Getting Started on Your Search

As you look for your first teaching job, start by determining your desired age group, teaching area, school size, and geographic location, recommends MENC member and recent graduate Meredith Higgins. Some places to begin your search include

• MENC’s Career Center
• State MEA Web sites
• State MEA Collegiate sites
• State Department of Education Web sites
• Public school Web sites
• Private school Web sites
• Education job fairs

MENC member Katie McCormick recommends, “Check for job postings in your local newspaper. If you don’t subscribe to the paper, you can usually check their postings online.” Read the NewsLink article “Score It Big! How to Fine-Tune Your Job-Search Skills” for more tips.

If you don’t see your dream job as you’re searching, talk to other teachers or your professors to figure out what would fit you best. As for timing, if you’re starting to apply and interview now, you’re right on track. Many districts fill positions during June and July.

Read Part 2: Networking and Creating a Portfolio
Read Part 3: Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications—Oh, My!
Read Part 4: Acing Your Interview
Read Part 5: Interview Dos and Don'ts
Read Part 6: Preparing for Your First Year of Teaching

References

MENC Member Meredith Higgins is a recent music education graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington. She recently accepted a position teaching music to elementary students at the International School of Trieste in Italy for one year.

McLain, Barbara Payne. A Career Guide for Music Education, 2nd Ed.

--Anne Wagener, June 10, 2008, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education