Approximately 50 participants from throughout the state came to hear the presentation on how to increase teacher candidates in school districts. With more than 2,000 teacher vacancies across the state, new strategies include looking at the costs of losing a quality teacher, and using liquidated damages (costs that districts are recouping from teachers who leave) at 15percent. Research says there is a 20 percent turnover in teachers and a huge issue. The goal is to reduce it by half in the Colorado River and Bullhead City Schools and they are making progress.
Recruitment efforts include local, in-state, out of state and other countries. People are leveraging funds to raise base salaries. Districts are also looking at a staffing model and rethinking classrooms with a master teacher and para pros that are constantly trained. Retention is one of the biggest issues and grow your own is helping. Many districts are at the beginning stages and hoping for success. Forming a partnership with NAU, an accredited program where they come to the district is a great working strategy. Using a practicum entails having someone who is employed by the District to have real experiences as soon as possible to see what teaching is really like. There is no silver bullet but partnering with NAU has produced teachers for the schools and a future pipeline.
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