Teacher Recruitment Resources

Helping teacher candidates prepare for and navigate the job search with confidence.

Student teacher reading book to kids in classroom
TU prepares the best teacher candidates. Now we want you to show it to the world!

These resources have been curated specifically with teacher candidates in mind. For example, the sample resume provides more than a template; it’s extremely annotated to demonstrate specific points that will elevate your resume to a dynamic document worthy of acing applications AND interviews.

Preparing Your Resume

Use the guidelines below to help you provide a resume that is professional and presents you as a well-qualified, unique candidate. The Career Center provides resume critiques via email for teacher interns at .

Application Process

You probably have questions about what to expect during the application process. And is every school system’s process the same? We asked some of Maryland’s local school systems some of those questions for you. Check out their directions and advice below.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Baltimore County Public Schools

Harford County Public Schools

Montgomery County Public Schools

Visit the District Teacher Recruiting Events webpage to learn about new recruiting opportunities from school district partners.

District Teacher Recruiting Events

Interview Preparation

Advice from HR representatives in some of Maryland’s public school systems about the application process, what to expect and how to prepare.

  • Familiarize yourself with the school system/district/school; learn as much as you can about the mission, philosophy of teaching/learning, communities, curriculum, growth, issues of the school system; think about examples from your experience that connect you to these communities.
  • Review/practice general and content-specific questions (sample topics follow this section; sample questions appear at the end of the guide).
  • Prepare examples from your experience that demonstrate your “fit” with the school’s/system’s philosophy, culture and curriculum.
  • Practice with Big Interview. Record and review practice interviews with industry-related questions.
  • Professional Attire: Blend In to Stand Out (PDF) — Your professional image is very important in your career search. A polished, confident appearance helps to introduce you as an individual who is qualified and capable. Keep in mind that it is important to adhere to your own cultural and/or religious norms. If any of the above suggestions conflict with those norms, wear what is culturally appropriate.

Interview Performance: Effective Presence and Responses

  • Greet employer by name and make direct eye contact; offer a firm handshake; if a handshake poses discomfort for you, a nod or other acknowledgment of greeting or respect is appropriate
  • Display confidence; avoid displays of nervousness
  • Tune in to non-verbal messages (yours and the employer’s); guard your posture — sit up straight, make eye contact and be expressive, even while listening!
  • Highlight your strengths
  • Share accomplishments/PROVIDE EXAMPLES
  • Discuss professional goals
  • Take notes; ask the employer to repeat a question or statement that is unclear; take time to formulate your response
  • Focus; provide a concise but thorough response; don’t ramble or evade the question
  • Use proper English, diction and grammar; know the difference between confidence and cockiness and display appropriately
  • Avoid speaking poorly of colleagues, schools/systems or students
  • Prepare 3-5 questions to ask the employer; the interview is a two-way street
  • Ask for the employer’s business card so that you can follow up with a thank-you note

Interviewing is a skill that takes thoughtful preparation and lots of practice

Additional Interviewing Resources Practice with Big Interview

Interview Process and Key Points for Teacher Recruitment

Although the specific process may differ from one county/school system to another, generally you can expect a three-step process:

  1. Preliminary/screening interview — held at a central location or teacher recruitment event; conducted by trained interviewers and/or school administrators; questions not content-specific; portfolio use limited
  2. Curriculum interview — content-specific interview; conducted by curriculum staff; portfolio optional
  3. School-based interview — conducted by administrator(s); may include instructional/team leader; use of portfolio encouraged

Key Points

Throughout the interview process, through every phase and at every opportunity, you want to convey these key skills and abilities so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and be sure you prepare great examples that demonstrate these aspects of your experience:

  • philosophy of teaching and learning
  • instruction skills, including both short- and long-term planning for that instruction
  • classroom organization and management philosophy and skills
  • teaching strategies, instructional delivery and assessment — How do you make sure you achieve your objectives? The interviewer is looking for your commitment to teaching and learning and is asking the question, “Can this person deliver?” Know the lingo, for example, words such as “performance matrix”
  • understanding of how students learn differently, including how various instructional styles are used with all learners
  • communication and interpersonal skills
  • understanding of students with special needs and how they are integrated into your classroom
  • your commitment to professional growth and how you plan to improve as a teacher

Early Offer Considerations

What if I’m offered a contract at a networking or recruiting event?

Below are recommended questions you could ask if offered an “open contract,” “advance contract,” “early offer letter,” etc. These questions were generated in the Center for Professional Practice and reviewed by the Career Center and Towson’s Office of General Counsel. Review the if/then scenarios and the pros and cons of accepting or not accepting each type of offer.

  • Is this position a good fit for me and something I would like to pursue?
  • If I am not interested in the position, how can I turn down the offer in a respectful and professional way?
  • What would accepting the offer mean for me and my life?

Here are sample questions that you could ask recruiters:

  • How long do I have to think about this offer before I need to accept or decline? Can I ask for more time?
  • May I take a copy of this written offer with me so I can review it carefully before signing?
  • If I sign this, is it binding on the school system? Meaning — if I sign this, am I guaranteed a teaching position in my field of certification? By what date are final placements made?
  • If I sign this, is it binding on me? Meaning — if I sign this because I am very interested in working in your school system, am I still free to interview elsewhere without any negative repercussions?
  • May I accept another offer elsewhere without any negative repercussions? If so, what is the latest date by which I can accept another offer?
  • What will the process be for matching me with a school? Will I be assigned to a school or will I have the opportunity to interview with and consider more than one school?

Certification

Towson University Teacher Certification

Visit our Towson University Teacher Certification website as a starting point regarding certification questions for certification in Maryland and other states.

Maryland State Department of Education Certification

For additional questions about certification in Maryland, please contact the Maryland State Department of Education.

Maryland State Department of Education

  • teachers and principals and central office
  • key resources > educator certification
  • educator certification

Contact Information:

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: 410-767-0406