The start of a new school year is an essential time for administrators to ensure they have the qualified staff needed to offer the best educational opportunities for their students. Unfortunately, emergencies can arise during this time, leading to the need to quickly hire multiple teachers for multiple vacancies.
As a principal, it’s important to have a plan in place in such an emergency. Although it is not addressed, specifically, in the ReadySchool Training Guide, Appendix I helps schools create a School Continuity Plan which should address specific steps for replacing staff quickly due to any emergency. Who can step in on an interim basis to fill vacancies in teaching positions as well as administrative positions?
Here are some strategies that can help administrators quickly hire multiple teachers for multiple teacher openings:
- Build relationships with local colleges and universities to recruit qualified candidates.
- Ask trusted colleagues and staff members for referrals to qualified candidates.
- Utilize web-based job boards and social media to reach a broader pool of applicants.
- Create recruitment materials that effectively showcase your school's strengths and teaching roles.
- Offer incentives, such as signing bonuses and relocation assistance, to attract good educators.
- Activate an efficient screening process that includes interviews, background checks, reference checks, and other necessary details.
Now that your staff is in place, you can focus on preventing the emergency of needing to fill multiple teacher vacancies quickly in the future. Here are some strategies to retain good staff members:
- Create an environment that promotes collaboration, professional development, and open communication.
- Offer competitive salaries and benefits packages.
- Provide meaningful feedback that shows educators their contributions are valued and appreciated.
- Offer opportunities for growth and professional development.
- Allow flexibility in schedule and workloads to show that the school respects the work-life balance of its educators.
In addition to these strategies, school administrators can also refer to current resources on “Best Teacher Hiring Practices” and “Best Teacher Retention Practices” to ensure they are prepared for any potential emergency. Sources like the National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Christian Schools, National Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals, and Education World can be valuable assets in this process.
By planning and utilizing the resources available, school administrators can be prepared for any emergency that may arise in their school, including the need to hire multiple teachers for multiple positions.
Being a ReadySchool is more complex than just preparing for an Active Shooter Incident or hiring a Resource Officer. Is your school ready for ANY emergency that might arise? Learn more in the ReadySchool Training Guide and from subject matter experts from Christian Emergency Network.
