Updated.
Just want to give teacher readers a heads-up on an Education Week special report on teacher-recruitment challenges that came out this week.
The report is targeted to an audience of district leaders and school HR directors, but I think it includes a lot of potentially useful information for teachers as well, especially if you are just getting into the profession or currently looking for a new job.
The report includes stories on:
- the steps one major district is taking to lure more teachers from out of state;
- how districts are using data-analysis and screening technology to select teacher hires;
- why social media might be a smart place to be if you’re looking for teaching job;
- the ambitious lengths school systems and other stakeholders are going to in order to fill positions in bilingual and special education;
- and the underrepresentation of Asian-American and Pacific Islander teachers (among other educators of color).
We talked to many school HR people and experts in developing the report. So it could be a good way (I hope) for teachers to get some insider knowledge on what schools are looking for and what they’re doing—and in some cases not doing—to find it. When you’re in the job market, especially in a variegated field like education, it’s always helpful to know the landscape.
To that end, @edweekteacher will also be holding a Twitter chat (#ewedchat) on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on the topic of recruitment and retention of teachers of color. Mark your calendars for that.
And if you have insights or questions about the coverage, please comment on the articles or let me know @a_rebora.
Update, Feb. 2, 2016: Just a reminder that, on Wednesday Feb. 3, from 8 to 9 p.m. ET, @edweekteacher will be holding a Twitter chat (#ewedchat) on improving the recruitment and retention of teachers of color—areas where many schools and districts struggle. Our guests for the chat will be Eric Cooper, the president and CEO of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education (@NUATC), and Danielle Brown (@teachdb17), a kindergarten teacher and teacher leader in Arizona. The discussion will focus both on strategies schools can use to reach and support diverse teachers and on teachers’ own experiences in the job market and the teaching force. Teacher Assistant Editor Ross Brenneman (@itsapun) will be the moderator. Please join us at #ewedchat and share your ideas and input.
More stories on teacher recruitment: