Many teaching positions were saved in the late summer of 2010 after an infusion of federal funds enabled budget-strapped school districts to avoid laying off teachers and having the ability to call teachers back to work that had received pink slip notices in May and June. There is no guarantee, however, that this will occur again in the 2011-2011 school year. There are things teachers can do to protect against potential layoffs or plan for eventual career shifts.
Keeping a Portfolio of Relevant Professional Data
Job retention and promotions often depend on what support documentation can be presented when the need to do so arises. This should include:
- copies of all official evaluations
- written positive feedback from parents and alumni
- newspaper or newsletter clippings highlighting any student activities or projects you have been involved with
- copies of seminars and professional development programs you have attended
- details of any student trips you have planned, facilitated, or led in the past whether domestic or overseas
- memberships in professional organizations
- copies of any articles that you have written and published
- all relevant state or federal certifications such as the National Board Certification program
- details of any summer enrichment programs you have attended whether for college credit or professional development in your field of expertise
Pursuing Continuing Education and Education-Related Part Time Jobs
Teachers that see themselves as vulnerable to potential layoffs should take steps to improve their resumes, network, and pursue options that will lead to either new teaching positions elsewhere or education-related career options. These include:
- enrolling in university courses that will strengthen academic credentials
- diversifying teaching fields by enrolling in degree programs that will make you more marketable
- enrolling in post-graduate school level specialist programs that offer degrees or certifications in specifically focused areas
- teaching part-time courses at a local Community College as an adjunct
- working part-time with tutoring services
- learning on-line technologies enabling you to teach distance learning courses with one of the many for-profit internet colleges
- applying with the College Board to score SAT essays and similar test assessments like the AP
- exploring careers linked to student Foreign Exchange programs
Being Prepared to Make Necessary Changes if Layoffs are Inevitable
All professionals in the contemporary employment climate should pursue steps to improve their resumes, even if job security appears to be positive. Constantly preparing and upgrading, however, is a type of career insurance that lessens the impact of an unforeseen job loss.
Some teachers are in financial situations that allow them to return to graduate school either on a full time or part time basis to pursue other degree options. Other teachers opt to spend a few years teaching in a foreign country. Teaching English and related subjects is in high demand, particularly in Asia and Central Europe.
The love of teaching and the courage to take on classroom challenges should not be dampened when a layoff occurs. Aside from the psychological trauma of losing a job that was loved and took years to prepare for, there are many options teachers can explore that keeps them in education and may even strengthen their professional credentials.
For further tips on improving a teaching career, the reader may find helpful advice in the article on bankrupt-proofing a teaching career.
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