Do extra efforts in the first several months of courtship help relationships last longer? Or, should someone entering a new relationship simply rely on spontaneity and allow fate take over? No this isn’t an article about dating. It is about the beginning of the employee/ employer relationship in school districts. More specifically, I want to focus on effective onboarding for teachers. We … [Read more...]
8 Effective Strategies to Recruit Teachers This Spring: (And is Strategy #5 an Acceptable Strategy)??
If you are recruiting teachers it's important to make sure you are using effective hiring practices. We are providing a free resource to help you ensure you are using fair and reliable hiring processes. As we discuss in our last strategy, hiring effective teachers is one of your best recruiting tools. This packet of resources provides: A best practice guide to managing perceptions of … [Read more...]
Can Conflict among Teachers and Staff be a Good Thing? How Conflict Can Help Teachers and Administrators Move Their District Forward.
It’s safe to assume most school districts have already, or are currently attempting to create a culture of learning and development in efforts to keep pace with the dynamic demands of preparing students for learning in the 21st century. Constant and evolving change can be a source of conflict and is often difficult on teachers and school district employees who feel comfortable with the status quo. … [Read more...]
Why Do Teachers Quit? : How Exit Interviews and Exit Surveys Can Help Retain Good Teachers.
(We recently put together a podcast on this article. You can listen online or subscribe to the K12 HR Solutions Podcast on iTunes.) If you would like even more information about how to retain teachers and reduce teacher turnover, click on the button below and we will send you a few exit survey sample questions we use when developing exit surveys for school districts as well as three research … [Read more...]
Onboarding New Members to the District: If Fast Food Restaurants See the Importance, Shouldn’t School Districts?
Each year school districts comb through applicants to find candidates who have the most potential (hopefully using effective selection tools for teachers) and the next step in bringing them on board through orientation and socialization techniques that support your broader school district goals. The process of selection, orientation and socialization is often referred to as onboarding. School … [Read more...]
Is HR an Important Player in School District Effectiveness?
Imagine your favorite sports team. When you think about what makes them effective, is it only their defense? Likely the answer is no. If a coach wants to compete they must develop their team’s abilities on both sides of the ball. Human resources are usually considered a defensive mechanism within a school district’s administrative staff. Typically, HR is used to file paperwork according to … [Read more...]
Arrogance in School Leaders: How does it Affect a School District?
"I'm working with my people on this, and it's none of your business." This comment appeared in a Florida newspaper and came from a school leader in response to citizens who questioned staffing and salary issues in the district as well as many other issues related to the Sunshine Laws in the state of Florida. Clearly the reaction points to a frustrated leader who seems to be confident and a bit … [Read more...]
How to Write Job Postings for Teachers
"Help wanted: Classroom Teacher." This hardly qualifies as a job posting within a school district. Surprisingly, many job openings fail to reveal critical information that applicants need to determine if they are qualified and interested in open teaching positions. When trying to determine how to write job postings for teachers, you may consider the following tips. My Postings for Teachers … [Read more...]
What Every School District Should Know About Teacher Interviews
What is the purpose of a job interview for new teachers and staff members in your school district? Did you know a typical job interview and standard teacher interview questions are some of the most unreliable methods of identifying effective teachers? Think about your school district’s turnover rate and student performance. If there is room for improvement in both areas, your teacher interview … [Read more...]
Best Practices for Hiring and Recruiting Effective Teachers
I grew up in the country so a fishing analogy in reference to hiring and recruiting the best teachers for your school district seems fitting. When school districts need to fill open positions of teachers and administrators they often use one method, job postings. A job posting for a teaching position is one way to broadcast positions within the school district, but that doesn't make it the … [Read more...]