Teacher Internships as a Component of a Viable Teacher Recruitment Pipeline

Teacher Internships as a Component of a Viable Teacher Recruitment Pipeline

November 17, 2020

HCLE Professional Standard: Talent Acquisition

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Presenter: Julia Wheaton, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Consolidated High School District 230

As states across the nation are facing severe teacher shortages, exacerbated by early retirements, leaves of absence, and resignations due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, school districts are experiencing significant challenges with respect to strategic recruitment and staffing. As the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for Consolidated High School District 230 in Orland Park, Illinois, I have led a nine component teacher pipeline program developed to specifically address current and future human capital shortages across the field of education. The comprehensive teacher pipeline program has been in effect for two years and will be introduced, followed by a deep dive into one of the nine teacher pipeline components, teacher internships. Teacher internships provide a mutually beneficial avenue for school districts and future teachers to strategically partner as part of a strong professional development platform. This collaboration strengthens both the professional skills and knowledge of the intern as well as recruitment efforts to fill vacancies for the district's next school year. Specific teacher internship components that will be addressed include an overview of the program, purpose, resources, resource costs and benefits, internship roles and responsibilities, application process, internship components, and internship evaluation tools.