​How can schools build a pipeline of talent to help meet our mission and vision for a better world?​

For too long, schools have relied on candidates to come to us, either because of their own knowledge about independent schools or through pools and processes organized by search agencies. For most schools, this passive approach yielded strong pools of mission-aligned candidates ready to jump into the classroom. But the labor market has changed and this passive approach isn’t working as effectively as it once did. Schools need to expand where we look and how we think about potential teaching candidates. 
From career-changes to recent college graduates, schools need to do more to connect with non-traditional candidates and paint a compelling picture of independent school teaching careers. Making changes at the top of your recruitment funnel, to borrow a term from our enrollment management colleagues, will require some changes to other parts of your talent strategy, but we believe these changes will bring dynamic educators to your schools, eager to contribute to the mission of your community. 
Peer Learning Opportunities
Live Programming:
  • Getting Hiring Started Sooner: Academic Leaders know that hiring a great staff starts earlier and ends later than it ever has -- its now almost year-long work. In this webinar, we'll talk through tactics and strategies that you can implement this hiring season in order to get the outcomes you want.
  • Academic Leader Cohorts: This popular member benefit, which is included with schools' membership, offers Academic Leaders the chance to gather for informal conversations on topics they have in common with peers in similar roles in schools across the country.
Association Research Assistant
When you ask the Association Research Assistant a question, you’ll get a brief answer with the big ideas to consider. Plus, you’ll get links to the top Association courses, articles, and videos for a deeper dive into the topic. Here are a few questions to get you started on this topic:
Resources & Insights
Navigating the Hiring Landscape
The hiring landscape changed dramatically during the COVID pandemic. In order to understand tactics that may work for your school, Academic Leaders need to know what changed during the pandemic and what trends are currently impacting the hiring landscape.
Interview Candidates? Here's a Tactic To Try
Tell candidates up front what you’re going to be asking them during interviews. ​​This approach supports all candidates, not just fast-processing extroverts and experienced interviewers.  
Recruiting & Hiring Resource Library​
There’s more helpful insights from members and the Association in our member library. 
Association programming and resources provide new ways of thinking about the recruiting and hiring process at your school. Everything is included in a school's membership and all Academic Leaders are able to participate.
Learn from Academic Leaders in Roles Like Yours
Innovating to Widen the Talent Pipeline
Christy Diefenderfer, Lower School Division Director at Holton-Arms School, helped create a new talent pipeline to bring professionals from other industries into independent school teaching. "Our community has benefited from having people who are pushing us to explain the why behind everything, and who bring different perspectives for us as we think about our why," shared Diefenderfer. 
Insights on Recruiting, Engaging, and Retaining Faculty​
Elizabeth Smith, Dean of Academics at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, says that the most important question she gets from prospective candidates is: “‘Why do teachers love working at Ursuline?’ This question encompasses so much, and I know the concerns underlying this question are “How will the school support me? and “Will I belong here?” Learn how Elizabeth addresses these concerns in her blog post.
Competency, Not Experience
Lorry Perry, Head of High School at Grace Church School, notes that the idea that there’s a single “best” candidate is outdated. Instead, Academic Leaders must learn to recognize candidates who are right for your school. To make this shift, Academic Leaders need to learn to analyze applications through a lens of competency rather than prior experience. 
Want to learn about the programming and resources from the Association for Academic Leaders on this topic? Join our mailing list now by filling out the quick form below:

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Get in Touch

Have any questions? Email our Senior Director, Sarah Hanawald, to learn more. ​