Recruiting and Supporting Advisors and Staff

What could be more important than staff support? Debbie Meier, the well-known educator who founded Central Park East Secondary School, once said, “Show me a school where the teachers are learning, and I’ll show you a school where the students are learning.” It’s the principal’s responsibility to make sure the staff is learning and thriving, that they are receiving the coaching, guidance and resources they need to help kids. This guide provides some suggestions for staff recruitment, and staff supervision and evaluation. Professional Development is covered in a separate Principal Guide. 

Approach your staff with the Big Picture School idea: “One at a time.” Especially as your school is beginning, it is important to build a dynamic, diverse, and committed team. The recruitment and application process should be organized to get to know the prospective advisors well, and for those people to get to know you and your school well. Avoid the trap of hiring people that you do not really know. Make sure the candidates understand what Big Picture Learning Schools stand for, and what their responsibilities will be. Relationships are at the heart of Big Picture Learning Schools-- relationships that create a powerful environment for learning. You need a staff that is able to develop these relationships and translate them into learning for students. The following are designed to help with staff recruitment and selection.