How to find a teacher: 10 strategies for success

1. Partner with your local college or university

If your local college or university has an alternative teacher licensure (ATL) program, build a relationship with the program coordinator. ATL programs allow students with non-education degrees to meet the requirements for a teaching license. Requirements vary by state and institution, but it’s common for enrollees to take education classes, conduct classroom observations and complete student teaching assignments before graduating.

ATL program coordinators are a valuable source of information about the state of the industry. For example, a local coordinator may be able to tell you how many students enroll each year, making it easier for you to plan your teacher recruitment activities. A program coordinator may also have the authority to invite you to campus to talk with current students, making it easier to find teachers when you need them most.

2. Build relationships with student teachers

Student teaching gives participants a chance to apply their newfound knowledge and develop critical classroom-management skills. Whether you’re a school administrator or a district HR professional , you can also use these experiences to source applicants.

When a student teacher comes to your school, greet them warmly. Make sure they have the information and support they need to succeed in the classroom. If a student teacher needs guidance, provide constructive criticism instead of simply pointing out their flaws. If you treat student teachers well, they may want to work for your school full-time once they graduate.

If you have the time and resources, consider setting up a mentorship program for student teachers. Having experienced teachers check in regularly and provide helpful tips can make the experience more positive. You can even recommend books and other resources to help student teachers improve their skills. This is a great way to connect with potential applicants and ensure they have the knowledge and skills you need for your school to succeed.

3. Use education publications to your advantage

Many teachers stay on top of current trends by reading industry publications or browsing education-focused websites. If you’ve been wondering how to find teachers, use these publications to your advantage. Even if you can’t submit a job advertisement, you may be able to submit an article with a short bio at the end.

If readers believe your educational philosophy aligns with theirs, they may use the information in your bio to contact you. Once you connect with a potential applicant, focus on building the relationship.

4. Advertise your openings online

If you know how to find a teacher but haven’t had any luck with local newspaper ads, try an online job board or post on Indeed. Advertising online gives you a chance to connect with a much larger audience. It also puts your job advertisements in front of people in other states who may be interested in relocating to your city.

Indeed has several helpful tools for employers, such as customizable screener questions, skills tests and virtual interviews. Indeed AI also uses artificial intelligence to help you write job descriptions in much less time. If you’re getting ready to open a new department or replace several retiring teachers, use Indeed AI to produce a customizable description for each opening.

5. Create a referral program

If you don’t have a referral program, take this opportunity to create one. Current employees know what it takes to succeed at your school, so they may be able to refer friends, family members or former colleagues who match your specific requirements. For example, if you hire a teacher who used to work at a school across town, they may keep in touch with their former colleagues. There’s a good chance they’ll mention your opening if any of those colleagues express a desire to change jobs.

It’s common to offer a referral bonus or some other type of incentive for successful referrals. If you offer a bonus, make sure everyone understands what they need to do to earn it. Typically, employers don’t pay bonuses unless a referral turns into a new hire. Therefore, your employees need to understand that they won’t get the bonus simply for providing someone’s name.

6. Keep in touch with administrators at other schools

School administrators are an excellent source of information about current hiring trends. For example, if you have a good relationship with a school principal, they may let you know if a high-quality teacher plans on moving to your area in the near future.

If a school has to conduct teacher layoffs due to budget cuts, the principal may also be willing to share information about your opening with the teachers who need to look for new positions.

To maintain positive relationships with school administrators, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate their contributions. If an administrator expresses concern about a current challenge, offer helpful suggestions. Above all, treat every administrator with respect.

7. Attend education conferences

To find quality teacher candidates, you need to go where the teachers are. If you have the budget, consider setting up a booth at an education conference in your area. For example, your state education association may have an annual conference packed with workshops, seminars and other activities for teachers. If you set up a booth at one of these conferences, you’ll be able to meet experienced teachers, tell them about your school and answer their questions.

8. Maintain a strong social media presence

Many school districts are now using social media to communicate with students and parents. Posting on Facebook is a lot faster than calling every student’s home or sending out a letter, and it’s also more cost-effective. Recruiters can use this trend to their advantage by posting about job openings and interacting with community members.

If you decide to incorporate social media into your recruiting strategy, follow these tips:

• Publish several types of content to appeal to audience members. For example, not everyone has time to read four or five paragraphs about what makes your school so special. Consider posting a video walk-through or publishing photos from your latest event.

• Respond to comments and direct messages. You don’t need to respond within seconds, but try to write back within 24 hours. A quick response may help you make a positive impression on potential applicants.

• Make it easy for users to find information about jobs. If possible, include a link to your school’s or district’s career website in your profile.

9. Participate in job fairs

The people who go to job fairs are usually looking for new employment opportunities, making them more receptive to what you have to say. If you attend one of these fairs, take plenty of promotional materials—think brochures, fact sheets and other items designed to make your school more appealing to potential applicants. Make sure you have applications on hand in case someone wants to apply for a teaching job right away.

Not everyone you meet will fit the requirements for your current job posting , but you should treat every attendee with respect. There’s a chance they’ll gain more experience or obtain an advanced degree, making them an ideal candidate for one of your teaching jobs in the near future.

10. Stay active in your community

Teachers play an important role in improving local communities, which is why relationships are so important in education recruiting. Even if you don’t have the budget for job fairs and education conferences, you never know when you’ll meet a teacher at a sporting event or during a volunteer activity. The more active you are in your community, the more chances you have to meet potential applicants and make sure they know about your job openings.