Do I Need to be Certified?

Basics

Information about working in private schools

• Private School Jobs
  Teaching in a private school is different from teaching in a public school. Find out more here including information on duties, compensation and where to find jobs.
• How to Find a Private School Job
  You can send in a resume and use an agency, but the very best way to find a private school job is to use your network. You do have a network, don't you?
• Do I Need to be Certified?
  Each state sets its own teacher certification requirements. While many private schools do not require you to be certified, it is in your best interests to obtain certification. This article includes contact information for state education offices so you can begin the process.
• Are You Liable?
  Is your DEL key about to get gaveled? It doesn't matter whether you teach in a public or private school setting. You expose yourself to legal risks every single day on the job.
• What Do Teachers Make?
  What do teachers make? Teachers' salaries vary from state to state, indeed, from school to school.
• Why Should We Renew Your Contract?
  Here are some reasons and strategies for making sure that the school will renew your contract. Eagerly.
• Your Teaching Contract Hasn't Been Renewed?
  Private school teachers are not unionized. So, if the school decides not to renew your contract, you have little recourse. Here are five suggestions for safe-guarding your employment.
• What About Being an Intern?
  Thinking of teaching in an independent school? Several schools have teaching internship programs. Here's what's involved.
• Timeline for Finding a Private School Job
  Finding a private school job takes time. Lots of time. This time line will focus your efforts on what has to be done and when it ideally should be done.
• What About Teaching Overseas?
  With the job market looking bleak, teaching is an option many recent college graduates are considering. Teaching overseas has all kinds of attractive features. We look at private school teaching jobs and explain what is involved in finding one, applying and more.
• The Pros and Cons of Teaching Overseas
  Hundreds of private schools, and for that matter, public schools, outside the United States will be happy to have you as a teacher for a few years.
• Private School Employment Do's and Don'ts
  It's a tough job market out there. Observe these Do's and Donts to keep yourself ahead of the competition.
• Is Your Job Search So 2008?
  If you have not looked for a job in the past several years, your job search probably needs a refresh. Here's how to do it.
• Looking for a Job: Easier When Employed or Unemployed?
  Looking for a job in these tough economic times is a challenging process. But is it easier to do when you are employed or unemployed. It depends. Here are some answers.
• Job Search Resources
  This guide is designed to provide teachers and administrators seeking employment in private schools a road map for the job search process.
• Do You Need a Rebranding?
  If you have been teaching for a few years, chances are that you will need to consider rebranding yourself.
• Employing Foreign Nationals
  Can non-U.S. teachers get employment in American private schools? The answer is "No" in 99.9% of cases.
• Your Job Application: Making It Easy to Read
  Making your job application easy to read will help your application make the first cut.
• Conducting a Job Search Via Social Media
  Social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and Facebook offer special opportunities for the private school job-seeker.
• Your Job Search Is Taking Forever
  A search for a teaching job in the midst of a severe recession takes much longer than it does in good economic times. Here's how to handle this situation.
• Is Your Network Keeping You Connected?
  The non-unionized private school teacher has to create her own ways of staying connected. Staying connected keeps you informed and gives you a sense of solidarity.
• Conducting a Job Search Via the Web
  The Web offers job seekers all sorts of efficiencies. The same is true with respect to private school job searching.
• What's Your Marketability Quotient?
  Finding a good job requires some market savvy.
• Read more articles (23)

• Applying and Interviewing (16)
• What's the Difference Between a Letter of Interest and a Cover Letter?
  Letters of interest and cover letters are frequently used interchangeably even though they have different purposes.
• How to Apply for a Private School Job
  Do five simple things when applying for a private school teaching position and you will be successful.
• 5 Tips for a Successful Job Interview
  You have a lot riding on your job interview. Here are some tips for a successful interview.
• What To Wear at Your Job Interview
  First impressions are lasting impressions. What you wear at an interview for a teaching job is important. Almost as important as your qualifications and credentials.
• How to Write a Cover Letter
  When you apply for a position at a private school, you need to use a slightly different approach than you would use if you were applying for a sales job somewhere.
• 5 Things Never to Put in Your Job Application
  Make sure that your job application and resume present you in the best possible light.
• Marketing Yourself in Tough Times
  Marketing yourself in tough times requires attention to details. Here are some tips to help you achieve success.
• Why Should I Hire You?
  Let's think about the employment process from the point of view of your making me want to hire you. Here are some points to ponder.
• Employment: Creating Value in Your Resume
  Creating value will get your resume noticed. Here's how to do it.
• 5 Common Employment Application Mistakes
  Submit your employment application the way a Swiss watch craftsman builds a watch. With precision and accuracy.
• Job Search: Matching Your Qualifications
  Matching your qualifications with what the school is looking for is one of the most important parts of the job process. Get it wrong and you might miss getting an interview.
• Asking Good Questions
  Asking good questions at your job interview will improve your chances. Conversely asking bad questions will damage them.
• Are You the Right Person for Our Job?
  For starters we won't know unless you present your application in the format and in the manner we specify.
• Answering the Expected Questions
  Be prepared for questions which you know will be part of any interview for a private school position.
• Staying Positive While Unemployed
  Staying positive while being unemployed is never easy. But it is a critical part of the process.
• Making It Accurate and Truthful
  You must not fudge the facts on your private school employment application. Tell the truth. Put a positive spin on any potentially negative areas. More here.
• Teaching (10)
• How Do You Become a Private School Teacher?
  How do you become a private school teacher? We look at internships, licensing and more.
• Gay Teachers
  Several prep schools have pushed the envelope of diversity by allowing committed same sex couples to live on campus in school housing.
• A Teacher's Influence
  Never underestimate the influence you have on your students. You may not think that you are getting through, but you are! This little bit of fiction shows the influence teachers had on some famous people.
• Becoming a Teacher Later
  Many people have successful careers only to realize that something is missing. Teaching can satisfy that missing 'something'. Explore the possibilities of becoming a teacher in your 30's, 40's and even your 50's.
• Be Careful What You Post in Facebook!
  Teachers need to learn how to be Facebook savvy. Otherwise Facebook will cause them lots of problems.
• Are You a 21st Century Teacher?
  21st century schools need 21st century teachers. Are you a 21st century teacher?
• The Private School Survival Guide for Teachers
  There are several differences between teaching in a private school versus teaching in a public school.
• Don't Leave Any Evidence!
  Future and current employers can find out all sorts of things about you these days. Make sure that you don't leave behind any damning electronic evidence.
• What Is Praxis?
  Praxis is part of the teacher licensing process many states require.
• Blogs, Pods and More
  Education blogs, podcasts and sites worth a read and a listen.

• What's the Difference Between a Letter of Interest and a Cover Letter?
  Letters of interest and cover letters are frequently used interchangeably even though they have different purposes.
• Top Roman Catholic Boarding Schools
  These Roman Catholic boarding schools offer good value, great educations and a faith-based community experience.
• Comparison of Montessori, Waldorf & Reggio Emilia
  A table comparison of the three popular early childhood education approaches.
• For Profit vs Not for Profit Schools
  What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of a for profit versus a not for profit school? Is one kind of school better than the other?
• 5 Facts About Montessori Schools
  Here are five facts about Montessori schools to bear in mind when exploring preschools and primary schools for your child.
• More articles: Why Private School, Elementary Issues, High School Issues, Jobs in Private Schools, Running a Private School