A reader of recently emailed me and wrote, “You include the use of a job analysis for teachers in nearly every aspect of human resources that you write about. You've written about the need for a job analysis when hiring teachers, evaluating teachers, and training teachers. Can you elaborate on what exactly a job analysis is?” I quickly looked back through the archives of this site and they … [Read more...]
How do you Retain Your Best Teachers and Staff? How Socialization, a School District Human Resource Strategy, Could Make All the Difference.
When new teachers and staff join a school district, seldom are principals wondering, "How do I retain teachers that I've just hired?" However, when new teachers begin it’s a time of hope and uncertainty. Numerous task, job role, culture, and social demand questions loom in the back of new teachers’ minds in the first several months with any new school district. Teachers are also uncertain about … [Read more...]
Do Applicants to a School District Deserve a Realistic Job Preview?
How should principals in challenging schools present their school to applying teachers. Should they make applicant teachers aware of the challenge that awaits them at the risk of losing a promising applicant or surprise them once they have them under contract? What about administrators and school district leaders? If the past superintendent destroyed the trust of the community and created a … [Read more...]
Who Should Observe and Develop the Performance of Teachers?
Is a principal the only qualified professional in a school building who can evaluate teacher performance? Under most organizational models of education the answer seems to be, yes. It’s time to take another look at who can and should develop and help improve the performance of educators in a school district. When the current model of most schools began over eighty years ago, one of the … [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 Evaluate Teachers
The question of how to evaluate teachers seems to draw more controversy than most any other professional occupation. Politicians seem to think they have it figured out but the solutions are not as easy as they would make it seem.You rarely read news paper articles or hear pundits discussing on talk shows how a pilot, accountant, attorney, or physician should be evaluated. It is generally accepted … [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...]