Horry County Teachers (Charleston: home, school district, coastal)

[ZoeMaui]

This is a question especially for elementary certified. How did you get hired? I relocated down to MB in June and not 1 position for K-3 has been posted since. I've been hearing that one school hired over 20 new teachers this summer but nothing has been posted. I even went to some schools and couldn't get to speak with the principal. My application is complete with Human Resoures. What am I doing wrong? Teachers start next week and I have no leads.

Also, if you are a teacher and know that your school is hiring, please let me know.

[ah090206]

I am not currently in Horry County but I did work as a substitute teacher and a teachers assistant there (at Carolina Forest Elem.) It is a very competitive district when it comes to jobs. Many of the people that are hired are those that go to Coastal Carolina and do their student teaching at the school. Others have been substitutes, etc.

I teach now in a competitive district outside of Charleston. During my student teaching (in the spring, when most schools do the majority of their hiring), I went to the teacher fairs (leaving resumes) and visited the schools afterwards (leaving resumes.) I sent all of the principals letters (thanking them for allowing me to visit the school, expressing my interest again, and attaching yet another resume.) I received a call within that week. I interviewed at 2 schools and received an offer from the first (my first choice.)

Make sure your application has excellent recommendations...this is huge for the school district. If your application is on CERRA, you should select not to view the recommendations...otherwise schools will know that the person recommending you was writing it knowing that you would be reading it...and is less likely to tell the truth about you. I made sure to get a recommendation from the principal where I did my student teaching...she used to be an asst. principal in this district and was a great connection.

With that all said, teachers are quitting as we speak...there are always a few who decide last minute that they're not coming back for one reason or another (we just had 2 leave here...on for a family illness and one to stay home with her children.) Also, the official numbers are coming in and schools are realizing that they need another teacher here or there. I'd make visits to as many schools as possible this week, dress professionally, and try to meet with the principal. If you don't get to meet, leave your resume!