Hi! This is my first time posting and I would love some advice or any thoughts you might have.
I am 26 and just finished my student teaching and my elementary licensing program! I'm so excited. I've been applying for jobs for almost a couple of months now. I've gotten several rejections, which is frustrating, but I know it's really tough to get your first teaching job. So, I've just been trying to keep going and stay positive because I want to teach so badly and start my career.
Recently I got a call from a principal I interviewed with. At this school, there is a classroom teacher position and an interventionist position available. The principal said they really like me (and I like them, too, as well as the school) but they have 2 other candidates to watch teach before deciding who gets which position. She offered me a job, but just wasn't able to say yet which position I would be officially offered.
I'm so excited to have an offer period... I would really love and prefer to have the classroom teacher position (and I mentioned this to the principal). But, the intervention position sounds good, too, and at the end of the day, it's a JOB! If I end up getting the intervention position and take it, will this hurt my chances of getting a classroom teacher position in the future? Or could it possibly be seen as "experience"? A classroom position has been my ultimate dream for a while. I just don't want to get pigeon-holed into intervention jobs simply because my first job was as an interventionist.
What do you think? Any input is appreciated and welcomed! Thank you so much in advance
As you said, it is a job, so take it if offered! Besides, as a first year teacher, this is rather great! I do think that interventionists are as important and work as hard as classroom teachers. Besides, you will be able to work with small groups, so you will not be dealing with much discipline problems. I am an ENL teacher, and I work with small groups and I love it. i have been doing it for 2 years. Also, to answer your question about getting a classroom job after having worked as an interventionist, yes, you can get a classroom job. I was offered a classroom job at my school for this school year but I refused, because I do love working with small groups. So, take a job if offered, and when times comes to transition to a classroom job, you will be fine!
I was an intervention teacher my first year. Let me be the first to tell you that it was by far the best learning experience I ever had. It gave me another year to learn the art of teaching while being on my own for the first time with out all of the other pressures the regular classroom teachers have. This really built my confidence up and knew that I could handle my own classroom. The following year I moved into a first grade position and was able to apply all the strategies/ skills/ do's and don'ts I acquired the previous year and had wonderful results. Then in my third year of teaching I moved back to my hometown and had several interviews and offers. They all said working with small groups as an intervention teacher is what made me stand out from the other candidates because that is what all schools/ districts are pushing for at this very moment.
You never know until you try it. It's a wonderful experience and if it's not for you, then you can look for a regular classroom position next year.
Consider that you could end up co teaching in a general classroom with your students included. It's what I do all day, and I totally feel a part of the regular classroom even though I'm an intervention specialist.
My first position was a title one pull out position. It was great because I got to see and work with various grade levels, I learned about scheduling, being flexible, etc., all of which were benefits when it was time to move into a classroom position the following year. Plus, I made my mistakes on a small scale without parental eyes on me (no one really cares about the pull out position). And, best of all, admin leaves you alone. Truthfully, you'd rather have the interventionist position your first year and then move into the classroom.
I'm special Ed and more like a intervention specialist I think
I do small groups most of the day. It is my first year and like someone else mentioned it's a great way to get your feet wet in teaching. Its a lot of work but there are a lot of things I don't have to do that classroom teachers do which is nice
The interventionist job would definitely beef up your resume! It will give you lots of experience with different grades and skills. Good luck with whatever happens!
If you really like the school, I would take the interventionist position if that is all your offered. It will get you in the door of the school. Next year, if a classroom position opens up, they are more likely to fill it internally and you will get a chance to apply before anybody else. And if you end up leaving the school at the end of the year, that position is something to put on your resume that will qualify as experience!
Good luck, I hope you get the classroom job that you want!
I was initially offered a Title 1 intervention teacher position, which I took and loved. I kept the job for three years before moving on to another district, but like many of the other posters have said...it was extremely valuable experience. It allows you to really gain experience with teaching techniques without having to worry so much about classroom management. This experience has come up in interviews and led to wonderful opportunities. Just keep in perspective how many years in total you will be teaching. I remember feeling like I had to get that classroom job right away, too. But think about just how long you will be teaching. When you look back, the year or two as an intervention teacher will just be one part of your overall career.
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05-13-2016, 02:04 AM
