Tips for completing school district application forms:

 

All school districts handle the application process differently. In general, however, you will be asked to complete an application form at some point for each district to which you apply.

 

Most school districts now post an application form on their individual web sites. The school web site is always the first place you should go as an applicant to learn about the entire process to apply for a specific position. Typically this information can be found in an “employment” or “human resources” section on the school’s web site.

 

You will notice many similarities among the application forms school districts use both in Iowa and across the U.S. These similarities, and the fact many application forms are now on-line, makes the process much easier for applicants.

 

Once you have created answers to certain questions such as, “Why do you want to become a teacher?” or “Give a brief overview of your philosophy of teaching,” save those answers to your computer. Save each application form you complete to your computer. You will find similar questions on many application forms and can “paste in” answers you have already created. This will save you a great deal of time during the application process.

 

There is no need to “reinvent the wheel” each time you complete an application form. You can utilize answers you have already created to general questions. Of course, questions that relate to a specific topic at an individual school require your unique answer to that specific district.

 

All application forms you submit to school districts should be proofread carefully and have a professional, polished look. Application forms are an important piece of the application process for teachers, and thus you need to take great care in creating a document that highlights your individual skills and attributes as an educator.

 

You should feel free to contact UNI Career Services with any questions you may have about the application process for teachers.