Note: this piece was previously published in October of 2019 on the Meemic blog.
In
my new role this year, I have had the strange experience of having someone talk
ABOUT me while a stand to the side and wait. It’s necessary to be introduced in
these settings, but it can be…awkward, to say the least.
The
first time this happened over the summer, the person read my official bio
(which I wrote) out loud to a roomful of non-educators. I sat there, smiling,
trying to keep my smile natural, as the presenter called my résumé
“impressive.” I gave my remarks, and afterwards, a couple of other folks said
it, too: “you have an impressive résumé.”
Teachers—I
know you feel this with me—umm...what? My “résumé” is...teaching. Lots of stuff
to lots of kids over lots of years. How is that impressive? (One side note: we
teachers are a pretty humble bunch, which is part endearing, part irritating to
non-teaching people.)
I
remember trying to actually create a resume a few years ago and thinking, “what
in the world can I put on here that would in ANY WAY describe what I actually
do?” Since then, I’ve had other teachers ask me the about that same
overwhelming task.
I
did a little digging about résumés to try and narrow this down for us. A
teacher résumé will look a little different from a business résumé. For
example, be sure to highlight your awards, skills and technology acumen. Also,
keep it short—two pages at the most. I found these tips pretty
helpful. Use objective statements and bold headlines, like this piece recommends.
So
I want to give all my educator friends a little advice. Take some time to write
down all you’ve done—the classes and grades you’ve taught, the committees
you’ve led or been a part of, the teams you’ve coached, clubs you’ve sponsored,
concerts you’ve organized and conducted, mentorships you’ve taken on for little
or no pay, professional development you’ve presented, conferences you’ve
attended, school and/or community outreach projects you’ve coordinated, the
awards you’ve received...ALL OF IT. Write it down.
Most
importantly, go for it. No matter if you’re applying to write for an online
publication, applying for your first teaching position, expanding to be an
instructional coach, or something in a different branch of education
altogether, you are qualified, you are smart, and you should make it happen for
yourself. You encourage your students to follow their dreams all the time—have
the same excitement and belief in yourself.
Or
better yet, type it and print it. Then have someone read it out loud in front
of you, preferably someone who is not in education.
You have an impressive résumé, my
friend. Own it.
