ETB/VEC Teaching Job Application Form

jsorbee

I have recently filled in many teaching job application forms. So far, I have not been shortlisted for any of them. I am obviously going wrong somewhere. I think it may be the section where you outline your approach to teaching. What are they looking for here? What are the key points that they are looking for? Is there anything in particular you can put here to be noticed? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am losing all hope of ever even being considered for a job!
Thanks
Bee

Tom Dunne

I think it would be better if you post up here what you are putting in this section of the form.

Think about it - if you put something "from the internet" on your form and you are asked about it, you will struggle.

jsorbee

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I think it would be better if you post up here what you are putting in this section of the form.

Think about it - if you put something "from the internet" on your form and you are asked about it, you will struggle.

Thank you. I'd rather not put up what I'm putting in that section of the form if thats ok. I'm just looking for some pointers so I have an idea of where to start. I will of course research and make sure I have a full understanding of what I'm talking about. I wouldnt merely be copying and pasting from the internet.

spurious

VEC/ETB interviews usually follow the application form so being able to speak at length off the top of your head on your approach to teaching would be a plus.

Something like awareness of the children you are dealing with, preparation (including materials for different abilities/strengths), classroom organisation, use of IT/materials in general, motivating the disinterested child, motivating children who have experienced very little success, motivating children who find school work easy - being able to talk at a fair length in interview about any of those sorts of topics.

Make a sort of summary and add it to your form. They will let you talk about it in interview and it is a place where passion/enthusiasm/knowledge of subject/all the sorts of things they are looking for shine through.

Pinkycharm

spurious wrote: »

VEC/ETB interviews usually follow the application form so being able to speak at length off the top of your head on your approach to teaching would be a plus.

Something like awareness of the children you are dealing with, preparation (including materials for different abilities/strengths), classroom organisation, use of IT/materials in general, motivating the disinterested child, motivating children who have experienced very little success, motivating children who find school work easy - being able to talk at a fair length in interview about any of those sorts of topics.

Make a sort of summary and add it to your form. They will let you talk about it in interview and it is a place where passion/enthusiasm/knowledge of subject/all the sorts of things they are looking for shine through.

Great advice, just remember you're selling yourself as the ONLY person for the job, so sell yourself well a teacher once told me "go in thinking you are the only one for the job, sell yourself entirely- if you feel confident at the end and they don't choose you- think of it as it's their loss and just move on".

I would also suggest bringing in samples of your work possible give them a copy at the end of interview, if they want it.

aunt aggie

I approach these questions by always including a start, middle and end. Its so easy to waffle on about nothing in particular.

Start: What I want in my classroom? Students involved and actually learning stuff
Middle: What strategies I use to get there?
End: How this has benefited students in the past and how it will benefit your school in the future?

Also you're not necessarily doing anything wrong on your applications!! Job market is just.. not good and it can be really demoralising.

Hazelnut Button

I usually mention things like using positive discipline and assessment for learning techniques. I would describe the classroom as student centred and talk about incorporating co-operative and inquiry based learning. Mention how you encourage and motivate your students to fulfill their potential etc... Also how you have developed effective literacy and numeracy strategies for your subject. Lots of buzzwords when I look at it I suppose.