WILL my criminal convictions prevent me from getting a teaching job?

Question

About 10 years ago I picked up 4 convictions for an alochol problem that I used to have.

Nothing to do with theft, violence, children etc.

They were 'Drunk in a public place' 'Drunk on a public highway'.

My question is, will this stop me from getting an interview (application form require that I state that I have previous convictions). I cannot lie, besides the college would require a CRB check.

I have not drunk for 7 years. Returned to college and obtained a 1st in my BA and have passed recently passed the PGCE (post 16).

So far, none of my applications have resulted in interview.

Your honnesty would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Well as you know you have to declare these convictions- they show up on CRB forms anyway.

As a former head  of department I used to read applications. The school saw the CRB check results. If I had 10 good applications and one of them had the convictions you describe, it would not have done you any favours in the short listing process.

Someone "drunk in a public place" and "drunk on a public highway" clearly used to have a drink problem.  Also you have a total of four drink related convictions. This looks pretty bad. Who is to say you don't still have a drink problem? They only have your word for that.

If someone had been appointed with four drink related convictions and they turned up boozed in school time, someone on the school govenors would complain i.e. saying "what did you expect"

One the other hand if you have a PGCE in one of the non shortage subjects, you should expect a load of rejections before you get an interview.

Also who is to say that the stress of teaching wont turn you back to drink?

You asked for honesty and I have tried to tell it like it is.

I will try and be positive here. You might help prove that you no longer have a drink problem by working voluntarily for a drink problem related charity and using them as an additional reference or making a point of this in your letter of aplication.

Answer 2

When you complete your application form you must be very honest with your convictions.  Lying about them only makes the employer think you have much more to hide.  In terms of working with children it should not affect your chances of an interview.  However people are sometimes not that understanding that not everyone's lives run smoothly.  Therefor my advise is that you add to your application some information that you would be willing to discuss the convictions if you were successful in gaining an interview.  Honesty is the best policy.

Answer 3

Honesty is the best policy, good luck

Answer 4

In this country, it would depend on the type of conviction.  If they were felonies, you would probably not be able to get a teaching job.  If merely misdemeanors, you may be able to get past that.  I can see, however, that you are not in the U.S., so you would need to check on this with the Board which licenses teachers.  Their restrictions are usually posted online.

Answer 5

I dont think you will get in, sorry

Answer 6

I would think not if no dishonesty, violence, or indecency was involved.....

Answer 7

Imagine you where the person hiring a teacher. You have 25-100 applications and 1 guy with felonies.

The first thing i would do is remove you from the top of the list because of liability. If you showed up to work drinking and beat a kid I would then be on the news having to explain why I hired you knowing your a felon. This may not happen but why take the chance when I have 99 people that are qualified non-felons.

I would guess that they run a background on teachers; if they don't then pretend it never happened or you will never get a job.

Answer 8

Maybe, Its a case that your not by any law, obligated to inform a prospective employer. Not the case if it were more serious crimes. If your clean and sober now thats all that will stand to you.

Answer 9

Hi You should not be discriminated against for this.  You should get a job without any problems as long as it doesnt related to children etc and your cv is OK! (as always)

I know someone who works in a school secondary and they have just applied for another job and got interview with quit a serious conviction which is also quit recent.  I know heads who have appointed staff with convictions dont think it is a big issue as a few people in schools have them!

Answer 10

i think you should ask that to an psychologist

Answer 11

I retired from the Missouri Department of Corrections, to work there you can not have had a felony charge for certain charges. However, there were people there that had drinking charges against them, but after 5 years, with a clear record, they were considered for hire.

I would think a teaching job(which is in demand)would condider your app.

Answer 12

only felonies will prevent you from being hired...

Answer 13

A good thing might be to ask someone from the human resources department at a local school district. Dress nicely, present yourself well, and briefly explain the situation and ask the question. This might even give someone in the human resources dept a chance to see you and put a name with a face.

You could also check with your State Dept of Education to see if there are any state restrictions.

I landed my first teaching job last year after two years of sending out applications -- often times without even receiving the courtesy of a rejection letter!  My first year in the market I couldn't find a job, so I got my "foot in the door" by subbing.  It gave me the chance to meet the principals/administration and other teachers and quietly let them see me prepared, on time, and excited about teaching.

I think jobs are hard to find in some areas of the country for new teachers, but I think you find a district that can work with something that happened 10 years ago!  

Good luck to you.

Answer 14

Well yes, alot of people have trouble getting jobs because they cannot get legal clearance. Silly when you have no abuse conviction. Try talk to a teacher and get their point of view.

Answer 15

Judging by the fact that you have done so well and have started on good career path, you obviously have overcome the alcohol problem. It is unfair, but true that many people who are the best candidates for the job are often disregarded at the application stage for being honest. However the employment market is hard and even without convictions, one can struggle for a long time to find employment. I have experienced this in the past and know that at some point some one will see the value in you. To improve your chances of getting employment, I would suggest seeking advice from those who know the teaching field. I have come across teaching organisations on the net before. Government web sites may cover some of the issues that you are facing. You will have to use that search engine to find legitimate organisations that can help. Also take up volunteer work if you can doing whatever is available so that you can start to build a history and a list of referees. Most of all, hang in there, be positive, you will get there!