Getting quality teachers in classrooms
Dallas ISD started the 2024-2025 school year with fewer than 70 vacancies—the lowest in almost ten years. This meant that the district had filled 99% of teacher positions before classes started, an accomplishment due in great part to the efforts of Human Capital Management’s Recruitment and Selection Team.
The team of 16 members works year-round to identify and recruit the best teachers worldwide through strategic sourcing, travel, and participation in critical events. Their primary objective is to have a certified teacher in every classroom at the start of the year, a process that often starts a full year in advance.
Meeting the district’s needs through strategic preparation is crucial to ensure Dallas ISD students receive the highest quality education, said Chele Andreason, executive director in Human Capital Management.
Preparation is essential for a successful year. The team prioritizes local universities with graduating education majors and builds solid relationships and pipelines to secure top potential teachers. With 239 campuses across all levels, the recruitment team stays several steps ahead to meet content area needs, particularly in critical areas such as bilingual education and special education, Andreason said.
Collaboration within the team is vital to building a robust pipeline of candidates for future opportunities. The Recruitment and Selection team hosts virtual events, including information sessions, Recruiter’s Corner, and interviews to engage and attract potential teachers. This is one of the preliminary steps along a candidate’s journey to securing a position within the district. The team also hosts many districtwide events to attract and secure teachers.
A significant aspect of the recruitment process is the ability to offer a teacher an early contract with the district. This binding agreement guarantees candidates a teaching position for the upcoming school year, adding a compelling element to the recruitment process. If you know of future teachers who are interested in being an educator with Dallas ISD, please reach out to the team at futureteacher@dallasisd.org.
