Need Qualified Workers? Call Your Local School District

How can it be that after all of these years hearing about teacher shortages that we are suddenly hearing about mass teacher layoffs?

Google “teach layoffs” and the first articles to pop up will be about federal funds for public elementary schools that will expire this September. Then by digging deeper you’ll learn that more kids are moving to private schools. These trends then follow the persistent one we keep talking about here which is America’s continuing declining birthrate. As just one statistical example, our birthrate fell nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. That creates a lot of empty chairs across our classrooms.[i]

Two years ago, I wrote here about how many teachers were quitting and the significant skills they were carrying over to corporate America. I offer those ideas again as it has become even more relevant today.

Now More than Ever, Teachers are Prepared for Non-Teaching Roles

So let’s start with teacher availability. According to the National Education Association, a full 600,000 teachers have already left teaching since January 2020, and a recent NEA poll indicated 55% more will quit prematurely. So, teachers are fast becoming a very talented recruiting pool.

The article reported examples of teachers moving into non-teaching jobs while working for marketing firms, various consultancies, greeting card manufacturers, and pet care companies. These manager quotes drive home how all of those classroom years prepared teachers for different careers while applying the same skills:

• “We hired a biologist with teaching experience because she understood how to build a presentation for an audience.”
• “In our experience, teachers are very detail-oriented and operate on structured schedules.”
• “They are great communicators with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.”
• “They’re usually technically savvy and comfortable with workplace tech.”
• “I am always blown away by their kind and gentle yet get-it-done attitude.”
• “Diligent, hardworking, flexible, amazing communicators and coachable. They were able to become project leads in a matter of months.”

Another hiring manager said teachers are “hardworking, no-nonsense, scrappy, great communicators who are able to complete assignments in a timely manner.”

What About Teacher Pay Compared to Non-Teaching Jobs?

How much do teachers expect to make? The current average teacher pay across the U.S is $65,090[ii], though your local teachers might make more or less. And I’ll bet ex-teachers stay with their employers longer than most because they have switched to work in an adult environment and likely thrive on it.

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Further Reading: How Much Does Pay Really Impact Employee Turnover?

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Teachers for Non-Teaching Jobs Broadens Recruiting Borders

Hiring former teachers is just one example of broadening our recruiting boundaries as traditional, resume-perfect applicants remain scarce. Which makes me wonder what other professional backgrounds’ just-right fits for your company’s openings might be, from jobs or industries you’ve never considered before.

Writing this piece brought to mind a book that’s been sitting on my bookshelf titled You Can Do Anything: The Surprising Power of a “Useless” Liberal Arts Education. Scanning the contents, my immediate-favorite chapters are The Problem Solvers and Employers That Get It. I am looking forward to revisiting this book during my next flight.

Given that the school calendar will end soon and those September decisions to return to the classroom are looming, I’m hoping this piece draws a connection for you between your own open jobs plus the skills that experienced teachers can bring. Please do consider your local school district as a fertile recruiting ground.

You can read the full text of the original blog Does Hiring Teachers Help Solve The Great Resignation that I believe could really help you.

What are your employee retention goals?  
Schedule a conversation with me at DFinnegan@C-SuiteAnalytics.com and we’ll discuss the numbers and needs to evaluate your retention goals. We work with companies in every type of industry to cut turnover by 20% and more by building trust and accountabilities.

[i] https://www.vox.com/23971366/declining-birth-rate-fertility-babies-children

[ii] https://www.google.com/search?q=average+teacher+salary+u.s.+2021&sxsrf=APq-WBs09cCHbR88fdt9XdLeZdxQwXr25w%3A1648817748060&source=hp&ei=VPZGYqWMAaKWwbkP9pCa2AQ&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYkcEZG_i18rHI9kbbkkQWoo4e3cQNpbs&oq=average+U.S.+teacher+&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYATIFCAAQgAQyBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgUIABCGAzIFCAAQhgMyBQgAEIYDMgUIABCGAzoECCMQJzoRCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQxwEQ0QM6CAgAELEDEIMBOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDOg4ILhCABBCxAxDHARCjAjoLCC4QgAQQsQMQ1AI6CAguEIAEELEDOgsILhCABBDHARCvAToICAAQgAQQsQM6CAgAEIAEEMkDOgUIABCSAzoFCAAQogQ6CAghEBYQHRAeUABY3zJgikloA3AAeACAAW2IAdQPkgEEMjIuMpgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz