If you are working as a teacher and caring for children with learning difficulties, you might assume that after a little time in the job that you will be given a promotion. However, just because you are doing your job well doesn’t mean that you will automatically be given that promotion that you want. Just because you have worked somewhere for a long time doesn’t mean you will get it either. There are many considerations that an employer will have to make to determine who is best for the role. If you truly feel you are up for the challenge and the responsibilities of a promotion, whether it is a position as the deputy, year group leader, or team leader,
Then here are some of the things you need to be thinking about.
1. Have A Positive Attitude
A positive attitude at work is crucial if you want to make a good impression, and when you are teaching children with disabilities, this is even more important. The job is extremely difficult, and it can be easy to become negative at times. However, if you are always complaining about your work and actively looking for ways not to do it because you are bored or frustrated, why would your employer promote you? If you want to work in a position of responsibility, then having a positive attitude at work will help you; your boss will see that you are taking the job seriously but also that you enjoy what you do. When you combine these things, you make yourself a good candidate for promotion.
Even if there are aspects of your job that you don’t enjoy, don’t complain about them. If you feel that something needs to be changed because it’s just not working, come up with a solution and go to your boss with that rather than just going with a complaint. This will be more helpful and will look good for your promotion too.
2. Get Better Qualified
You can never know too much about any given subject, and when that subject is the sector you work in, it’s vital to keep learning to fill in any gaps in your education. There are many different ways to get this extra knowledge and many different options for you to consider. For example, you might want to gain an additional qualification in the sector you are already working in, which would enhance your chances of a promotion. As a teacher of children with disabilities, you could study for an M.Ed. in Moderate Disabilities.
Think about what you want to achieve out of your career and then work out which education options are going to suit you. Is it so that you can get a specific (promoted) job, or is it so that you can do more and show your employer just how dedicated you are? It might even be for both reasons.
3. Ask For It
Sometimes an employer just won’t know how eager you are for promotion unless you ask them for it. It can be a hard thing to talk about, especially if you are worried they might say no, but if you don’t ask, then you may be passed over simply because your employer had no idea what your hopes and dreams were.
If your employer doesn’t agree that you are the best person for the job, don’t get disheartened. Instead, ask them why they have chosen someone else and what you can do better for next time. That way, you have some goals to focus on and can ensure you are the best person for the job when promotion if offered again.
Featured image source: Edge Hill University
