How to: Applying for a job with the DET
From TeacherWiki
Applying to the Department of Education can be a complicated and uncertain business. This guide should iron out some of the difficulties and frequently asked questions that I have heard about the process and the interview.
NB: Throughout the application process, check your email junk/spam folder frequently as emails from the DET have been known to show up in there.
Contents |
The Application Process
The application process has four stages:
- Online application
- Submission of documents
- Interview
- Interim Casual Teaching Approval
The result of the process leads to being appointed to a school as a targeted graduate or being ranked according to your merit on the graduate teacher list.
Starting your application
The Graduate Recruitment Program (GRP) website is the place you start the application process. It contains information that you will need to read, regardless of how informative this wiki will be. Click on 'Apply Now' on the right hand side of the GRP website then on 'Graduating Teacher Application' to begin the online application.
The Online Application
This section requires you to provide information regarding your qualifications, units of study, citizenship, teaching areas, employment preferences, areas of expertise and special aptitudes. Find a list of the questions and more information regarding the declarations here.
Do I have a special aptitude or area of expertise?
Qualifications or qualities that can be verified by documentation, i.e. coaching certificate, musical instrument teacher certification., should be included to enhance your application. The FAQ on the GRP site explains the criteria for these: Special Aptitudes and Expertise FAQ
School Location Preferences
When indicating your preferences for schools, try to put as many as you can in a wide range of areas. This increases your chances of being offered a position. Do not, however, indicate schools for which your would not or have no intention of working.
Do you wish to apply for Employment in Schools with Significant Aboriginal Student Enrolments?
Be aware that ticking this box on the preference page requires you to fill out an additional supporting statement for your interview; you are also required to book an interview with an Indigenous representative present. Check the GRP Website for more details.
At the end of the online application process, login to your application via the GRP website and make sure to book an interview and request your interim teaching approval.
Submission of Documents
The documents required to complete your application depend on individual circumstances. The essential documents for your application are:
- All your professional experience reports (if you have not recieved your final report, you may submit this at your interview.
- Two forms of identification. One each from List 1 and List 2
- Your official academic transcript to date. (USYD students check the student centre website for details.)
- Prohibited Employment Declaration and Consent to Employment Screening forms. (NB: You must use the forms emailed to you in the *.pdf document on the completion of your online application)
- Two character references (found in your application summary *.pdf)
Check the supporting documentation website for further details.
The Interview
The personal suitability to teach interview is an opportunity to show your proficiency in the NSW Institute of Teachers graduate attributes. For the purpose of the interview the DET assesses your understanding of the seven elements through your verbal responses as well as a supporting statement:
Professional Knowledge
- Element 1: Teachers know their subject content and how to teach that content to their students
- Element 2: Teachers know their students and how they learn
Professional Practice
- Element 3: Teachers plan, assess and report for effective learning
- Element 4: Teachers communicate effectively with their students
- Element 5: Teachers create and maintain safe and challenging learning environments through the use of classroom management skills
Professional Commitment
- Element 6: Teachers continually improve their professional knowledge and practice
- Element 7: Teachers are actively engaged members of their profession and the wider community [1]
Commonly Asked Questions in the Interview
This list is by no means exhaustive, you should have a response prepared for each element.
1. How will you cater for the needs of students in a mixed ability classroom?
2. From start to finish, how would you plan, implement and assess a unit of study?
3. Why do you want to be a teacher?
4. How do you intend to continue your own professional development?
5. What do you do if you suspect a student is being abused/mistreated? NB: The answer they want here (Mandatory Reporting) is: you would notify your school's principal.
The Supporting Statement
The supporting statement is taken into consideration by the interviews prior to your interview. The statement is a chance for you to summarise your professional knowledge, skills and beliefs about teaching.
Some tips for writing a good supporting statement:
- The interviewer will only have 10 minutes to read your statement: therefore, be concise and to the point.
- Do not exceed the space on the template (use size 11 or 12 font).
- You do not have to include ALL the information you know about a certain question in the supporting statement, it may be helpful for you to write down the main points and prepare verbal anecdotes to place your skills and knowledge in context.
- Make sure you include any skills you have acquired from part-time jobs, sports, community activities - relate these to generic skills that are transferrable to teaching. For example: dealing with a dissatisfied customer in a retail job = conflict resolution skills.
- Be honest and sincere (within reason) about why you want to be a teacher: the interviewers do not like to read or hear that you are doing teaching for the great holidays.
- Have a few stories from your practicum placements to put everything in an authenic context.
Make sure you look at the interview page for a list of documentation required for your interview.
Interim Casual Teaching Approval
Once your application and supporting documentation has been processed (including your final practicum report) you will be emailed your interim teaching approval. You do not necessarily need to have completed your interview to get the interim approval - the sooner you have all your documents in, the sooner you can start teaching.
References
- ↑ GRP Website: Candidate Selection Criteria, http://www.teach.nsw.edu.au/grp/interview/i-selection_criteria.htm, accessed 04/04/08
