CANDIDATES- Submitting your Résumé and Coverletter


Please submit your resume and any other accompanying information (cover letter, portfolio, pictures, statement of philosophy, etc.) to Orpheus Crutchfield:

orpheus@strategenius.org

 

Education, worldwide, is in a crisis.  We have an impending teacher shortage (estimated to begin in earnest in 2008), with the baby boomers retiring enmasse.  Numerous studies have shown that we will need hundreds of thousands of new teachers in the next few decades.  And there is a particular need for more teachers of color.  In the 1990's, the US Department of Education estimated that the teacher population had these demographic statistics:

While the number of students of color in the United States continues to increase, with particular states (like California) reaching 40% and more, the teacher diversity pool is decreasing. There are 7% African Americans, 4% Latino teachers, 1% or less than 1% Asian American teachers,  1% or less than 1% American Indian teachers, and the rest "other."

With this reality looming, StratéGenius was formed.  We offer candidates access to teaching opportunities both domestically and internationally.

WHY CHOOSE StratéGenius.org TO REPRESENT YOU?

There are many paths to obtaining faculty and administrative positions- but there are few effective routes. You can apply directly, you can get a referral, or you can get a professional to help you, bottom line is- there are more effective ways than others.

This is a different service than what other firms offer. Unlike others, where you are literally just a number towards a placement fee, at StratéGenius.org- we know you by name, we know what you are looking for and we will not send you to a school which does not take diversity seriously.

If you are qualified and have something special to offer, you will not be one of a pile of resumes sent to the same school or organization with no personalization, as others do. If you presently use another agency, read what they write about you in their cover letters to schools- is that personalization? With StratéGenius.org, you are special and will represented by someone the schools have high regard for; they will take your candidacy seriously because we will advocate your abilities as we help find the right fit for you and for the school. For us, it is better not to have a placement, than to have a bad fit.

To start this initial conversation, email your resume to Orpheus Crutchfield at:

orpheus@strategenius.org
 


Requirements

We serve three candidate populations:

1) Successful, experienced teachers and administrators- (minimum two years or more of self-contained classroom experience, or administrative experience)

-  These professionals have the widest range of opportunities open to them: full faculty and administrative domestic positions, full faculty and administrative international positions, mentoring positions, etc.

-  These candidates command positions of leadership and top salaries in a school; especially for candidates of color, there is often an expectation that you will realize the need in a school or nonprofit to be a role model for students of color, white students, and faculty.

2) Potential teacher and administrator candidates- (new, often young graduates and career changers; even undergraduates in some markets)- these candidates are often called interns or fellows

3) Nonprofit professionals- both experienced and intern/fellow candidates

Interest in teaching

Interest in traveling

Love of learning and children

Candidates Prep/Job Placement Information

211 college placement officials ranked qualities they believed 
employers are seeking in today's job candidates:

Team player
Intelligence
Professional demeanor
Organizational skills
Friendliness
Ability to take orders
Sense of humor
Entrepreneurial skills
Beauty
Loyalty
Ability to start right away

I would add: ability to relocate for a great opportunity!  Also add, ability to thrive in a diverse environment.
 

 

Thank-You Note Could Seal the Deal


By Anita Bruzzese
 

You probably can still hear your mother's voice nagging you to write a thank-you note to Aunt Millie for the truly boring underwear she gave you (again) for your birthday. You groaned, you moaned, but after a few bodily threats from Mom, you gave up the fight and fired off a thank you note.

"Dear Aunt Millie," you wrote, "Thanks for the underwear. I'm fine. Hope you are the same."

Not exactly stellar stuff, but it got the job done and Mom off your back.

Now that you are grown, you are supposed to write thank-you notes on your own - and not just in your personal life. The world of business may be fast-paced and at times, pretty cutthroat, but good manners still count for quite a bit. In fact, those who show proper etiquette in the workplace often distinguish themselves because they have shown grace and style when many others seem to have forgotten it - or never learned it in the first place.

Let's take, for example, those pesky thank-you notes that you used to avoid. Now, they are critical to your reputation in the business world as a mature, thoughtful, professional being.

When do you send a thank-you note? After a conversation that netted you some helpful advice or insight, after a professional dinner where someone else picked up the tab, after receiving help from a colleague to plan a conference, etc. But let's be very clear here: Always, always, always, send a thank-you note after a job interview.

This is one of the most critical steps that often is forsaken by job candidates who may feel that a spoken "thank you" after an interview does the trick, or even a hurried e-mail message after an interview. Nope. That ain't gonna cut it.

A written thank-you note will be added to your interview file. It will stick in the mind of the interviewer and will give you a last chance to create a good impression.

But remember: a thank-you note is not powerful unless it is well done. In fact, a sloppy, ill-conceived one may leave the lasting impression that you're not a good job candidate, just a real dweeb.

So here are some pointers on writing that top-drawer thank you note:

  • Keep it short but not too short. "Thanks a lot for the interview," isn't enough. Try something like, "I just wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to interview with the XYZ Company on Dec. 2. I enjoyed meeting you and the other members of your team to discuss the position of systems analyst." Then go on to describe something specific that will place you solidly in the interviewer's memory ("It was a pleasure hearing about your first assignment in my hometown of San Francisco.") In the second paragraph, restate the qualifications and experience that make you the best candidate for the job.
  • Keep it perfect. The note should be typed, with no spelling or grammatical errors, on quality paper. Sign your letter in your own handwriting, with your typed signature beneath it.

     
  • Be timely. Don't wait more than 24 hours after an interview to send the note.

     
  • Shine your star one more time. In the last paragraph, express your enthusiasm for the job and your commitment to do your very best.

     
  • Search your memory. If you feel that you forgot to mention something critical in the interview, use your thank-you note to go over the point.

     
  • Follow-up. Tell the interviewer that you will call in a few days to check on the status of the job.

Anita Bruzzese is author of Take This Job and Thrive, (Impact Publications). Write to her c/o: Business Editor, Gannett News Service, 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, Va., 22107. For a reply, include a SASE.

Special to Gannett, Copyright 2003 Gannett Co., Inc. All rights reserved.


If this is interesting to you, or to your friends- email us, we will get you started for the 2004-2005 academic year:
orpheus@strategenius.org, or call Orpheus Crutchfield @ 510-685-0861

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StrateGenius name and Logo are trademarks of Pyramid Bridging. All other products mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to orpheus@strategenius.org

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Copyright © 1999 Pyramid Bridging. All rights reserved.
Last modified: Thursday July 03, 2008.