It's late August and time to dust off the old brain cells, gird the loins, and start drumming up business for the coming school year. What strategies did I use last year that worked (after I submitted my application of course)?
I. Prioritize what's important - I thought about where I wanted to work and where I could make it to work on time. After all, I won't make a good impression if I can't make it to a job site after dropping off my son at childcare. In my case, Shoreline School District and the north end of Seattle School District. I thought about what I want to do. I want to teach at elementary level and middle school, but not high school. I also prioritize what I want to teach. I like grade school and specialist jobs but I'm so surpremely intimidated by PE that I know I won't check that off on the subsitute interest sheet.
With all that, I was prepared to fill out the hours of paperwork at a sub orientation.
II. After getting a substitute number - That's right, it's not the millitary but you get a number by which the system will know you. When a teacher wants you, they will most likely request you by your sub number. In my case, I made some business cards and stationery that has my name, sub number, phone, and e-mail address. I dropped off my cards with the secretary in all the schools I want to work in. I would introduce myself and try to include something that would distinguish myself from other substitutes. I got several calls back this way. I keep the stationery to write notes after subbing in a classroom as another way to differentiate myself from other subs.
I also e-mailed all my friends, cohort, contacts, etc. who work in the schools I want to work in letting them know I'm available with my sub number. A few of them wrote notes to their colleagues at their school and brought me quite a few jobs that way as well.
Note: What didn't work - I made mini posters with my vital stats and business cards in an envelope and posted them in building cafeterias. I received no calls from this strategy nor did anyone I talked to who tried this method.
I'm curious about what worked and what didn't work for other fellow subs. Please comment.
Interesting -- now I did make a flyer, with my picture on it, put it in teachers mailboxes and posted on bulletin boards. I think because it had my picture on it they could say - "I've seen her around here. I'll give her a call" They could put a name to a face. I got a few calls that way.
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