Applebatch.com is helping teachers to proactively manage their careers

Online, October 15, 2009 (Newswire.com) - CHICAGO, IL Oct. 14, 2009 - Applebatch.com, a Chicago-based K-12 professional community, is teaching teachers how to network like business professionals. Applebatch connects over 3,400 teachers online and is hosting their first K-12 networking event on Oct. 22nd at Martini Park in downtown Chicago. The event, Ed Cocktail, will enable teachers to network with other teachers, principals and administrators.

"Teaching has been viewed as a job with no career path and many schools don't utilize best practices from the business world to connect, mentor and retain their employees," said George Hammer, CEO of Applebatch.com. "Therefore, teachers lack the support network to be successful in their current jobs and the career assistance to help them find new jobs."

Over 75% of teachers change jobs at Chicago Public Schools in the first two years. And, 70% education majors graduated school in 2009 and are still looking for teaching jobs. Applebatch is hosting Ed Cocktail to help teachers find the job they want through tapping a diverse network. In fact, 80% of the best openings are never published until a principal already has a candidate to fill the role. Teachers need to learn how to network and get the inside track to finding a job.

The number one reason for teacher turnover is burnout in the classroom. With a more diverse student body, teachers need access to a diverse group of experts to help them be successful. Applebatch will connect teachers to teachers, teachers to principals and teachers to other industry experts via Applebatch.com and Ed Cocktail networking event series.

Ed Cocktail is the solution Hammer created in order to train teachers how to network in a fun and safe environment. Teachers seem to be warming to the idea as well. The demand was so high for this event that tickets sold out in two days. With the help of lead sponsors Varsity Tutors and The Classmate Ltd., Applebatch is able to keep this event free for teachers. The first event will be held Oct. 22nd at Martini Park, 151 W Erie St., from 6-8 p.m., with a second event scheduled for Jan. 14th, 2010.

"Networking is an essential tactic to finding jobs in other industries," said Hammer. "But it is rarely mentioned in the education field. I want to incorporate best practices I learned throughout my career in business and apply them to the educational world. This event is my way of filling in the void and helping teachers."