next »

[classicsnerd]

I've done a goodly amount of adjuncting in colleges while deriving my basic income from teaching in private prep schools. Unfortunately for me, Ph.D. and pubbies in hand,  I realize that many college profs (hiring committees) see high school teachers as an inferior breed of nonintellectuals (and I'm afraid I have to agree that many hs teachers are such from my own experiences there).

Any ideas about this possible prejudice and ways to convince entrenched academicians on hiring committees that some hs teachers are, in fact,  smart, academically inclined thinkers and even scholars?

[notaprof]

Your question was just answered on Another Year Down the Drain thread

Especially in this market, I think teaching HS will be considered only a sign that you want to live indoors and eat regularly! I know that the HS schedule makes if terrifically difficult (believe me, I know!), but the best thing you can do to improve your chance of getting hired as things begin to improve is to work on publications.

And it is probably best if you don't refer to them as your "pubbies."

[sciencephd]

I like 'pubbies', it sounds cute.  Never heard that one before.

[notaprof]

I like 'pubbies', it sounds cute.  Never heard that one before.

It sounds high schoolish to me.  Just sayin'.  And it is too close to a word that shouldn't be used in polite company(replace the u with the sound of u in 'usually') so I think best to avoid it.  'Pubs' is a better short name, if someone confuses it with a place to buy beer, it's all good.

[msparticularity]

Any ideas about this possible prejudice and ways to convince entrenched academicians on hiring committees that some hs teachers are, in fact,  smart, academically inclined thinkers and even scholars?

Given that student retention, and teaching inadequately prepared students to do college-quality academic work are the two biggest concerns of so many colleges and universities, I'm thinking you ought to be able to market your high school teaching as great prep for a TT job. Also, I'm guessing from your moniker that you're in classics? If so, the vast majority of jobs in your field may involve at least some teaching service courses (intro to ancient cultures) for the core curriculum, and again your HS experience seems pretty applicable.

In other words, it's only a disadvantage if you slink into the interview and feel ashamed about it.

[voxprincipalis]

1. Why is this in the "Diversity in the Workplace" forum?

2. You will be considered for jobs if your CV, teaching experience, and publications are competitive with those of other applicants. Are they really?

VP

[kedves]

I realize that many college profs (hiring committees) see high school teachers as an inferior breed of nonintellectuals (and I'm afraid I have to agree that many hs teachers are such from my own experiences there).

Be sure to communicate that opinion to the search committee.  Not only will they be impressed by your abilities to generalize from personal experience and recognize inferior and superior breeds, at least one of their number is likely to have a spouse, family member, or friend in that occupation.  How dull the interviewing game would be without self-created danger!