Does Your District Stack Up?
A school is only as good as the teachers that work within its walls. In order for students to reach their highest potential, they must be taught by knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful teachers. Ensuring that every student has a highly qualified teacher needs to be a top priority for all school and districts.
Here are five ways to attract highly qualified teachers to your school or district:
1. Word of Mouth
One of the best ways to attract new teachers to your school or district is by word of mouth. Think of it as a friends and family connection. Current teachers make the best spokespeople. Prospective teachers will be able to gain a better insight about your organisation from a current teacher than anyone else. Additionally, it is vital that parents and students can speak positively about their educational experience. This word of mouth carries far and wide and can either make or break an organisation.
2. Social Media
While online job boards are still present, many district are also promoting open positions on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Furthermore, prospective teachers are checking out Twitter handles and hashtags to learn more about different schools and districts. It is important that educational organisations have a robust social media presence and are trending the positive. Human Relation departments should send out regular messages on upcoming interview dates, information sessions and district news. Twitter chats and Facebook groups can give a district an opportunity to spread their message to perspective teachers not yet familiar with the organisation and get them to want to learn more.
3. Websites
It should come as no surprise that schools and districts should maintain comprehensive, informative and attractive websites. Prospective teachers need to be able to learn about your organisation’s mission, initiatives and culture. Sadly, many school and district websites still lack basic information such as email addresses of key personnel, quick and easy site navigation and have nonworking links. For a prospective teacher, this could be their first contact with an organisation. It is important that a strong first impression is made.
4. Information Sessions
For the most part, schools and districts conduct most of their hiring in the spring and summer. Leading up to hiring season, districts should hold information sessions for prospective teachers. In doing so, districts can gauge the talent pool, as well as potentially lock in particular candidates before they go on to interview in other districts. Furthermore, holding these sessions will provide districts with some good word of mouth press. Prospective teachers who are impressed with what they experience at these sessions will tell their friends and colleagues and urge them to apply for current or future open positions as well.
5. University Partnerships
Student teaching and internship options can be created so schools and districts can experience these new teachers in action before a hiring decision needs to be made. Most student teachers and interns want to stay in their placement district as they have already created relationships with staff, parents and students as well as become familiar with procedures and organisation culture.