Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.
Want to keep the conversation going?
- Subscribe: Never miss an insight. Hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app to automatically receive our next episode.
- Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
- Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the ForwardEd Network family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, From Carpool to College, and Your Morning Boost.
- Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at pillars.forwarded@gmail.com or find us on social media using the tag #theForwardEDnetwork.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:19 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Good morning, school leaders. Happy Tuesday.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 Welcome to Your Morning Boost by AWB Education.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:28 We are here again to tackle the challenges of leadership, one boost at a time.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:33 If you have not already checked out our online library of resources, I encourage you to do so.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:37 You can find these resources at awbeducation.org.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:41 We're putting new resources up there every day, so it's a good one to follow and keep track of.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:47 If you are looking for a platform to share your ideas, we are also always looking for contributors.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 Send us a message. We would love to have you join our mission.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 Now, today we're diving into a tough one. Incorporating teacher input into hiring
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 practices when finding substitutes is nearly impossible.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 We all know how valuable teacher perspectives are in selecting new colleagues,
00:01:04 --> 00:01:09 but the substitute shortage is just making pulling them out of the classroom a real struggle.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:13 So how do we get their input without adding to their already overflowing plates?
00:01:14 --> 00:01:19 The key is creativity and efficiency. We need to think outside the traditional
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 interview panel and leverage existing structures and technologies.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 So here's a few practical ideas. So here are a few practical ideas.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:32 First, mini-surveys or feedback forms. You can do these before interviews even begin.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:37 Create a short, targeted survey focusing on the specific qualities and skills
00:01:37 --> 00:01:41 that teachers value most in a colleague, and certainly one for that particular
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 subject or grade level. But keep it brief.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 Five questions max, and distribute it electronically.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:51 Teachers can complete it on the prep time, during lunch, or maybe even at home,
00:01:51 --> 00:01:56 and this provides valuable collective input that can help inform your interview questions.
00:01:56 --> 00:02:00 Now, secondly, department or grade-level meetings is a great opportunity to
00:02:00 --> 00:02:01 get that feedback as well.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:02 If you're already holding these
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 meetings, just dedicate a short segment to discussing the open position.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:11 Facilitate a focused conversation about the ideal candidate's characteristics.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:15 Assign a note-taker to capture the key takeaways, which then you can use later
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 to develop some interview questions or create a candidate rubric.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:23 This leverages existing meeting time and provides a platform for a richer discussion.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:28 Third, get some video feedback. Ask teachers to record a short video clip.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:33 Think one minute or less, sharing their thoughts on what they are looking for in a new team member.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 This can be done asynchronously, allowing teachers to contribute when it's convenient for them.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:43 You can then compile these clips together and then review them as a hiring team.
00:02:43 --> 00:02:46 Fourth, post interview feedback with a little bit of a twist.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:52 If you have a few finalists, consider sharing select portions of their application materials.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:56 Maybe this is their cover letters or a statement of teaching philosophy,
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 and then share these with a small group of teachers.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:04 Ask for written feedback on these materials, again, keeping it brief and focused.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:09 This can be done electronically. It doesn't require teachers to be out of the classroom.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:14 Next, utilize teacher leaders or mentors. If you have department heads,
00:03:14 --> 00:03:18 team leaders, coaches, or mentor teachers, they can act as liaisons.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 They can gather input from their colleagues and then represent those perspectives
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 during the hiring process.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:29 This leverages their teacher leadership roles and reduces the burden on individual
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 teachers. The critical piece here is communication.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:37 Be transparent with your staff about how their input will be used in this process.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:41 Explain to them that you do value their perspectives and you are committed to
00:03:41 --> 00:03:45 incorporating them into this hiring process, even if you have the challenge
00:03:45 --> 00:03:46 of the substitute shortage.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:50 By being creative, efficient, and communicative, you can ensure that teacher
00:03:50 --> 00:03:55 voices are heard, even when they can't physically be present at every stage of the hiring process.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 That's all for today's Your Morning Boost. Have a fantastic day.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 Remember, your leadership truly makes a difference. Thanks for listening today.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 We will talk with you again tomorrow. You have been listening to your Morning
00:04:06 --> 00:04:11 Boost by AWB Education in partnership with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:15 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:21 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:25 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.