How might we expand traditional hiring channels, and support new faculty in the school community? These resources offer strategy and advice from a variety of presenters with school and search firm expertise.  

Attracting and Supporting Faculty of Color, SAIS Webinar Recording

Dr. Sonja Taylor, assistant head for curriculum and instruction, equity, and strategic initiatives at Charlotte Latin School, shares experience and insight gained through their successful Latin Fellows program. This initiative offers recent graduates from underrepresented groups the opportunity to experience their first years in a mentored teaching position. Dr. Taylor suggests that schools begin the process of recruiting faculty of color with the school’s website and move beyond a “post and expect” mindset. Tapping resources including historically black colleges, culturally focused professional organizations, and alumni relationships are suggested. Dr. Taylor stresses the importance of the on-campus visit and gives advice on how to structure an engaging visit. Finally, retention requires effort. Dr. Taylor encourages faculty affinity groups, identifying leadership opportunities, and ongoing professional development to retain teachers and support their future success.

Centering Equity in Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention, SAIS Webinar Recording

Lawrence Alexander, director of equity and inclusion with Carney Sandoe & Associates, shares strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse faculty and administrators. Lawrence shares advice to assist schools in moving from recruitment and onboarding to inviting and welcoming. He helps school leaders address the “hidden culture” on campus that derails equitable and inclusive hiring.

Lawrence encourages schools to embed the school’s shared values in the job description and extend those values into the interview questions. He encourages schools to examine their hiring process and evaluation rubric for implicit bias.

Related resource links

A Visible Difference: Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Faculty and Staff, NBOA

Recruiting for Board Diversity, SAIS Webinar Recording

Trust The Process: Applying a DEIB Lens to Hiring at Schools, Brandon Jacobs, Carney, Sandoe & Associates