Education Overview: Jane O'Hare

I began my journey to becoming a teacher at the age of 14 when I started to help coach tennis to younger children. I realized how much I enjoyed working with elementary age children, watching them make progress and gain confidence. On a personal level, I had a very poor middle and high school education. I went to school in a deprived town with teachers who lacked motivation and didn’t care whether students failed (which sadly more than 50% did). This infuriated me and made me want to become an educator where all children count, and all students succeed. I decided that elementary teaching was my passion, and I wanted to share that passion with others, helping students see the value and excitement in learning.

I spent my Junior and Senior years of high school at a sixth form college in England, where the teachers were interested in their students and wanted them to be successful. This changed the trajectory of my life. I had great teachers who gave me confidence to believe that I could go to university and be successful.  

I passed my A-Levels and went to John Moores University in Liverpool where I completed a degree in Primary Education and Physical Education with a postgraduate certificate in teaching. I spent a full year completing teaching practice in schools around Liverpool and this set me up to be ready to start teaching full-time. I began teaching full time in 1999 and have worked in 7 different schools in 4 different countries. International experience has made me a global leader and an advocate for International teaching and global schools. Whilst teaching I have been in administration as a head of English, Head of elementary, phase leader of 4-8th grade, and director of teaching and learning. Seeing education from a leadership perspective has changed my outlook on the demands teachers face and the importance of strong teaching to allow outstanding learning.  

Aspects of my journey that I have loved so far are the joy of working with children and young people. I love the energy and enthusiasm that students bring to the classroom and enjoy building relationships with them.

I love the classroom environment and thrive in a setting where I can interact with a diverse group of people, engage in dynamic discussions, and find joy in seeing students’ progress. Teaching is a calling that is not particularly well paid but enormously satisfying and a career where no day is ever the same.

Navigating the job market as a teacher can definitely have its challenges, but there are ways to stand out and find a position that suits you. Here are some strategies to consider:

Update Your Resume & Cover Letter:

Tailor these to highlight your teaching experience, classroom management skills, and any specialized training or certifications. Show how you can positively impact student outcomes, and make sure your resume includes any tech tools you are proficient with, especially as many schools integrate more technology. If you are new to teaching, include any work experience, particularly if it includes work with children and young people.  

Leverage Networking:

Attend job fairs, professional development events, or local teaching community gatherings. Network with other teachers and administrators—they might know about openings before they’re posted publicly. I actually managed to get my tennis partner’s daughter an interview for a teaching job simply by word of mouth. It is always worth  

Consider Different Types of Schools:

If you’re struggling to find a position in a traditional public or private school, you might investigate charter schools, charter networks, or even international schools. Some teaching positions, like in alternative education or online teaching, could also be a good fit. Some public school systems are very hard to get into, so getting experience in private or charter schools can be a good way to get your foot in the door.

Online Platforms:

Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor often have teaching job listings. You can also check out specialized job boards like Teach.org or your state’s Department of Education website. Educators are on Linkedin all the time and schools will check your social media footprint if you apply for a job with them, so please be careful, when applying for teaching jobs as to what you may have out online.

Certifications and Specialization:

If you're open to expanding your qualifications, consider adding certifications for specialized subjects or student needs, such as ESL, special education, or technology integration. These can make you more competitive.

ESL and special ed qualifications are a huge benefit (particularly reading training such as Orton Gillingham). Any extra experience you can offer (including this course with me) will make you stand out to future employers.

Stay Flexible:

Sometimes, you may need to consider positions that are slightly outside your ideal job description. Long-term substitute positions or part-time roles can lead to full-time opportunities down the line. After returning from New Zealand, I took a maternity cover position for four months and ended up staying at that school for 5 years, so you never know where a temporary position may take you.

Personal Brand:

Build your personal brand as a teacher, showcasing your passion, philosophies, and creative approaches to teaching on social media or platforms like Pinterest or even blogging. Schools and districts may be looking for someone who brings a fresh perspective or innovative ideas. Be authentic as employers can usually tell when a candidate is just saying what they think the interviewer wants to hear.

Be Prepared for Interviews:

When you get the interview, be ready to discuss specific classroom experiences, how you’ve dealt with challenges, and your approach to student engagement. You might even have to do a demo lesson, so practice those. This is very important. Make sure you know as much about the school and the job as you can. Look at school websites, read reviews of schools online, and check niche ratings, etc so it shows you have really taken the time to research and that you are definitely interested in working at that educational establishment,

If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell myself to see the big picture and realize that poor exam results at high school were not the end of the world. I would repeat to myself consistently that I am capable, I am important, and I can achieve anything I want to with hard work and commitment.

Building a career in education requires patience, training and constant listening. Experienced staff have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, so I wish I could tell my younger self to learn from older teachers, go and watch them teach (particularly their relationships with students and their classroom management techniques) as well as their career paths into leadership.

A career in education requires resilience, confidence and the ability to work as a team. You are one of three parties involved; child, parent and educator, and being able to relate on all levels is necessary. I would tell my younger self to ask for help more with communicating with parents, particularly ones that may be difficult. This is tough for young teachers and asking for support is a strength, not a weakness.