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Getting from Casual to Part-Time

by Anonymous

Does anyone have any hints about how to get a job??

I am casual, and this year to date, I have paid to have my two youngest children in care 2 days a week for the entire term, and I have only had 4 days work!!

There are no jobs around for full-time or part-time, I was told that there would be heaps of work for a casual teacher of K-6. I have never held a part-time or full-time position in teaching, having done casual when first graduated from July - Dec 07 and then 12mths off (unpaid maternity).

I have my name down at the 3 local schools; the Catholic school my daughter attends plus 2 public schools. I had one day at one public school in Feb and have never been called again, and 3 days in the other public school in March.

I go in to the schools with a plan for the day and my own resources just in case the teacher hasn't left any work, but in this area (unlike where I did my initial casual work) all the teachers leave their own plan and so I follow that; provided I know what they are talking about.

I've read comments like "here yr 2 do r.reading" Now to me that means running read, where they read from a set text and you mark types of errors they are making, but no such thing was lying around anywhere, and when I asked the other staff, they didn't know what was meant and said a casual shouldn't be doing that, just get them to read independently.

Same teacher has left other vague messages I couldn't work out like spelling is on s.board, have students match 'ee' words to the pics. But I opened everything on the smart board and couldn't find what she meant.

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, or what. I so wish I had my own class, it's very hard as a new teacher to only get 1hr to get my self and my kids into the respective schools/childcare and teach someone else's class.

Comments for
Getting from Casual to Part-Time

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Sep 01, 2009
 Getting Casual Work
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I just thought I would add that you might need to go and see the person who organises the casual teachers. I handed my resume into a local school, where I completed a prac, only to find out a few weeks later the Assistant principal did not receive my resume. I have since been up to the school to speak to the AP in person.
...You just need to get past the office staff (which can be hard at times).
May 13, 2009
 I feel your pain
by: Anonymous

I have had the same experience as you and after a year, I have secured a contract after much rejection! I endorse the comments written previously to mine in relation to professionalism but I really want to offer you this... be prepared to travel further than you would for a regular job as it is the INVALUABLE contact that you want to make with a deputy or principal to act as a referee when jobs come up closer to where you want to work.

School leaders talk to each other and you really need to have a good referee to get your foot in the door - whether it be relief or other work. Once you establish a contact - you will succeed. It's the establishing of this contact which is the hardest! Remember, someone will eventually recognise your talents!
Apr 09, 2009
 Casual Work
by: Kerry

Hi,
I only work casual now. I find work is limited I think because of being on the top of the salary scale. It seems lots of the first year outs get the blocks and more regular work due to economics and have many staffroom conversations with casuals who have found this.

Having said that I have been teaching 22 years and I have been to many schools. The one thing I hear over and over is they love teachers who mark the work!.

I hear constantly that it is very helpful when you leave a plan at the end of the day. I leave a sheet titled: What Did We Do Today? and leave the things we did, any problems, rewards etc:and I always get positive feedback on this and I feel like my day has contributed to the program.
Apr 06, 2009
 casual work
by: Sue

Hi
You need to have your name down at every school you are willing to travel to - that may mean a hundred! Once you are known you will be fine, but getting known is the hard part.

On a casual day, ensure you are friendly, positive, innovative and mark everything you do!!!!! Other staff will notice and word will get back that you are OK.

I don't know where you are from, so it makes it hard to comment on the availability of work. If you are in Sydney NSW, there is usual plenty of work in south-western and western Sydney. By that I mean Liverpool/Campbelltown or Blacktown and beyond. Try contacting all of the Catholic and Independent schools you are willing to travel to also. You will probably have to have an interview prior to receiving any offers.
I know at our school, by winter we can't get enough casuals.
Check the papers as non government schools will sometimes advertise their blocks of work or part time positions. Also check the individual non government schools' websites as they will have position vacant notices. Do this regularly.
Good luck
Apr 05, 2009
 2009 work
by: Flisdidy

Saw your comments re work, don't feel too badly, I pay for after school care for my daughter 3 days a week so that when I get work she is in care on the days she doesn't have after school activities. However, to date this year I have only had 4 days work despite having resumes in at approximately 30-40 local schools!

Having said this though I have friends who have done no casual - get blocks or permanent jobs and friends who are early childhood trained getting work up to year 6!

To my mind, there is no rhyme or reason but am crossing my fingers that work will pick up after the Easter break (have been advised that I need to sneak into a few staff rooms and sneeze in the milk to cause some illness!) Good luck with finding something, Flis.

PS I applied for some permanent jobs at the end of last year and was told I need more experience and to approach some schools for a block. In my experience getting a block is almost akin to winning the lottery, and not something you approach a school to ask for.

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