What are the criteria used to hire public school secondary teachers?

[secondcor521]

Hi all.

My youngest is currently a college sophomore aiming to become a public high school music teacher.  They graduated from a local high school, are attending a public in-state university getting a bachelor's in music education which includes in-state teacher certification, and are probably going to start out at an in-state public high school.

They don't ask me for advice much these days, in large part because they generally don't need it.  But if they happen to do so I'd like to be prepared.  I'd therefore like to understand more about the hiring process for such positions.

Imagine that your music teacher just retired and you're looking to hire their replacement.  You have two candidates, let's call them Candidate A and Candidate B.  Assume for the purposes of this argument that both candidates are fresh college graduates with their teaching credentials.  You ultimately decide to hire Candidate A instead of Candidate B.  What criteria ended up mattering in your decision?

I could imagine it could be any of the following, but I don't actually know:

*  College grades
*  Student teaching references / recommendations
*  Extra certifications (like maybe one candidate is certified in music and biology and the other just music)
*  Certification test scores (do these even exist?)
*  Candidate interviews (personality, presentation, preparedness, poise, etc.)
*  Ability or interest in coaching, clubs, etc. (like maybe one candidate shows potential for being the assistant tennis coach and the other didn't)
*  Connection to the local community (like maybe one candidate graduated from your high school and the other graduated from a high school 200 miles away)
*  Any other factors?

I'm interested in all input but am particularly interested in information from those who are relatively new public school teachers or people who are in the position to hire those people.  I am also interested in the relative weighting of factors - e.g., student teaching references matter a lot and grades matter a little, or whatever.

Thanks!

[Pigeon]

I have a relative who is a public high school music teacher.  The criteria will vary somewhat depending on the district and their specific needs. These positions are relatively rare compared to core teaching positions. Being proficient in a wide variety of instruments can be very important. Expect that there will be high expectations for leading student clubs, which can range from expertise in putting on musical theater productions, to a capella groups to jazz ensembles or world music groups. Having been a leader in college student clubs and productions is a plus.

[Cranky]

Plenty of marching band experience, I’d guess?

I’d suspect that the candidate with some kind of connection to a district has an edge. A lot of districts prefer to hire locally.

[canisius]

I sometimes help with hiring; although, not in music.

The biggest thing by far is experience.  The more experience the better.  Now, of course, being in college the experience will be limited.  But any volunteering, helping with clubs, being busy during the summer the better.  When I was in college, my work study all related to teaching.  I then volunteered and helped in the community.  My resume was much longer than my peers and it gave me an advantage

Next is certification.  When a principal is filling a position, they are looking for how to fill different spots, and sometimes this may be half a teaching unit.  Now, it does not apply as much to music, but still having a certification from K-12 instead of just elementary or just secondary helps, having additional certifications helps. 

Finally, the interview.  I've seen great candidates on paper come in and do terrible in interviews.  Be likeable, and be confident.  Stay away from both extremes.  No one wants a fire hose of information, but also, it's okay to think over an answer.  In fact, some of the best interviews I've seen, the individuals will take ten seconds to think about the answer, write a few notes down and then attempt it.  Also, the principal and committee is asking itself is this someone whose personality will mesh well with the rest of the faculty.

Now I can think of a few other things, but in general when you say music are you referring to choir, band, music theory, in general?

As to grades, as long as it's above a 3.0, I wouldn't worry about it.  I would, however, use the university's career services department. 

[PDXTabs]

*  Any other factors?

I'm only really familiar with education in Oregon. But as this website mentions "80 percent of newly hired teachers in Oregon hold a master’s degree." Most of my teachers in high school did too, and that was 20 years ago.

[secondcor521]

Now I can think of a few other things, but in general when you say music are you referring to choir, band, music theory, in general?

At this point they've narrowed it down to a preference for high school, and they like both band and orchestra.  Choir is a distant third.  Around here music theory is typically taught in private lessons I think, but if it is in the schools I think it's just part of choir / band / orchestra and not a separate class.

[LonerMatt]

I can't see grades mattering much, to be honest. As a former teacher (albeit in Australia), the things that matter are aligned with school's techniques/strategy/approach, ability to walk the walk, and experience. Encouraging early, challenging experiences goes a LONG way. Some complex volunteering in college, 1 or 2 early career jobs in difficult or challenging environments go a long way, IME.

[mm1970]

I would have them ask some high school music teachers...

[clarkfan1979]

The retiring teacher isn't going to have a vote.

[Cyanne]

It would be better to ask an administrator who screens the applications or ask an advisor at the college who has spoken to those who hire teachers. I have been on the interview committees for hiring teachers but the applicants were pre-screened by admin first.

[Frizzle42]

I sometimes help with hiring; although, not in music.

The biggest thing by far is experience.  The more experience the better.  Now, of course, being in college the experience will be limited.  But any volunteering, helping with clubs, being busy during the summer the better.  When I was in college, my work study all related to teaching.  I then volunteered and helped in the community.  My resume was much longer than my peers and it gave me an advantage

Next is certification.  When a principal is filling a position, they are looking for how to fill different spots, and sometimes this may be half a teaching unit.  Now, it does not apply as much to music, but still having a certification from K-12 instead of just elementary or just secondary helps, having additional certifications helps. 

Finally, the interview.  I've seen great candidates on paper come in and do terrible in interviews.  Be likeable, and be confident.  Stay away from both extremes.  No one wants a fire hose of information, but also, it's okay to think over an answer.  In fact, some of the best interviews I've seen, the individuals will take ten seconds to think about the answer, write a few notes down and then attempt it.  Also, the principal and committee is asking itself is this someone whose personality will mesh well with the rest of the faculty.

Now I can think of a few other things, but in general when you say music are you referring to choir, band, music theory, in general?

As to grades, as long as it's above a 3.0, I wouldn't worry about it.  I would, however, use the university's career services department.

I agree with all of this, especially the experience. I've never been on the hiring end, but I am a teacher and have done the job-application/interview process several times.
Experience can absolutely be volunteer. I did a lot of volunteering with after school programs at a local middle school when I was in college, and this both helped me get to know some teachers/get recommendation letters plus get actual experience and be more confident with the kids and get a better idea of which age groups I liked working with the best.

So yea, that, have the right certifications, show during the interviews that you care about the kids, are a good fit "personality/team-player" wise for the other staff and the school, know what you're getting into and take education/teaching seriously.