Sharing stories to find a job PIOG

[whirlygirl]

 

 I having been sending off one resume after another in search of work this summer. My resume shows that I have PLENTY of teaching experience. Right now I am trying to personalize my cover letters, somehow get the principal's attention and stand out from others candidates. I know that being different can be risky, but being bland seemd to not be working. So, today I sent this off. I am wondering what other teachers think of this approach??

Thanks if you take the time to read it. I am already self-critiquing that it's too lengthy.

I believe that middle school students need to be aware of and involved in the community outside of the classroom walls. I'd like to share a few experiences from my prior teaching that illustrate this idea.

            When I taught ESL at ________ Jr. High School in New York, I had a group of rather disenchanted adolescents. They had a mistrust of school, government, and authority figures in general. They voiced their disillusionment often, especially when assignments were given. I wanted to help them see that there were more effective ways to make their voices heard.  After some discussion, the students decided that they wanted to write to then President Bill Clinton. The first drafts of their letters were full of accusations, inappropriate language, and grammatical errors. But, as we continued to discuss issues and revise the writing, they were all able to produce brief but appropriate letters to the president.  I will never forget how thrilled the students were later in the year, when we actually got a written response from the White House.

In ______________, my class read "A Passage to Freedom" the story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who helped refugees flee from Poland during WWII. The students were intrigued by the complicated dilemma that Mr. Sugihara faced, and wanted to learn more. They then researched historical events that led to the war. A group of sixth graders collaborated to write an article about the Holocaust, and how they felt this event has relevance to their own lives. Their article was later published on the education page of The _________ County Sun.

These are just two of many activities I have done with students to connect them with both their local community and the larger society. Of course, along with integrating community awareness, I do teach lessons based on  Academic Standards and constantly strive for my students to achieve those standards.  I would like talk with you more about teaching, and the work that I could do with students at _______________ School. Please contact me at your convenience to schedule an interview.