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Can you hear me now?

How many of you, and be honest, have received emails from job seekers about potential openings at your school and don't reply?



I'm new to the administrative world, am only an Assistant Principal, and I was rather taken aback at the amount of times I've gotten such emails.

Kudos to you, job seeker, future educator, for putting yourself out there and making yourself heard.  Kudos to you for not just applying on the district website, attaching your resume and hoping for the best.  I respect you.  Which is why I'm writing this post.

I remember when I first tested the waters of teacherdom 8 years ago.  My dad and I flew down to Savannah, Georgia on my last spring break as a college student.  I brought with me copies of my cover letter and resume and dutifully drove around the historic city, personally handing them out to principals at their respective schools.  I wasn't going to leave anything to chance.  I wanted to get out of the snow, and I wanted a job.


 I got callbacks and I got ignored.  I kind of remember the callbacks, I think the first one is who I accepted a job from, but I especially remember the ignores.  It's been 8 years so I don't specifically remember the schools but I remember the feeling and the thought, "Hey, I'm just looking for a job, I get it if you don't have any openings but know that I stuck my neck out there, at least give me a call or write me an email."  Did they owe that to me, probably not- everyone is busy, resumes get lost in the shuffle.  Fast forward to when I moved to Texas and had to become a door to door teacher without a home again.  This time technology had evolved some and the most efficient way of getting my name out there was to send emails and make phone calls hoping for a bite on the proverbial fishing line I had cast out there.  Again, some called, some didn't.  Again, I don't specifically remember who but I remember the sting.



So, this brings me to the point of this post.  I hereby swear, with all of you as my witness, now that I am in this position, and even though we may not have an opening at my school, I WILL respond to your vulnerability.  I will not leave you hanging, one way or the other.  I will never forget the feeling of being in the position you are in.   I wish you the MOST luck, future colleague.

Am I crazy?  Are you thinking to yourself, "Ha!  The rookie has no idea what he is saying!"  Share your thoughts, if you feel so inclined.



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