Personal Statements for Teaching
Career Development and Co-Operative Education Office 401TB 613-520-6611
Objectives
• • • • What is a personal statement? Format Content Evaluation Criteria
What is a Personal Statement?
• Autobiographical Narrative – A story of the path you have taken (academic, work and life experiences) which led you to apply for your Bachelor of Education – What you did academically and why – What you have done outside of academia and its relevance to teaching – what you have to offer to the teaching profession and specifically the B.Ed program • Prove your passion - examples, achievements
Format
• Read each question carefully and make sure that you answer each one. • Customize each application. • Many students apply to many programs. Avoid generic personal statements. Send customized personal statements. Use action oriented language. • Have a beginning, middle and end • Use examples and transition from each paragraph smoothly
Format cont.
• Make sure you stay to the length requested. • Re-read the requirements for each school. Some will ask you to highlight experience with your intended teaching age group, future goals, diversity or special needs • Emphasize strengths and explain anomalies
Format cont.
• The format varies WIDELY from school to school. Know what each school wants!
– For example, Brock ask to describe two experiences (100 hours each) and to discuss how this has shaped your understanding of the teaching and learning process. Nippissing lets you have one page to expand as you want, Trent asks in one page to critically reflect on three experiences you have had
• To get the forms online go to: http://www.ouac.on.ca/teas/teas-profiles.html#B
What makes a GREAT teacher?
• Commitment to learning and teaching • Working effectively with children or youth • Organizational skills • Effective communication • Teamwork and collegiality • Adaptability • Creativity • Initiative • Commitment to addressing issues of diversity and equity
First Steps for Creating Content
Conduct self-reflection • What are your motivations for applying to this institution? • What are your interests, skills, and goals and how would you link those to a
classroom?
• How do your personal goals match with the institution and program? Talk about how you expect to contribute to the field of education and to that specific institution. • What insights have you gained from your experiences
Research the Institution
• • • • • • Faculty, Alumni, Admissions, Courses, Specialization and VISIT!
Creating Content cont.
• A practical way to start is to create a time line. Where did your interest in teaching start? Why teaching? Then what? Then what did that lead to? • Past._________Present_______Future • Now mark off any achievements, experiences, learning's, reflections, and accomplishments! • Use these to select what you would like to include in your personal statement
CDCE
Example of a Time Line
Past
Tutored Math Worked Summer Camp
Present
Courses in Child Behaviour Worked Group Home Dean’s List
Future
Guidance Counsellor
Bachelor of Education
Went to Europe
Volunteer Award
SAR
• Situation - volunteered to tutor math • Action or Ability – explained things clearly • Result – child learned quickly and enjoyed learning math
Remember to…
• Get your draft critiqued • Type-written (make sure that it is neat!) • Spelling and grammar are important. • Tone: be genuine, realistic, unique, excited and anecdotal. • Make your aim clear, succinct, and enthusiastic. • Double check: right letters in the right envelopes!
What the Admissions Committees are evaluating?
• Naming your skills and then showing “the fit” or link between your experience, personality, reflections, learnings and teaching • The criteria you were assigned • Writing ability • What you bring to the table • Immediate and long-term goals • Level of maturity and self-evaluation • Dedication, commitment and honesty • Your unique contribution to the institution
Your Number One Advantage In the Application? – YOU!
- Focus on what will make you a GREAT teacher! - Be proud of and demonstrate your passion for teaching. - Prove that you put your best self forward with a well thought out personal statement. - “Market” yourself – ask others to list your best qualities. - Show that you’re more than a transcript! GOOD LUCK!!
Questions about Careers?
www.carleton.ca/cdce 401TB 613-520-6611