Teacher Job Fair Advice

I don't know how the job fairs work. I've been a substitute teacher by choice since 2000. I have seen a LOT of subs end up with jobs at the school where we teach the most.

When you sub you see all the aspects of the teams at a particular school and how well everyone works together.

I only sub at 1 elementary school in Plano and I am kept very busy. I turn jobs down because I am not interested in being there daily.

If the job fair does not land you a job, get into a good substitute system. When you sub at a school and like it...make SURE the teachers have your personal number. That way you are called directly. The voice mail system for Plano rarely calls me....the teachers call their favorites before the allow a job to go to the system.

Best wishes.

I don't know if your are ESL certified, but I recommend it. Also get on district websites and see if they are having their own job fairs. You will get one on one interviews with principals from the schools in your grade level. Also, get on Region 11 website and look under employment. Right now it is not 100% up to date, but look daily. Also I know Mansfield ISD is having a job fair in the beginning in May, you need to call the district and set up the appointment. I think you just have to keep looking and pushing yourself. Think about charter schools and private the pay is less but you get your experience. I got my job 3 days before school started! Best of Luck

I'm in the same boat as you, 33 and returning after a 2 year absence. I went to one last week and it was a mess, totally crowded, loud, chaotic. I hope the one you are attending is laid out better!
A couple of things you might consider: research the districts you are interested in and cater your resume and cover letters to those specific schools; make another batch of generic cover letters/resumes that you can hand out to other districts just in case you find one you hadn't considered. Know which tables you want to visit before you get there. When you do get there, don't go to those tables first; pick any other random table or 2 or 3 and visit them just to get warmed up. This will get you into the groove and ready to talk to the people you really want to talk to.
Be sure to wear a suit and come up with a 30 second introduction about yourself that you can give when you approach a table. Get something from them like a business card or write down the information so you can follow up later.
Good luck.

I would second everything that Heather said she has some good advice. And it is going to be crowded and chaotic...even more so since so many people are getting alternatively certified because of the economy. You need something that will make you stand out and memorable. I created a portfolio...I hated making it, but it was required by one of my professors. Since I had it, I brought it with me to all job fairs. That thing got me several interviews, because I was remembered. It included my resume, a VITA, my teaching philosophy and student work. The student work was most important, because you could showcase what you have done in the classroom. You don't need a lot of examples, because you only get a few minutes to talk to people. Even after I got a job, I still kept samples of student work to keep it updated. My other word of teacher job hunt advice would be to go to every single interview that may be offered, even if you KNOW you don't want that job. You get better and better at interviews the more you go to. Good luck!

I hate to ask, but where is the job fair? My mom would love to move up here and get my 16 yr old son into a better school district. They are in Kaufman right now.

What the other poster said is true. Some are very chaotic and not very well planned out. Just be patient and take lots of resumes and Tylenol!