Teachers supporting teachers: Episode 4 with Stephanie Porcellana
Teachers supporting teachers
Episode 4 with Stephanie Porcellana
CV examples Steph shares in this episode: Before and After.
Say hello to Stephanie Porcellana. Steph is a graduate teacher, having completed her initial teacher education studies at the end of 2019. In this podcast Steph shares her journey of applying for jobs before the conclusion of her studies and while also working as a CRT to then securing her first teaching contract, beginning term 2, 2020 in a Grade 4 classroom. We virtual high five and celebrate this milestone with Steph as she talks through the process of her past 8 months of securing this position - including 18 applications, tweaking of CV, researching schools, and connecting with mentors to provide feedback on her applications. Steph talks through the process and how she made the decision she did to find herself in the school she is currently located at.
As we recorded this podcast Steph was entering the end of term 1 holiday break, just as the government announced that schools will move to online and remote learning for term 2. This sparked for Steph an opportunity to working with her new colleagues to plan and approach this new way of working. We listen to Steph share what this was like while getting to know her fellow Grade 4 teaching team and the principal of the school.
In the podcast we talk in depth about applying for jobs, and Steph’s top tips include:
Look at CV examples to promote ideas for you on what to include and how to lay this out.
Research the school so that you can tailor your application to this. Know the specific details as well as the school values.
Change the layout of the CV often to find what best works well and showcases you. Steph talks through moving from text chunks (teaching philosophy, education, professional experience, etc.) to then moving to a layout that was more contemporary and based on tips from google and a principal panel. She found a template that transformed her CV to become more modern and concise, utilising a layout that is not text heavy to one that is clean fresh utilising different sections in boxes.
Steph advises for finding an aesthetically pleasing CV that helps the panel get to know you quickly.
Key selection criteria - write clearly and succinctly with limited jargon and quoting theory. Steph shares really wonderful practical tips with this and aligns this to how this is a shift from your portfolio reflections and statements, and although these inform your application, they can’t be directly copied across. These are two different genres of writing.
For your job interview be prepared, know the school you are applying for and use this when you are in the interview. Practice interview questions and how you would respond. Steph talks about how she practiced in the car so she could be authentic amongst the nerves.
Go into the interview and be yourself, and share your passion for teaching. Be you. Be friendly. You are connecting with your future colleagues. Do you fit? Do they fit? How will you be able to collaborate with your potential new colleagues.
Take ways for Steph’s interview:
Persistence.
"I can do this” attitude.
Seeking feedback and advice from others is a must.
Keep editing your CV and find a contemporary format that showcases you and helps the panel connect with you.
Be personable with the CV as well as the application.
There is a deep level of thinking for your application - not only the content but spend time on the presentation.
Connect to the school values.
Panels are looking for authentic examples of your practice and understanding.
Practice talking about yourself before an interview.
Interview preparation benefits include making an information sheet - write the key points about who you are, and then what experience you have to align to the schools policies, curriculum, co-curricular or specialist offerings, values, size, role within the community, etc.
Prepare and know your approach classroom management, pedagogy, etc
Print your information sheet and take it to the interview.
Be authentic.
Trust in the process, you will find the right place at the right time.