Teach in Alabama

Welcome Student Teachers!

• ACOE is a Professional Organization for Alabama Student Teachers, Certificated Teachers and Support Staff.
• ACOE Student Teacher membership fees are only $25 per year and can be paid by check, credit card or Pay Pal.
• ACOE Student Teacher Members will receive a 50% discount off of their first year fees as a Certificated Classroom Teacher if they were an ACOE Student Teacher Member the prior year. Regular annual fees for Classroom Teachers are only $189. ACOE Student Teacher Members can upgrade for only $94.50 for their first year.
• ACOE Student Teacher membership includes $1 Million Professional Educators Liability Insurance, Legal Assistance benefits for job protection issues, Professional Development opportunities, member discounts on goods and services.
• ACOE was established in 2001 BY Alabama Teachers FOR Alabama Teachers.
• ACOE is not a union and is not part of any national organization.
• ACOE does NOT contribute to any political party, PAC (Political Action Committee), social agenda, or anyone else.
• ACOE does NOT endorse any political candidates and does NOT tell members who to vote for or how to vote. Instead, ACOE provides members with information so they will be informed and can make their own CHOICES.
• ACOE’s Executive Director and Board Members meet with elected officials at the local and state level to discuss important educational issues and concerns.
• ACOE members can earn a partial to full refund of their membership fees by telling others about ACOE (not available to Student Teacher Members or members receiving a discounted membership).

"Fitting In" as a Student Teacher

It is very important to remember that not only are you a guest of the supporting school, you are a professional educator soon to be seeking a teaching position. Enter into your student teaching with the mindset this is already your job. Remember to hold yourself to the highest standards in what I like to call, the professional educators’ A E I O U. Attitude, Energy, Interest, Opportunities, and Understanding.

Keep a positive Attitude in all situations. The teachers and administration will take note. Avoid any “Teacher’s Lounge Politics” sometimes present in schools. Be careful not to say too much or too little. Over doing it either way can hurt you. Smile, be positive and let others know that you are proud to be a part of their school. Do not grumble about the students, other teachers, food, administration or anything. Keep your attitude in check at all times. A positive attitude will take you a long way.

Your Energy level will help you go the extra mile throughout the day. Get plenty of rest at night and eat a well balanced diet. You will be surprised at how fast you will lose energy when you begin your student teaching. Always leave for the school early with plenty of time to spare. You never know when traffic might hold you up. Never be late to the school and try not to ever leave early. Plan your personal appointments well after the school day has ended. Make every effort to be present for every day of your assignment . If there is an emergency and you must be out, call the school and cooperating teacher as soon as possible to let them know.

Share your educational Interests with the other teachers. It is always good to broaden your professional network of contacts. You never know whom a co-worker knows. By telling them your true educational interest, they might have some good suggestions or contacts that might help you reach your goal. Don’t be pushy. Just be genuine and sincere. Know when to speak and more importantly, when to listen. Ask the other teachers for help when it is needed. Share your ideas with the other teachers and ask them for their input on different topics. It won’t take you long to learn which teachers are going to be helpful and which teachers want to be left alone. When you realize which teachers want to be left alone, show them respect and give them their space.

Look for Opportunities to get involved. Ask other teachers if you can be of assistance to them. Be approachable to the other faculty and staff members. Let them know who you are and that you would like to learn from their expertise. Take the opportunity to meet the office staff, lunchroom workers, janitors and every other staff member. Most people want to be around friendly upbeat people and like I mentioned earlier, you never know who has the ear of the person in charge of hiring. Don’t be “fake” just be you.

Try to be very Understanding of all situations and people you meet. Every student is a “little person” with needs. It is easy to love being around the popular child or educator, but it takes a true professional to openly respect all persons. Also before making a decision, make sure you understand all the facts behind the situation. Sometimes, all is not as it seems. Try to understand when you are asked to do different type tasks from your cooperating teacher or school administration there must be a reason for doing so.

At the end of your student teaching experience, remember to show thanks to the cooperating teacher and administration in some way. A hand written note, a pie (my favorite) or fruit basket are just a couple of ways of saying thanks, and that you hope to be back there soon, like in the fall when the new school year starts, as a part of the faculty.

Student Teacher Packet

ACOE wants to guide and assist student teachers as much as possible. Please feel free to download out Student Teacher information packet via the button below. This packet provides resources and information that will guide you in the process as you work towards your education degree.

Download Packet

Advice and Tips

Thank you for contacting ACOE Student Teacher through the Submit Advice or Tip form. This is a auto-response notifying you that we have received your information. We will respond to your submission as quickly as possible. If you have an immediate need, please call 866-266-2263

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Discounts and Savings

  • CLICK HERE to be redirected to the ACOE Benefits page for all ACOE Members. This link will leave ACOE Student Teacher and redirect you to the ACOE site.
  • Here are some samples of the great savings you can receive: Automotive, Education, Electronics, Finance, Insurance, Flowers, Gifts, Restaurants, Shopping, Tickets & Entertainment and more.
  • FREE Attorney Phone Consultation
  • Up to 15% Savings on Cell Phones and Service Plans, Office Supplies, Hotel Lodging
  • Up to 25% Savings on Auto Rentals, Prescriptions
  • Savings on Select Legal Documents
  • Discounted Initial Legal Office Visit
  • Many additional discounts on goods and services available to ACOE Student Teacher members!
  • CLICK HERE to Visit the ACOE Discount page for members     
Contact ACOE

The Application Process

Each system has it own unique application process. However, many Alabama school systems list their job openings on the Alabama State Department of Education Standard Application job portal site. This job portal allows you to search for teaching positions from across the state.
There are 3 three easy steps to follow in order to apply through this portal:

  • Step One: Create an Account
  • Step Two: Complete your Application
  • Step Three: Apply for Open Positions that are of Interest to you.
ALSDE Job Portal

For all other school systems not listed on the Job Portal site, you must contact their central office and ask for their application procedures. A list of every Alabama school system and school can be found here.

Alabama School System and School Contact Info

The Interview

1. Application Submission:

  • Begin by submitting your application through the Alabama State Department of Education’s official website or the specific school district’s employment portal. Make sure to include all required documents such as your resume, teaching certificates, and transcripts.

2. Initial Screening:

  • The school district’s HR department will review applications to ensure candidates meet the basic qualifications for the position. This includes verifying teaching credentials and relevant experience.

3. Pre-Interview Assessment:

  • Some districts may require candidates to complete a pre-interview assessment, which could include a teaching demonstration, written test, or portfolio submission. This step assesses your teaching skills and knowledge.

4. Interview Invitation:

  • If you pass the initial screening, you’ll receive an invitation for an interview. This may be in the form of an email or a phone call.

5. First Interview:

  • The initial interview may be conducted by a panel of administrators, teachers, or HR representatives. Expect questions about your teaching philosophy, classroom management, and your ability to align with the district’s educational goals.

6. Teaching Demonstration:

  • You may be asked to prepare and deliver a short teaching demonstration. This could involve presenting a lesson plan to the interview panel or even teaching a mock lesson to a small group of students.

7. Reference Checks:

  • The school district will contact your provided references to gather feedback on your teaching abilities and work ethic.

8. Second Interview (if applicable):

  • Some districts may require a second interview, which could be with a different group of stakeholders or focus on specific aspects of the teaching role.

9. Background Check and Certification Verification:

  • A thorough background check will be conducted to ensure your suitability to work with students. Additionally, your teaching certifications will be verified.

10. Final Interview and Job Offer:

  • If you make it to this stage, you’ll likely have a final interview with key decision-makers, such as the school principal or superintendent. If successful, you’ll receive a formal job offer.

11. Onboarding and Orientation:

  • Once you accept the offer, you’ll go through an onboarding process, which may include training, orientation sessions, and paperwork completion.

12. Classroom Observation:

  • During your first few weeks on the job, you may be observed by a mentor teacher or administrator to provide guidance and support.

13. Probationary Period:

  • Some teachers in Alabama may have a probationary period during which their performance is closely monitored. Successful completion of this period may lead to a continuing contract.

Remember, each school district in Alabama may have variations in their specific interview process, so it's essential to thoroughly review the job posting and follow the instructions provided by the district you're interested in. Best of luck with your teaching job application! Is there anything else you'd like to know or discuss about the teaching field or the interview process?

Preparing the Perfect Portfolio

Here are a couple of common questions that future professionals ask when thinking about creating a portfolio.

Why Should I have a portfolio? Reason # 1: Many administrators are now expecting them in interviews. You don’t want to sit in an interview and have a blank face when you are asked for it. Reason # 2. A well done portfolio presents you and your teaching ability in a way that the interview setting normally would not allow. Saying that you believe in alternative assessment is great, but showing proof with examples makes the point stronger!

What is included in a portfolio? Below is a list of common things that are often put into portfolios for education majors, however, use you imagination. Anything goes, as long as it makes you look good and highlights your abilities as a teacher!

  • Table of Contents- This allows the reader to find specific information quickly.
  • Copy of resume – Make sure it is free of all spelling/grammatical errors and on nice resume paper. Have someone proof read it.
  • Sample lesson plans – Ones you used during student teaching that you are particularly proud of. A unit you designed on your own would show your ability to think past the standard school purchased programs.
  • Copy of your transcripts – It does not necessarily have to be the official ones.
  • Letters of reference – These need to be from people who have directly observed you when you were teaching. Cooperating teacher, University professor that observed you, and if you can, get the principal at the school where you were a student teacher to write a letter of recommendation.
  • Letters from professors – These are also fine to use, but from what I understand, they don’t hold as much weight as people who have seen you interact with students. From their point of view, your performance in a college class is not as important your actual teaching abilities.
  • Philosophy Statement – Make it about a half page, you want to make your point and move on. Don’t change your philosophy statement depending on which school you are interviewing. You need to be happy at the school you will teach in, just as much as they need to find someone who will fit the school. Pretending to be someone you aren’t is not a good way to get a job, no matter how desperate you are! It will eventually show that you are in the wrong place.
  • Examples of alternative assessment you have used – If you had students do projects for assessment instead of tests, include proof of that. Assignment sheet, rubric or anything that would show that you know that tests aren’t always the only way to assess what students are learning. Maybe a short summary of how you used that assessment and why you liked it or didn’t like it.
  • Sample student work – Projects work great here.
  • Photographs of you working in the classroom with students – Another visual reminder that you like kids and are capable of being successful in your own classroom. (Be careful when taking pictures of students and their privacy. Get permission from the parents if it shows the students face in the photo.)
  • Awards and certificates – Dig up those certificates for being employee of the month. They are now useful!
  • Teacher Certification Scores – Use at your own discretion.
  • List of questions to ask them – Have some questions written down that will help show your interest in their school. Sample questions would be: How involved are parents with their child’s education in this district? What is the discipline policy at the school? How are the classes distributed (block scheduling, 7 classes a day)? Are there full time counselors/ nurses at the school? And so on……

How do I organize my portfolio? Presentation counts! How it looks, is very important.

  • I personally think the best ones are in nice leather, or leather looking three ring binders. Using a binder is practical  because information can be added and/or removed easily. A table of contents, with dividers to separate the sections is also very practical.
  • Do all typing yourself on a computer using all the computer skills that you own. Use nice fonts, Word Art and other special features give it a high quality look to the portfolio. Knowing your way around a computer and the many different type computer programs might just set you apart from the other applicants. Being computer savvy is a big deal in education right now!
  • Use resume paper throughout the portfolio to make it look just a bit nicer. Plus the paper in the portfolio will then match your resume.
  • The photographs are a definite plus. Good organization of your portfolio will show that you will be able to do the same in your classroom.

50% Off Your First Year Dues As A Classroom Teacher!

ACOE Student Teacher is always looking for ways to save members money. Here is an easy way for you to save 1/2 off of your first year membership with ACOE.

ACOE Student Teachers receive a 50% Discount off first year membership fees as a Certificated Classroom Teacher Member when upgrading membership from ACOE Student Teacher Member to ACOE Classroom Teacher Member, provided they were an ACOE Student Teacher Member the prior year.

Regular membership dues for ACOE Classroom Teacher Members are only $189 per year, however first year membership dues for ACOE Classroom Teacher members who upgrade from an ACOE Student Teacher membership will be only $94.50, for the first full year as a teacher, after the 50% discount is applied.

The discount will be applied in different manners depending on what payment option you select when upgrading. When you are ready to upgrade, please contact [email protected] for instructions on receiving the discount applicable to your payment method selection.

PLEASE NOTE: Your Insurance and Legal Assistance protection as a Student Teacher Member are only effective while you are a Student Teacher under the supervision of an accredited institution of higher learning. Your Student Teacher Member protections will not cover you when you become an employee of a school system. At that point you must upgrade to an ACOE Classroom Teacher membership.

Please remember to request the 50% discount you qualify for when you upgrade to a Classroom Teacher Member.

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