I started to write this post to keep in theme with my "one post a week" start, but quickly realised that I would have had to come back and edit it multiple times as our respective job hunts have evolved. I want to document the processes that we've gone through so far, noting some of the differences between the two countries.
I worked hard to get my NH teaching qualification ahead of time with the aim being that I would catch all the job adverts for a September start. The main issue is that whilst New Hampshire as a state has a similar population to Leeds (and thus a corresponding number of schools), and much smaller class sizes, the land area is roughly the same as the whole of Yorkshire. This narrows down the list of possible schools for me to apply to considerably, but I found 3 or 4 to apply to. There is no common application process, though most have an online application form system, but still require you to upload your resume, cover letters and reference letters (again, I had all these prepped ahead of time). I submitted 3 applications in the first of week of being here, and was suprised by the quick response rate. One school replied the following morning after my submission and the other replied within 2 hours to ask me to come into school for an interview.
In the UK, I've been used to having the whole interview process happen in a day (teaching practice, meet some teachers, interview) and a decision being made by the end of the working day one way or another. It's been a very different experience here. Firstly, with both schools, I had the formal interview first. I guess this is a good way of seeing if someone fits the school ethos and team set up before checking if their teaching practice matches their resume. It still felt odd to be in that situation as a first introduction to each school. However, I progressed past both stages and spent a while trying to toss up which school I would pick if both offered me the job.
The next step was different at each school. One had me come in and teach a lesson (it felt good to be back in charge of my own lessons after days of teaching from other people's plans!) whilst the other had me come back for another interview, this time with teachers as well as the SLT (8 people in total!). These were within a day of each other, but both principals left me with a "we'll get in touch soon once we've had seen all the applicants". I had felt both interviews had gone well, so I was pleased when I was called by the DJ Bakie school in Kingston the following day to offer me a job.
Well, when I say offer me a job, it was merely the start of a new process. Firstly, they had to confirm my references (not easy to do with a 5 hour time difference!) and wanted a personal reference of someone in the USA who knew me who wasn't family. Once those had been checked out, I then had to make an appointment with the superintendent for the district (the big boss of around 5 schools), who would review my application, interview me again and would be the one who could offer me a job. I duly did this, feeling slightly intimidated by his big mahogany desk and Alan Sugar-like demeanour. It's hard to say whether this is a formality, or whether he could have turned round and rejected the principal's recommendation, but fortunately he offered me the job at a considerable pay rise to my UK teaching position. However, it's got to go before the district board next week, which is a formality, before I get a contract.
You may have noticed that this school didn't once see me teach, which I find interesting. They were very keen to see if I fit into the mold of their team and I guess they made the assumption from the way that I talk about my practice that I would carry it into the classroom. Who knows. All I care about is that I've got myself a job for September, some permanent supply work till the end of June and a glorious relaxing summer (with sunshine!) with my family before the craziness begins again!
PS an addendum. The school who did see me teach took over a week to get back to me. We've played phone tag today, but as they haven't replied to my answerphone message, I'm assuming that it's a non urgent phone call. Fortunately, I would have turned it down anyway :)
