Considering Leaving the Classroom? Get Hired in K-12 Virtual Education

With the demand for virtual schooling absolutely exploding since the onset of COVID-19, thousands of K-12 teachers were thrown into online teaching with little to no warning or preparation. Many of these teachers floundered, feeling helpless and overwhelmed with not just the technology but the inability to “reach” their students over the internet. Others absolutely thrived, discovering a new way to deliver curriculum and make human connections from a distance.

Yet before there was COVID-19, online K-12 education certainly existed; it just wasn’t as mainstream. Virtual programs lurked in the shadows of brick-and-mortar teaching. For the seasoned online teachers, Coronavirus changed very little. These existing educators saw an influx in enrollments, larger class sizes, and a mass of struggling “new-to-virtual” learners, but it was still business as usual. Now, as more educators experience online instruction, and COVID-19 continues to grace us with its presence, many feel like cyber learning is here to stay.

What about those classroom teachers that were thrown to the digital wolves? How did they fare? Some absolutely despised it, to be frank. They missed the kids. They felt isolated. Their frustration with available digital tools, program disorganization, and the lack of young human beings in their presence was palpable. Yet, despite how many unhappy educators emerged from this societal curve ball, some teachers took the change in stride. They rolled with the punches, quickly learned new software, and embraced working from home. Some got a taste of the good life and they never want to leave.

Are you one of those teachers? If so, you’re not alone.

Here are five tips for educators who loved this new remote challenge and never want to return to their K-12 brick and mortar classroom:

1. Get on LinkedIn. Starting a professional network using LinkedIn (https://www.dhirubhai.net) is the first step to being recognized as an online educator. Create a profile that best represents you. Include a clear headshot or school yearbook photo, lay out your work experience including all positions, awards and accolades, and start connecting with anyone you’re proud to know. Begin following top professionals in your field — district administrators, CEOs and executive leadership personnel of companies that interest you, and other teachers, especially ones who are also making the physical-classroom-to-web transition — and interact with their posts to gain visibility and improve your program algorithm.
2. Search for jobs daily. When I’ve hired teachers in the past, I’ve started reviewing applications immediately. The first qualified applicants get the first round of interviews. The earlier teachers apply, the better, so my recommendation is to search for jobs every single day. Bookmark the top job search sites like Google, Indeed, Facebook, FlexJobs, EdSurge, GlassDoor, and Monster. Attend job fairs both in person and online. Job agencies, national professional organizations, specific company websites, and employee referrals are also valuable resources for the job-seeker.
3. Schedule coffee chats. Once you start making connections, especially from your LinkedIn profile, begin reaching out to professionals who may interest you. Invite them to have coffee or to a Zoom lunch. Ask about their job responsibilities, how they prepared for their current role, and what opportunities they can suggest for someone wanting to teach virtually. The goal of a coffee chat is to gain some type of insider information and the quickest way into a new role is through a professional contact. Use brief and inquisitive coffee chats, either in person or virtual, to foster these connections and branch out socially.
4. Update your resume. Always have a digital version of your resume ready to send to a potential employer or business contact. While writing your resume, focus on the skills you have gained from teaching, not just your work titles and experiences. Get creative — in the bullet points under your work experience, focus upon projects in which you’ve participated, stressing your technological prowess. List any relevant software programs in which you’ve been trained including Learning Management Systems (LMS), Student Information Systems (SIS), and productivity software. Additionally, make sure your resume lists your active teaching certifications. Include the state, subject(s), and grade level(s). This makes it easiest for recruiters and hiring managers to pinpoint exactly what you are eligible to teach and determine if and where they have a place for you. Finally, yes, you really do need to tailor every resume and cover letter to every new job opportunity. Don’t skip this one.
5. Dust off your interview skills. Online teaching jobs are unique in that they stem from a variety of company types. Some posted positions may be for public virtual institutions, while others might be listed by charter schools or private programs. Many virtual academies are even run by educational technology (ed tech) companies, making it more of a corporate setting for instructors. No matter what route you go, research and know your audience to prepare for the type of questions you may be asked. Above all else, remember this: if asked why you are interested in teaching online, avoid singing the praises of remote employment. Employers don’t want to hear that you are applying so that you can work from home; they want to hear that their teacher candidates are student centered, flexible, tech savvy, motivated to reach the seemingly unreachable, and have a collaborative spirit. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been interviewed, ask to role play with a friend or family member — seriously. Some of the best candidates on paper may be passed over for employment because they were simply unprepared and unrehearsed. (YouTube has fantastic video resources for interview tips and tricks.) Above all, as with any search for new employment, be on your best behavior. Smile, make eye contact, listen attentively, minimize background noise, dress professionally (yes, even for Zoom!), and confidently (but not arrogantly) show what you bring to the table.

Online K-12 education certainly serves a unique purpose. Virtual teachers are able to deliver lessons with greater flexibility and differentiation, appeal to diverse and sometimes unconventional student lifestyles, and engage learners who may not be as successful in a traditional setting. It is important to remember, though, that virtual instruction is more than just “teaching from home.” It can mean a complicated work/life balance, frequent feelings of isolation, and a steep technological learning curve.

This lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’ve already been a classroom teacher, you’re ready for it. Start making connections immediately, be tenacious, patient, and open minded, and you will be better prepared for when an opportunity presents itself.

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