Basics

Let’s face it, finding the perfect private school job can be a wild ride. You’ve got tons of amazing schools to choose from, but that means you’ve got to be strategic about your job search.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, you want to make sure you’re prepared to showcase your skills and passion for teaching.

Tip 1: Boost Your Marketability Quotient

This job market is competitive. Employers want the best, and with dozens, or even hundreds, of applicants for the same role, you need to stand out.

How do you do it? By showcasing three or more of these in-demand skills or credentials, you’ll be well on your way to private school success.

Skills That Set You Apart

• Speak and teach a second language: Fluency in French, Spanish, or Mandarin makes you a highly sought-after candidate. Add a degree and certifications, and you’ll be unstoppable.
• Hold specialist certifications: An ESL certificate or reading specialist certification can open doors at many schools, especially in diverse communities.
• Be an AP exam reader: A little prestige goes a long way. If you’ve been an AP reader in subjects like Art History or Environmental Science, schools will take notice.
• Be willing to relocate: Flexibility matters. If you are open to moving, your marketability will skyrocket.
• Offer subjects in demand: Math and physics teachers are often in short supply. If you can teach to the AP level or have IB Diploma Programme experience, you’ll be even more attractive to employers.

In this video,

These are tough times for teachers. 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. Some people think that teachers have a soft job. Public school teachers only have to work ten months of the year. Most private school teachers have it even better as they usually work a nine-month year. Of course, that's a distorted view of the profession. Many teachers teach summer sessions or run summer camps. They might have a month of vacation if they are lucky. Lurking on the sidelines is the question of liability. Yes, teachers can be held liable for all sorts of things which make no sense. The problem is that American society is very litigious. Folks will sue in a nanosecond. Lawsuits, as you well know, are time-consuming, expensive, and, in the worst cases can be career-limiting events.

So, let's look at liability from our point of view as teachers. Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, so read my layperson's comments and observations, then run questions by and seek advice from your attorney. The mnemonic DIRE lays out some of the issues we need to watch for. Protecting yourself is very important. Nobody else will look out for your interests as well as you will.

Everyday risks

Your chances of getting sued are probably on a par with having an accident while driving. When you drive carefully, observe the rules of the road, stay

Is Your Job Search Stuck in the Past? Here’s How to Fix It

It’s late fall, early winter. The air is crisp, the holidays are approaching, and suddenly, it hits you.

The promotion you’ve been counting on? Not happening. Your colleague is getting the nod, and you're left wondering why. After playing out the scenarios in your head, it’s clear: it’s time for something new. A fresh start, new challenges, a change of scenery, just what you need, right?

Absolutely. But now comes the big question: How do you make it happen?

You start by facing a hard truth: your resume is outdated. You haven’t touched it in years, and as you scroll through the document, you realize: your job search approach is so… 2020.

Microsoft Copilot generated this image.

Sound familiar? Don’t panic. The job market has evolved, and so should your strategy. Here’s how to modernize your approach and stand out in today’s competitive landscape.

Get Involved. Stay Involved. Expand Your Reach.

By now, you’ve been at St. Swithin’s for five years. You know the school, the students, the routine. But let’s talk about something bigger, your presence beyond the classroom.

Sure, involvement at school is a given, it’s expected, maybe even required. But what about the world outside those walls?

• Have you joined a local service club or choral society to connect with people?
• Have you attended workshops from your state’s independent school association,

The reality of being a private school teacher is that you will have to face an annual deadline called the contract renewal. If you are doing a good job, this annual rite should not present any problems. You will be notified that your contract is being renewed, and that will be that.

But what if things are not going well? You are unhappy. You sense that things are not going well. Perhaps you have even received a written communication or two indicating that things are not going well. What to do? If there is no resolution to whatever issues are at the root of your mutual unhappiness, the best solution for all concerned is probably the obvious: finish out the year and part company on the best possible terms. After all, you will need the school to give you as good a reference as possible.

In any case, let's look at the renewal process from the school's point of view.

Why then should we renew your contract?

It may sound obvious, but we hired you in good faith. You interviewed well and seemed enthusiastic about teaching here at St. Swithins. Your transcripts and references were sound and everything was checked out. Consequently, we had great expectations.

For the most part, you have not let us down. Your lesson plans are well thought out. You present the material in an engaging manner. You incorporate technology into your teaching effortlessly and effectively. Your classroom management and communication skills are

If you are looking for a teaching job, then you probably understand how tough the employment situation is. Because of significant budget cuts in the public school sector, tens of thousands of qualified, experienced teachers are looking for employment. Add to that very sizable candidate pool all the newly-minted teachers graduating from our nation's 670 accredited schools of education. You can readily see how competitive the market is. Naturally, some areas of the country are more severely impacted than others. Within those areas, there will be a few school districts in a few communities that can hold their own. The issue with public school funding has much to do with the fact that a substantial portion of a school district's budget comes from local property taxes. School districts in affluent communities usually will fare better than districts with a decreasing tax base.

While this oversupply of experienced, qualified teachers is an advantage for private schools because it increases the applicant pool, this situation makes it much more competitive for those who want to secure a private school teaching job. Finding employment in a private school works differently than finding employment in the public sector. I suggest that you review my Job Search Resources to understand the mechanics of finding private school employment. I have covered the subject from every angle I could think of. I also spent 17 years in the corporate environment where one of my responsibilities was interviewing and hiring. It is critically