On ThE JOb
What Employers Want
interest in stUDents
“You have to like children; that’s one of the main things
we look for in a teacher,” says linda chance, executive
director of professional and support staffing for the dallas
Independent school district.
“we hire teachers who are passionate about students,”
adds paul matney, vice president and dean of instruction
at amarillo college, a community college in the panhandle
of Texas.
dedication is another sought-after quality. “we look for
someone who is dedicated to finding a way to help children
learn. we don’t want people who give up,” says chance.
“sometimes you have to have a lot of perseverance in
finding a way to teach a child or to connect with a child.”
specialization in a sUbject
“Too many individuals are going into general education,”
chance says. she suggests that students major in areas
in which there is a high need, such as math, science,
or special education. “They will have the opportunity to
More
select the positions they want because there is such a
high demand.”
than Academics
at the college level, matney says he looks for teachers
who not only are experts in curriculum, but also are
“passionate” about the subject. “You don’t want to hire
in changing stUDents
’
lives,
someone to teach biology who is not really excited about
biology,” he says. educators play many different roles.
corporate training managers often look for
specialization, too, says jacque burandt, administrative
director of staff development, human resources
communications, and volunteerism for university Health
system in san antonio. Her staff includes two trainers
T
eachers wear a lot of different hats,” thing. I’m able
says kindergarten teacher Amanda to positively
Pennell from Oakmont Elementary influence children
with master’s degrees in nursing and one with a master’s
in Fort Worth. “We’re a mother or father at an early stage, when
degree in business administration.
figure, counselor, nurse, dietitian, guardian it’s really important.”
angel, and social worker.” To succeed
“high-energy” role moDels
Whether they work in K–12 schools, as a teacher in
In a k–12 setting, a “high energy level” is critical, says
colleges and universities, corporations, or elementary, middle,
chance. “Teaching is one of those careers that doesn’t
elsewhere, teachers help shape lives. “At my and high school,
end at the end of the day. we’re looking for someone
school, we’re not just teaching academics, Pennell adds, you must
who is willing to do the extras outside of the regular
we’re shaping the whole person,” says have empathy, a strong
school day, things like sponsoring a club, coaching, or
Phyllis Ramsey, principal of West High will, and be confident,
helping with academic activities after school or
School in West. dedicated, and “heart-
on weekends.”
sensitive.”
employers also require a clean criminal record and
Teaching Takes Commitment
references that speak well of the job candidate’s character,
Reaching students on a social and Teaching College
says chance. “The background check is very important
emotional level is what some educators “The thing that really touches me is
because we want to make sure children are safe,
find most rewarding about their day-to- making a difference in other people’s
and because the candidate needs to be a role model
day jobs. lives,” says Robert H. Blodgett, professor of
for students.”
Pennell gives the example of a boy in geology at the Austin Community College
In the corporate environment, burandt says she looks
her kindergarten class. “At the beginning in Austin.
for trainers who will serve as leaders for other employees.
of the year, he was so violent, he had to be Teaching at the college and university
“we have to be the role model when it comes to customer
restrained physically,” she says. After six level is different from teaching in the
service, leadership—all those things that we teach.”
months of working with him, “he became lower grades because you don’t have the
a model student. That’s my favorite discipline problems, adds Blodgett. Also,
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