Four days a week at one school

I am so excited as I have been offered a regular four days a week at one school, starting at the beginning of next term. Yay!!!! It is a really nice place to work. No more day to day casual for now. Relief :) Will now be able to save up for more of this....Travel!!!!!

Busy, busy, busy

Well it seems I have been too busy to blog lately, which is great as I have been working non-stop. I have secured two days per week on-going at a lovely school not too far away. I am really happy to know what I am doing at least two days each week! The positive side of casual work is that you can pick up many interesting teaching ideas. It really can be a window of opportunity so I am making the most of it and keeping a record of what can work really well....and not so well!!!!! Going to different parts of the city north of the harbour has also given me some interesting places to shop on the way home :)
Love this idea which is one of mine. Looking at Australian environments from an aerial perspective, students combine photographic images with mixed media in their collaborative artwork. I used decorated papers (with pastel and dye), straw, wool and pipe cleaners. This work is from Kindergarten!

Busy two weeks coming up

Seems I have only one day in the next two weeks not booked! This week is my birthday so am happy I am apparently popular! Go Jen :)

Friday calls

Feeling very popular..four schools called this morning so off to first call! Also furthest away but happy to go. Packed an interesting lunch called grab from the cupboard, fridge & fruit bowl :)

New school

Off to a new school today. First day nerves? Nah!!!

Working all week

This week was a busy one...I worked all week!!! Four days at one school and one day at another. You actually pick up some great ideas casual teaching and will take note of ideas that work really well. This is a set of laminated images of Australian flora and fauna, great for any age group to inspire fabulous drawing. I picked up a great book with images at a garage sale for $2.00 !!

Days here and there

Work is picking up. Two days this week and so far three next week. Happy about that!! Enjoying meeting new people and even got to spend the day at a swimming carnival!

A new day is dawning!!!! (well actually this is sunset at Trial Bay....but am sure sunrise is just as beautiful)

My current research

Three more applications submitted this week so fingers crossed! There are a number of growing schools about 1/2 hour west from where I live in suburban/semi-rural areas. Today I thought I might go for a drive out there to get a feel for the area and whether I would like to teach in that location. Public transport is definitely not an option! One AP position in particular I am interested in as the principal seems to be very innovative.
I will also continue with my current research project which will help me in my successful job hunt. I am looking at very practical applications for primary teachers to promote the development of 21st Century learning skills in their programs. Specifically developing tools for collaborative learning (classroom blogs, social network, wikis), ideas to promote technical information and media fluencies and a focus on using problem solving as a teaching tool of choice. I am also researching the best practices for an interdisciplinary and project based approach to learning and how to focus on the thinking skills of understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating and creating. To teach using 21st Century learning skills, teachers must be student centric, continue to differentiate the curriculum and make use of higher order thinking skills. The term "innovation" is all the buzz, but I have been innovative my entire teaching career!

The phone rings

Sending my CV far and wide seems to be working! My phone has starting ringing and schools are booking me for a day here and there. So far I have taught a day at a school 3 minutes away, which was unbelievably convenient. Have another day at a school 10 minutes away and a large school closer to the city called me for a number of days also. I had a great day teaching Year 6 and the spelling and maths came flooding back! Haven't taught Year 6 mainstream in a while. Sent in 3 more applications last week, one for education officer at a large library. See how we go. But in the meantime, when not working...there is always a walk and swim at the beach! Always on the lookout for art in the environment. This knitted pillar was at Dee Why.

Networking

After sending over 120 school principals my CV, a number asked me to pop in for a chat. I have followed up with every request. Today I met a local principal who kindly gave up his time, introduced me to his deputy and organised a tour of his lovely school. I was most impressed!
This afternoon I worked on my next application in-between running around collecting the car from the garage, basketball game etc...etc....
When you apply for a job with the DEC, if unsuccessful, you are encouraged to call the panel convenor to ask for feedback. In December one position in a school I applied for (actually two) had never told me I was unsuccessful. So this afternoon I called the deputy from one school for feedback which will hopefully assist me in my future applications. She promised to call me back once she had again looked at and considered my application.
Next week will be a great week I am sure! I am feeling confident. Hey...a double rainbow!

Keep up the momentum

Today is Thursday and I took my son to sit his driving licence test and he passed! After dropping him at school I continued on for an interview at a lovely independent girls' school about 20 minutes from where I live. After sending my CV I was asked to go and chat with the Primary School deputy about casual teaching. All went well and I filled out many essential forms. Why not continue on to Dee Why? So I did for a surf and swim in the pool. SO GOOD!!!! I also made contact with a principal of a Catholic School looking for a Creative Arts teacher one day a week. Sounds like a plan! A few more classroom positions have come up on jobs@det so I well get going on those which are due next Wednesday. Three are for the same school, one as Assistant Principal and two as classroom teachers. Will try to WOW!!!!

The good life

Went down to Dee Why beach today after completing and lodging my latest job application which was just SO nice. Despite a sprinkle of rain on the way down, it was clear and sunny by the coast. Swam 10 laps of the pool, 1/2 km, which I was pleased about, then a quick lunch at a cafe and long walk along the beach and back. It really is good for the soul and gives me an incentive and reward for getting those applications done! Was offered two days work today at a growing school about 1/2 hour west which was encouraging.

Search continues

Looking for work is a full time job! I found out that any teacher employed by the DEC needs  anaphylaxes and e-emegency certificates. So I did the courses on line and have that sorted. Yesterday I caught up with a principal I knew and had a tour of his school and a chat about employment possibilities then visited a few more schools to leave my details. On Thursday I have a meeting with the deputy at a local girls independent school who want me to work casually there, so need to take in all my details. I have also been busy finalising my current job application which is due tomorrow and will work further on it today. In the meantime, I was up and at it at 6.30 ....just in case the phone rang! It's a really nice day today, so might treat myself to a swim....dare I say at the beach.

Northern sights

In my search for work I thought I'd look north from Sydney as I live towards the outskirts. There is an AP position going a little over an hour up the F3. Might just put my name in the hat! It is a small township and school of about 250 students...hmmmm Quite different to where I have been teaching recently, that's for sure.

Sunday

There were no possible positions advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald, nor any new ones in SEEK. There is a job going at a school about 35 minutes away that was advertised by the DEC. Applications are due this Wednesday, so I will work on that today. I can confidently address the selection criteria so have a chance this time. This school is in a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Sydney, in a developing area. Fingers crossed I can get an interview!

An Interview

Scored an interview last Wednesday which was a great experience. There is a possible contract coming up in the next few weeks and the principal and deputy wanted to meet me. I had been recommended by a colleague in a senior position within the DEC who had spoken highly about my skills and talents. That's nice! Once again, going to an interview is always a positive learning experience. I actually enjoy this and feel in a good place to really be myself and give a potential employer a valid understanding of what I can offer.

Gap Beach near South West Rocks..... Just wanted to share this photo!

It's Saturday and raining

It's Saturday and the paper is outside in the rain! On Saturdays in My Career, you can find advertised positions at independent schools, and these are often advertised in Seek on the internet as well. Just maybe there is something for me....but it's wet and I think I'll wait!

Be prepared to travel

I am on the waiting list to be appointed to a a DEC school but this is highly unlikely. Despite the fact that my priority day is 2006, so in theory I have been waiting for an appointment for 7 years, there is a very slim chance this will actually happen. More and more teaching positions are advertised and appointments made through the merit selection process. However, yesterday I added many more school areas to my list of schools I am willing to go to. I now have about 250 schools on my list, many of which are in hard to staff areas of Sydney. So now I am willing to travel to the six school areas radiating from where I live!

Blogging might help!

I read a wonderful article that suggested blogging can help you secure a job...so....here we go! I actually started blogging a long time ago, but now my main blog is about my profession, "Creative Classroom on a Budget by Jenny Harrisson". Having worked for nine years in the field of creativity, I have many ideas to share and really enjoy this. Probably it's mostly my friends following my blog, but I know that my ideas are appreciated. If any prospective employer reads my blog, they would get an insight into my thoughts, work ethic, personality and passion for the arts and teaching. You know....this blog just might help someone else find that dream job too! Might even help me :)

Let's look at Merit Selection

Whilst organising my CV I began applying for advertised positions within the DEC. Selection criteria have to be specifically addressed which takes careful thought and considerable time. I also applied for Assistant Principal positions which have additional General Selection criteria to be addressed. The DEC provides clear guidelines and assistance on their website which I found really helpful. So far I haven't secured any interviews in this way, but submitted two applications on Wednesday so you never know!

Highly skilled and confident

I am confident and highly skilled and my challenge is to find a school out there where I can make a worthwhile contribution. Where are you? After many years of teaching I still have passion, enthusiasm and love of teaching.

Pop in for a chat

After sending out my CV to 120 primary school principals, three asked me to pop in for a chat. This week is really busy in schools with the new Kindergarten children arriving only yesterday, so I thought I would make a time next week when things have settled down a little. Even though the most likely scenario is that I might be offered casual work at these schools, it is all great experience and you become known. You never know where it might lead. My motto is to keep an open mind and explore all avenues!

Some interest

A number of primary principals responded and told me that they had put me on their casual list. This is a start, but in the long term, I really want a permanent position. Having spent the last nine years as a primary visual art specialist, I feel that despite teaching visual arts really is my passion, these types of jobs are few and far between. There are far more classroom primary teaching positions available and I have taught in the classroom for many years before specialising. At the end of last year I managed to get two interviews at independent schools for temporary primary visual art contracts, but wasn't successful. You learn from the experience and move on. I see securing an interview as a real bonus and am happy to get that far. One step closer to that dream job!

The search begins

The summer break is over and my job search goes into full swing. First of all I decided a fabulous CV was the way to go. I had been adding to my same old CV format for years and it was dated and portrayed my skills as narrow. So the decision to go to a professional was easy to make and would give me the boost I needed. After an interview lasting an hour, my draft CV was written. My skills were clearly defined and key achievements outlined impressively, followed by work history. After a few edits, I was delighted with the results and felt ready to go. This was just the bait I needed and I felt pretty keen and confident that something would turn up. I scoured the internet and located lists of email addresses of nearly every primary school principal north of the harbour. Perhaps the easy way to go would have been a mass email expressing my work availability but decided to email each principal independently. Over the next few days I soldiered on and soon had sent an email with my CV attached to 120 primary school principals.