What Do Candidates Say About Cal/West?
We are committed to matching our candidates with the perfect independent or private school and their own words say it all! If you are a teacher looking for a great teaching position in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or any other western state, Cal/West is ready to help you! Call us today at 818.906.2972 or go to How to Apply and experience the commitment and personal service we offer to all of our educator candidates!
I am very pleased with the services CalWest provided me during my family's relocation to Southern California. Having a supportive and informed team working on my behalf made the transition that much easier. CalWest definitely has the inside into the schools in the area and does a great job of matching educators to the right school. I am so glad I found this agency!
~Tina, 4th Grade Teacher, Southern California
CalWest has done an exceptional job of supporting and guiding me through the process. I am very grateful for the personal and always prompt follow up.
~Lauren, Director of Enrollment & Marketing, Southern California
The team at Cal West is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and well known in the private teaching school community. They know the schools and administrators well. They have been instrumental in helping me navigate the job search process. I felt comfortable asking them any questions and trusted that I would get honest and helpful answers. They are the best!
~Jessica, Science Teacher, Southern California
It is critical that a placement agency such as Cal West that knows its educators and its candidates be part of the process of matching those two partners up! Like a marriage, one needs chemistry and compatibility, and sometimes a good matchmaker knows what those are. In my experience, Cal West is like Yente, the matchmaker from "Fiddler on the Roof," only Lee Miller is dealing not with potential husbands or wives but future educators and administrators. It is important work, and as educators, we are much better suited to the schools that we become part of because of the kind of professional, knowledgeable work that they do.
~Nitza, Humanities Teacher, Northern California
Cal/West offers terrific personalized and informed service! The company is guided by a great group of individuals that cares about the success of each and every candidate. ~John Frazier, Diversity Education/English (Gr. 9-12), San Francisco University High School, San Francisco, CA
Establish personal relationships with each and every candidate. The contact is essential - when Cal/West recruiters know the candidate, they can figure out which school is a better fit for your qualities.
~Hans, French-History Teacher, Las Vegas, NV.
Cal/West is a wonderfully friendly and collaborative group of people who work together to effectively match students and schools. I really felt like the Cal/West team got to know me personally and then used their extensive connections to create opportunities. I really felt like the group went above and beyond to establish personal connections and to guide me through the job hunting process.
~Katherine, History Teacher, Southern California
From start to finish, Cal/West paved my journey to the next chapter in my career positively and with a "one-of-the-family"-like manner. If it was not for Cal/West, I would have not found the perfect fit for me on the West Coast. Although I was out-of-state completely on the opposite coast trying to find a new position prior to moving at the conclusion of the school year, I cannot believe how everything managed to fall into place.
~Renee, Elementary Teacher, Southern California
Thanks to the wonderful staff at Cal/West I have found my dream job! If it wasn't for them taking the time to truly get to know me and see where I would "fit in" I would never be where I am today!
~Brandi, Associate Teacher, Southern California
One of the best parts of this experience was that Cal/West made it clear they were on my side, from the initial screening interview through meetings at connection events. That vote of confidence made the experience much more enjoyable and helpful.
~Sarah, Biology Teacher, Northern California
Cal/West staff are like your foster parents. They don't give up on you until you've found a permanent home.
~Mingie, Speech/Debate Teacher, Southern California
Cal West facilitates the critical connections you want to make as you explore finding the right professional match!
-- Marcia, Spanish Teacher, Northern California
Cal/West helped me find a school that is a great fit for me as a teacher. The team worked hard to send my information to a variety of schools that wanted what I had to give. In the end, I feel great knowing that there is a sense of mutual value between me and my new school.
-- Cate, History Teacher, Southern California
Cal/West anticipated my job search questions before I even asked them. The team is highly solicitous and responsive to my needs and I love that they are interested in my feedback during the process. It shows that they are constantly reviewing what works best in finding the perfect match for both schools and candidates.
-- Alex, English Teacher, Southern California
Cal/West is personal and professional. I could not have conducted an out-of-state search without them!
-- Hollyn, Elementary Teacher, Southern California
I just adore the entire Cal/West team for being so amazing, efficient, sincere, and wise. It makes the experience so much better to feel like there is a whole team of people there to hold your hand.
-- Lyssa, Elementary Teacher, Northern California
Thank you for the opportunity to make face-to-face contact with the school representatives who attended the Cal/West Connection Event. During the event, I was able to make personal contact with a school that was previously off my radar. After sharing information, we learned that we may be a potential match for each other. The event was also a wonderful opportunity to get a feel for the "personalities" of different schools.
-- Brooke, Assistant Director of Admissions, Southern California
The Cal/West staff were very friendly, helpful and responsive. It was obvious that they cared very much about helping their candidates secure interviews and positions, and I completely trusted that they had my best interest in mind. Thank you for the introductions and help!
-- Bristol, Elementary Associate, Southern California
I found the Connection Event extremely helpful toward consolidating in one place those with whom I would definitely want to speak, and I am not sure I would have known how to go about doing so myself or getting their attention without attending an event like this. I think Cal/West does a great and honorable job at trying to match teachers to schools. They planned an extremely organized symposium and executed presentation, set-up and interviews efficiently and kindly. I admire--and appreciate--the work they do.
-- Deborah, MS English Teacher, Southern California
My experience in Independent Schools is better because of my connection to Cal/West. This is more than a educators' placement organization, they take a genuinely personal interest in fitting you with the best organization. I feel nurtured and understood, and that I did not expect. I thank them daily in my head.
-- Jasmine, Director of Multiculturalism, Southern California
Attending a Cal/West conference is an excellent way to network, meet school administrators, and representatives and schedule interviews in one great day. Thanks Cal/West for your wonderful assistance!
-- Angela, HS English Teacher, Southern California
The connection event is more about getting an interview with a school. It's an excellent opportunity to get a visual picture of the job market, participate in professional development luncheons, and efficiently learn about several independent schools. I got a chance to network with other teachers in a comfortable, professional environment.
-- Mehnaz, HS English Teacher, Southern California
"I would like to thank everyone at Cal/West for helping me with my job search. I just got back from driving my tired and rusty auto-mobile back to Rhode Island from California. I came back with some great things; a big belly from all-you-can eat California taco stands, a couple of good scars from surfing, a better understanding of drum circles, and most importantly a job at Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley. I cannot express my gratitude enough for all that you guys did. Even when there were weeks without any job openings or scheduled interviews, your calls and emails reassured me that I had the right people trying their hardest to get me a job. I am 23 and am still concerned with my adjustment into the 'big-boy' world, but your agency gave me confidence and assurance that the crossing into the real-world is not too big of a deal. I am pumped about moving out to California in August to start my job, thank you!"
-- Myles, Speciality Position, Northern California
"Cal/West is both highly professional and highly personal in terms of its approach to matching candidates with schools. I've felt wonderfully "seen and heard" by their highly qualified staff and have always been able to get in touch with a staff member, both in times of frustration and elation during my job searches. Cal/West has now helped me to find my THIRD incredible job in the L.A. area and I can't thank them enough for their support and guidance."
-- Catherine, High School English Teacher, Southern California
"When I arrived at the Cal/West offices I was immediately struck by the warmth and professionalism of each staff member. I was treated like a VIP by everyone with whom I came into contact and my interviewer, the President, Lee Miller, spent a significant amount of time with me, making sure I understood everything, and guiding me through the process with tips about interviewing, researching my prospective schools, and so on. The follow-up was equally top-notch as I was able to communicate with representatives at Cal West at all times, day or night. All in all I had a terrific experience with Cal West and have already recommended their services to other high-quality educators."
-- Brianna, School Counselor, Southern California
"10 days was all it took. A phone call from Lee on Friday, a job fair on Saturday, 5 interviews in five days. Two job offers by the end of the week. Fantastic!"
-- Jason, Elementary Teacher, Southern California
"Cal/West's contacts throughout the West Coast set the right school searching after me. I'm really pleased with my new position and I am very grateful for the hard work put in by the whole Cal/West team."
-- Kenny, Math Teacher, Northern California
"Cal/West's solid relationships with schools in my area allowed them to serve as my advocate and ultimately provided me with excellent opportunities and choices...opportunities I couldn't have discovered on my own!"
-- Barbara, Director of Admissions, Southern California
"Just today, I accepted a fourth grade position at a school that would not have been on my radar if I had not attended the Diversity Symposium. I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work. Cal/West has helped me meet so many administrators and made my long distance job search much more efficient and less stressful. "
-- Jo, Elementary Teacher, Southern California
"I received calls from both Lee and Fleisch to follow up on my interviews. Fleisch made his mobile number available so I could contact him before I made my final decision. That was very convenient, helpful and a step beyond what I expected. I would work with Cal/West again without hesitation and I will definitely pass on the word of Cal/West to anyone I know who is looking for a position."
-- Jessica, Science Teacher, Southern California
"Cal/West was a great partner in helping me find my 'perfect match.' They were friendly, helpful, and most of all on my side. In fact, I never had as much fun finding a new position!"
-- Jared, Primary Teacher, Northern California
"My experience with Cal/West was exceptional. I signed up in June, which is the slowest time of the year in schools and was initially disappointed that seemingly nothing was happening - no interviews or calls. I relied on my faith that Lee Miller has a great reputation with the local schools and was plugged in so that when the right position opened up, she would submit my file. In November, I received 3 interview requests in one week and was hired immediately. I'm thankful for Lee's guidance and professionalism and recommend her highly."
-- Lili, Director of Development, Southern California
"2 for 2! Cal West worked diligently to help me find my dream job in Los Angeles four years ago. When I learned that a family matter would require me to move to San Diego, I did not hesitate to call upon Cal/West. I knew I could completely trust the professional staff to help me secure a great opportunity!"
-- Jennifer, Elementary Teacher, Southern California
"No other company can match the thoughtful attention that Cal/West devotes to each of their candidates... I felt that my satisfaction was of the utmost importance throughout the search process. The Cal/West staff takes as much pride in what they do as I do in my teaching, and the end result is that I couldn't have been happier with what they've done for me. "
-- Nick, Math Teacher, Northern California
"I wanted to thank you for all of your help this year and last. Working with Cal/West has been absolutely wonderful. I have always been impressed by your friendliness, attention to detail, and your ability to remember seemingly everything about my file! Without any doubt, I owe my current employment to you."
-- Melati, History Teacher, San Francisco