Recruiting and Retaining Quality Teachers

by | Jul 28, 2017 | Recruiting

No matter how many resources, products or businesses there are one thing the American economy needs a good supply of, more than anything else, is skilled workers. How do you get skilled workers? By providing access to quality career and technical education (CTE).

Unfortunately, the nation has seen a steady decline in teachers due to the elimination of many teaching programs and the number of people starting to retire. While teachers are dwindling the student base is growing, which has several states scrambling to address the shortage.

Programs for Recruiting

New York has been working diligently for nearly two decades to address the shortages and currently offer three paths to becoming a CTE teacher:

  • Qualified CTE Program- there are three approved programs of study in New York public schools.
  • Experience in the field- 4 years experience can begin teaching while obtaining teaching credentials, earn while you learn basically. You must complete your teaching and mentoring program within three years.
  • Individual Evaluation- Combination of trade experience, college level coursework, and certifications.

Retention

Of course, recruitment is only half the battle as once you have a bevy of potential CTE teachers you then must institute programs to keep them on board. One way New York has addressed this issue is through the SVA program, Success Via Apprenticeship.

SVA is a three pronged approach that includes:

  • Paid Teaching Apprenticeship- participants will be paid to work with a mentor teacher for five months, during which time they will learn about lesson plans, classroom management, school dynamic and lesson presentation. (total 2 years, five months each rotation)
  • Practical Apprenticeship- Learning how to teach is a start, but understanding the practical application of what you teach is important. To this end, participants will spend one full year per rotation in their chosen field. (3 years total)
  • College Level Work- each candidate will work to complete the teacher certification courses required within the five year period of the program. Classes will include liberal arts, student teaching, sciences as well as career and technical education.

Conclusion

If we are to continue to turn out highly skilled, well-rounded students; schools and states must figure out the best ways to improve recruitment and retention. All the examples from New York are a great place to start, but it may take more coaxing to get teachers into the CTE arena. Some ideas could include tuition reimbursement for bachelors degree students who decide to go into CTE.

Article provided by, K-12 Recruitment Group – a recruiting firm focused exclusively on filling K-12 administrative leadership positions throughout the USA

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