Thursday, February 22, 2007

Teacher Recruitment

Based on my previous sixteen years in international education and my current position as a Professor of Education at Luther College, I am highly motivated to attract teachers to international schools. It is my impression that attracting teachers to a growingly competitive international teachers' market will require an intentional effort to recruit teachers from additional sources. These sources could include: 1) Public school teachers who are unaware of international teaching opportunities. 2) Young, talented, newly licensed teachers who are highly mobile and anxious for new experiences. 3) Early retirement teachers who might be interested in international teaching.

The intent of my recruiting efforts would be to combine technology and personal communication to connect prospective teachers with high quality international schools. Also, based on my experience, I would do initial screening of candidates and facilitate the connection of these screened candidates to schools interested in being in contact with candidates well before planned recruiting trips to the USA. Once these candidates are screened, there will be links on this blog for schools to be in contact with them so they can provide additional information electronically. The technology available through Skype Video could be used to set-up an online interview at any time, too, prior to traveling to the USA.

Based on the initial interest in this idea, I would also arrange for a mini-recruiting fair in Minneapolis, Minnesota or Decorah, Iowa (Luther College) on January 30 and January 31, 2008. Please let me know your ideas.