. Seeks to reason through situations with students and staff in a way that allows all people to move in a positive direction.
Expert – Is in a constant search for knowledge. You stay current in your areas of expertise and have the acumen to integrate new knowledge. It takes the knowledge and translates it to the students in a way that is understandable to them, but retains its originality.
Creative – Versatile, innovative and open to new ideas. It strives to incorporate techniques and activities that allow students to have unique and meaningful new growth experiences.
Patient – Is deliberate in reaching conclusions. He strives to analyze all aspects of the situation and remains very fair and objective in the most difficult circumstances. He believes that problems can be solved if the affected people provide enough information and care.
You can also practice answering typical teacher interview questions like those found on the following sites:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute: career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/TEACHER.htm
Resumes for Teachers: resumes-for-teachers.com/interview-questions.htm
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