When looking for teaching jobs, you must keep in mind what your own goals and limitations are, particularly when it comes to age level, subject area, and school location.
Decide what type of school you would like to teach at (public, private, Catholic, Jewish, Montessori, college, special education, etc.).
What grade level you wish to instruct (early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, post-secondary, adult).
Which content area drives you (Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Music, Career, etc.); and where you want to live (in your hometown) within the same state, across the country, across the world).
Once you have determined your unique preferences, you can start hunting for your dream teaching job. The main parameter to keep in mind is whether you want to teach in the city where you currently live, research which school districts are located nearby.
Use school- or district-specific web pages to discover job openings. If there is nothing in your immediate city, you may want to look at one town over. Decide how far you are willing to travel to and from work every day, and let that be your guide.
Places Teaching Jobs Are Listed Online
If you are willing to work anywhere in your state, which is ideal for state-licensed teachers, check out the Department of Education’s website that pertains to your current location. There may be a job posting board on that page, or you may have to look city by city for ads. If there is an abundance of educators in your state, you may want to look elsewhere and obtain the necessary teaching certifications.
Perhaps travel is not an issue for you. If this is the case, then conduct a nationwide search. Use national teacher recruiter websites such as Teachers-Teachers to help you find a new career. The more willing you are to travel, the more opportunities you will have. Searching across the nation gives you the chance to look closely at the content area and grade level instead of focusing mostly on location.
On the other hand, maybe you are someone who likes adventure, travel and discovering new cultures. If this is true of you, then consider teaching jobs abroad. There are many opportunities to work in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and other continents, starting a career as an ESL teacher.
Have a look at Footprints Recruiting or Council of International Schools (CIS) if you consider teaching abroad.
Teaching Jobs Abroad
If instructing students who do not have an English language background is not of interest to you, consider teaching at an American school abroad. You can work with the students from families that moved to another country for work but hope to bring the American culture and educational system to their kids—for instance, American diplomats or international business professionals.
When you do find a teaching position that you think would suit you just perfectly, be mindful of the deadline, and make certain you submit your resume and cover letter promptly; otherwise, you may be disqualified.
