Any teachers in the house? Looking for jobsearch advice..

[FourStarDemocrat]

Hi..I've worked consistently as an elementary substitute teacher since the fall of '2003, in a high-end region, where full time classroom jobs are hard to come by because of so much competition. I've worked (subbed) consistantly in almost all the general ed classrooms of this district, and also (but less frequently) in special education positions (inclusion, resource room, self-contained classes) This district, Principals, teachers are overall happy with me- no complaints. I also work for a second district at a much lesser extent. I get called in every day to eith of those districs, however, most of the principals don't know me that well. I'm also pursuing a second certification in special education. I've mailed several resumes out to other districts, because the one I work for seems to bypass me for longterm job offers, full time postions, etc because they tend to hire people who are well-ingrained already in their system, with family and friend connections.

I got called in for an interview for a substitute longterm leave- replacement position with a new district. The position is a special education teacher who enters into regular classrooms, with fits with some of my substitute teaching experience. This involved substituting on a day to day basis for special educators (although primarily I'm in regular classroom- but the interviewers are most interested in my special-ed substituting) The are also impressed by my pursuance of a second masters in Special Ed, my knowledge of issues in special ed, and my volunteer work within the special education department at my children's schools. The interviewers were very happy with me, and now would like me to obtain 3 references of my supervisors to call. They did not want to look at older refeernce letters from my student teaching and college days. I told them that I have NEVER been formerly observed when teaching, so I cannot not get him a 'formal' reference. The principal said no observation is alright, He'd just like to call a few people/supervisors, or even teachers to check up on me, to make sure that I'm 'reliable'.

So, here's my dilemmna: which ones should I call: Here are the choices as to whom to ask this principle to call for my reference. I need to pick three.

Choice 1. Principle A- she knows I'm in her school often, but is not involved with any employees personally that much. She appears to like me. I've only had one conversation with her in almost two years. She is not generally aware of which teachers I sub for, but she will probrably say something positive.

Choice 2. Principal B- she is happy with my teaching and knows me and is "friendly and personable on the surface, but when I asked her for a reference last year, she said " oh I cannot do that because I've never formerly observed you." She appeared to be annoyed by my request, and directed he callers to place me in other schools in the district for the remainder of the school year in 2004. I also have the most substitute experience in special ed at her school. I could ask her again, since I'm back working there again this year, but I am afraid that she could be a backstabber..

Choice 3. Vice-principal C --she values my work and I'm sure she would have kind things to say about me, but I have mostly General ed teaching experience at that school, not special ed.


Choice 4. A general education teacher at Principal A's school. I have worked for her and all the other teachers in her grade level several times. She would have some nice things to say about me, if she agrees to be called. I did not do much special ed work in her class, but was the classroom teacher- and she does have students with disabilites in her class. I don't know her extremely well, but know her better than most teachers. (I do not know the special education teachers in this school or district well enough to ask them to be called, unfortunately)

Choice 5. A Principal at a district that I less freqently work at. She is very impressed with me, however I've only taught at her school 3-4 times, and it was with regular classes, not special ed.

So, which of these 5 choices would your recommend that I pick 3 from? I'd like to hear people's thoughts..Thanks.