You’ve probably heard talks about “teacher shortages” recently, right? The Wall Street Journal reports that at least 300,000 public school teachers and other staff left the field between February 2020 and May 2022.
I’ve said it before, and I will proudly repeat it: We have the best teachers at ICS! Our educators are dedicated, creative, and care deeply about their students’ well-being and success. We know how challenging staffing can be right now, and I am immensely grateful for the teaching team that shows up to ICS each day.
One innovative way ICS is working to recruit and train teachers is through the new pilot teaching program we launched earlier this year. This program is a collaboration between the Refugee Women’s Network and ICS and provides employment opportunities for people within our community, mainly immigrants and refugees looking to rebuild their careers.
My hope when we started was both that this program might help us address the teacher shortage and that it might be an avenue for employment for people within our community. Through the program, refugee women are able to assist in the classroom while working on their teacher certification. By next fall, they will be co-teachers, and within two years, they will be ready to teach in their own classrooms.
Another important benefit for our school is that our teachers-in-training come from the same countries as many of our students and speak the same languages. Representation matters, and the teachers have become trusted advocates for their students. They are also valuable role models for our young students who may also be starting over in a new place.
>> Did you know WABE/NPR recently featured ICS and our new teaching program? If you missed it, you can read the full article here.
My background is in Human Resources, so I take teacher recruitment and retention very seriously. I focus energy on putting solid practices into place that give our teachers space to be creative and entrepreneurial in their classrooms. It’s also important that we have distinct pathways for teachers to advance in their careers.
We recently implemented six career pathways for our employees, which allows individuals to have ownership over the direction of their careers within ICS. Each pathway provides unique benefits, career development, and opportunity for advancement.
Established Role-Seekers
For teachers – with any level of experience – who desire to continue in their current role and do not desire moving into leadership or a more specialized role.
Pre-Career (Americorps, Interns, Career Changers)
We will provide support and additional education for future job placement.
Early Career
Individuals with 0-5 years in their position who desire further experience in a diverse educational workplace.
Excelled Career
For our champions bringing 5+ years of experience and demonstrated leadership in their current role. This path provides advancement with additional responsibilities, as well as opportunities for growth while remaining in the classroom.
Leadership Development
Aspiring professionals with 5+ years of experience seeking executive or administrative leadership positions.
Student Support Services
Increased education, professional development, and additional endorsement support in a specialized area.
We are passionate about ICS being a place that recruits, trains, and retains teachers in a sustainable way. This practice will not only benefit our school, but the entire metro Atlanta area and beyond. This is another way we are Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges in 2023!
Are you or someone you know interested in a career at International Community School? Current job openings for the 2023-24 School Year will be posted on at icsgeorgia.org/careers! Spread the word!
I’m interested in Teaching Profile.