According to a recent survey, 91% of school leaders in Illinois faced a teacher shortage at the start of the 2023-24 academic year. Though the most understaffed districts are being given resources to attract, hire, support and retain educators through the Illinois Teacher Vacancy Grant Program , addressing the issue requires a deliberate focus on recruiting a new generation of educators.
By 2030, Gen Z will make up about 30% of the nation’s workforce . These young people represent the future of education, and K-12 leaders need a comprehensive plan for attracting and retaining them.
As superintendent of Bellwood School District 88 near Chicago, I believe teaching can be an attractive career choice for today’s youth. I’m proud that 21 Gen Z teachers (11% of our instructional staff) are working at Bellwood, where nearly all our students are identified as low-income. Here are five strategies I’ve found to be effective in recruiting and retaining Gen Z educators.
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