Creating Positive Perceptions

A key component of recruiting effective teachers is creating positive perceptions about your district. What are teacher educators saying about your district? What are teachers and administrators from other districts saying about you? What are your own teachers saying?

Creating positive perceptions is a three step process. First, make sure you have something positive to communicate. You don't have to be perfect, but there has to be something that people can cite as evidence of your success.

Second, tell people about that success. Have a 30 second commercial about your district that you can give when someone asks, how are things in your district?

Repeat the commercial to people in your district regularly. That way they have something positive to say when they're asked, how's it going?

Rural Teacher Recruitment & Retention Strategy 3.0

Helping teachers integrate into the school and community increases satisfaction and effectiveness. It can be particularly important for teachers who have not lived in a rural area since they may not have experienced living in a small community. Mentor selection and training is key to success. A teacher who says, “I hate this district, I hate this community,” is not going to be a good mentor. Districts that neglect mentor training miss an opportunity to increase the skills and commitment of both new and experienced teachers.