Human Resources Questions
What is a teacher pool application?
This is an applicant pool for the district rather than a specific job (e.g., school, grade level, content area)?
Certified vs. classified position.
Classified staff consists of school employees that do not need certification or licensure to be qualified for the job. Meanwhile, certified staff must have certificate that proves they have obtained the necessary credentials and knowledge for the position.
How do I apply for an out of state license?
Each state has a website for teacher licensure which will have information about out of state applicants. Richelle Krotts (coelicensure@uoregon.edu) can also help navigate this process.
How long is reasonable to wait for letters of recommendation?
It depends on the person, however, it would be helpful to give the person you are asking a timeline for when you will need the letter by. This way you can follow-up if you did not receive by that date.
What do I do if I want to work in one district and am offered a job in another district?
If this happens, it would be helpful to contact the Human Resources department in the district to ask about where they are in their process.
What is the difference between a verbal job offer vs. a contract.
Eugene 4J: We usually send out contracts sometime in the fall. Offer letters and new hire orientation letters come out from Danaan after someone has been selected. The district is making a commitment to employ someone with the offer letters (letter of intent). Sometimes I will offer someone a position over the phone or in an email--that is as good as a letter of intent and means that letter is on its way at some point. Based on how much we have going on, it sometimes takes a few weeks for those to get out there. But, if someone gets a verbal job offer from someone in HR, they will have a job.
Restricted License
The license you will receive if you have not passed your ORELA subtest I and II. You can have a restricted license for a year and can renew three times.
How do I apply to teach abroad?
Richelle Krotts (coelicensure@uoregon.edu) can help navigate this process.
What are the best questions to ask a district/principal at the end of an interview?
Prior to the interview, it would be helpful to look at the district website to find out their mission, vision, and district initiatives. This can help to determine which questions you will ask. You might also want to make a list of qualities you are looking for in a district and use the items on that list for developing questions.
If I know that I want to work in one district, should I apply in other districts or just wait on the district I really want to work for?
Interviewing in other districts is helpful for your practice and offers you an opportunity to interview districts and learn about their initiatives. In this, it is good practice to apply for a variety of districts so that you keep your options open.
If I verbally accept a job but then am offered another job that is a better fit, how should I approach this situation?
Eugene 4J: If someone accepts a job offer and then is offered something else they want more, they should just let us know as soon as they make that decision. We want teachers who want to be here (because we have a lot that really do want to be here). Since they haven't officially started yet, there is no 60 day hold on employment. Yes, if someone gets a verbal job offer from someone in HR, they will have a job.
Preliminary vs. Professional License
A preliminary licensee is the first license you get as a new teacher in Oregon. An Oregon TSPC Issued “Preliminary Teacher License” is valid for 3 years, is continuously renewable. After four years of successful teaching plus your MEd, you can apply to advance to a Professional License.
What does the job search timeline look like?
Typically, the bulk of hiring takes place during the months of May and June (mostly June). Additional hiring, however, will take place throughout the summer.
Eugene 4J: We are only hiring from the pool right now. The pool jobs are permanent with positions to be determined later. We probably won't post individual school jobs until August because we have a lot of people in the pool. All August positions will be temporary jobs.
What is a letter of intent?
Eugene 4J: an offer letter is the same thing as a letter of intent.
FTE
Full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE = 40 hours; .5 FTE = 20 hours).
What is appropriate post-interview etiquette?
After your interview, it is helpful to send a thank you email to the person interviewing you (this might be HR if you do not have contact information for the person who interviewed you). In this email you can reiterate your interest and express thanks for their time.
How can I get emails about jobs in the district?
When looking for open jobs, there will be a button allowing you to "subscribe to jobs". This will set you up to receive emails for the jobs at that district.
What do I put down for additional endorsements?
If you plan to complete your ESOL endorsement (even if you have not yet passed your ESOL ORELA but plan to take it), you can include that you have an ESOL endorsement.
How do I read a salary schedule?
Salary schedules will have steps and lanes. A step is an additional year of service as an in-classroom teacher. With each step comes an automatic salary increase. Lanes are determined based on several factors including: college education, professional development through in-service courses and graduate education with increases for each. Every district is different, so looking at the salary schedule is helpful in determining how much you will make if hired.