Show Your Middle and High School Students Career Pathways in Education
Teachers tend to work in schools close to where they grew up. In fact, they are four times closer in distance to the high school they attended than professionals in other disciplines (Reininger, 2012; Brown, 2016; Wyckoff, Boyd, Lankford, & Loeb).
Therefore, your current students are an important candidate pool of future educators and should be a part of your long-term recruitment strategy. Consider authentic and engaging experiences to showcase education pathways to students. Examples might include:
Host an Aspiring Teachers Day. Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, asked education students to talk with high schoolers about what it’s like to teach in a classroom. Learn more.
Provide Food and Fun Experiences for Middle School Students. Middle years are the most appropriate time for students to start engaging in self- and career exploration. Use the Careers in Education resources on the HCRC to create a scavenger hunt of the occupation details. Arrange for 2-3 school employees to share about their career journey.
For family and student general career exploration resources, view Middle Years activity guides (The Ohio State University).
Identify Students’ Interest In and Aptitude For Teaching. Strong career exploration coaching often is grounded in a Future Self vision, aligns with aptitudes and interests, and connects to satisfaction and wealth considerations. Learn more.
Always Share the Joy of the Profession! Most educators will say they became teachers to make a difference for kids. District staff should advocate for the profession to students and the community. Building and district leaders are encouraged to attend a Human Capital Essentials (free 1-day training) focused on building capacity of branding, recruitment, retention strategies, and more. Visit I Educate Ohio for ideas to celebrate and elevate educator voices.
Fund and Support Grow Your Own (GYO) Programs. GYO programs are a high-impact, long-term strategy that takes dedicated time and resources. Learn more about how to start one and explore student pathways of GYO programs, including:
Start a Local Chapter of Educators Rising. Schools can elect to form either a co-curricular chapter or club chapter of Educators Rising for middle and high school students. Learn more.
Create Partnerships to Offset or Lower Costs and Shorten Paths to Certification. View example programs.
Join a Consortia. The Cleveland Area Minority Educators Recruitment Association (CAMERA) is comprised of member districts whose mission is to identify, recruit and support minority educational professionals. Learn more.