Recruitment Strategies

This page includes a repository of strategies, programs, and reports related to the recruitment of teachers, something we also think about as activating the desire within many students to serve their communities in a meaningful way, with a special emphasis on recruiting for diversity. Specific characteristics of future teachers are listed when the resource specifically targets those populations. Resources can be filtered by population and/or type of resource.

Generally, these resources are available at no cost or through a subscription carried by CSU campus libraries.

View a list of barriers to teaching that have been used to address some of the real and perceived obstacles that teaching candidates face.

  • Scholarships for Special Education Students

    According to a Cal Poly Pomona website , "The College of Education & Integrative Studies (CEIS) has received a $1.1 million federal grant to help alleviate the shortage of special education teachers in Southern California.

    Scholarship Information 
    Population: Special Education
    Strategy Type: Financial assistance
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  kfuternick@calstate.edu

  • Scholarships to Math/Science Boot Camp

    ​We provide scholarships to math/science Internship Boot Camp participants.​

    Population: Math, Science
    Strategy Type: Financial assistance, Professional conferences
    Submitted by: CSU Fresno 

  • School of Education Mentors

    A team of faculty in the School of Education serves as mentors to enrolled who have signed up for the "Be A Teacher" (BAT) pathway. These faculty identify students by their subject area and pair them with a mentor.

    Population: High School, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, SCTA and other clubs
    Submitted by: CSU San Marcos 

  • Short Class Presentations in Math and Science Courses

    We make ​5-minute visits to mathematics classes to talk to students about the rewards of a teaching career and the need for math and science teachers in California.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Financial assistance, Presentations, Promotion by non-ed faculty
    Submitted by: San Diego State 

  • SMART Girls Student Club for Math/Science Candidates

    The Sisters in Mathematics and Academic Relations in Teaching (SMART) Girls club provides mentoring for women mathematics majors in the teaching track at CSUF and has helped increase retention among this population.

    Population: Math
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, SCTA and other clubs
    Submitted by: CSU Fullerton 

  • Special Admissions to Credential Programs

    Candidates who have attended our CSET preparation workshops, but are not fully qualified for admission to the credential program, are encouraged to apply for exceptional admission or ITA status.

    Population: Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Applications, surveys, etc., Other, Test prep assistance
    Submitted by: CSU Northridge 

  • STEM Early Field Experience Course

    ​In the past year, we have expanded upon the STEM early field experience course, which places undergraduates (both future elementary and high school teachers) in after-school settings to conduct weekly NGSS aligned engineering design activities with the public school students who attend.​

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences
    Submitted by: Sacramento State 

  • STEM Early Field Experience Pathway

    Cal Poly SLO has a STEM Early Field Experience Pathway. You can't choose what you haven't experienced. This pathway lets undergraduates work with kids, then work with kids as a teacher would, and then work in work in actual classrooms with actual students. Here is our pathway:

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences
    Submitted by: Chance Hoellwarth  choellwa@calpoly.edu

  • STEM Early Field Experiences (Paid!)

    ​The Early Field Experience is coordinated by the SMEC office.

    Population: Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences, Financial assistance
    Submitted by: Fresno State 

  • STEM Outreach Activities

    ​These activities consist of: (1) year-round email blasts out to STEM and liberal studies majors via the Blackboard listserves accessed by the respective Chairs;  (2) posting flyers at strategic locations around campus with tear-away tabs printed with the MSTI website and contact phone

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advertising, Advising and mentoring, Financial assistance, Recruitment fairs, Social media, Special events
    Submitted by: CSU East Bay 

  • STEM Pre-Teaching Club

    ​In 2016-17 we expanded support for our STEM Pre-teaching Club through MSTI, which provides support and a “STEM Teacher Identity” to undergraduate math and science majors with an interest in K-12 teaching.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences, SCTA and other clubs
    Submitted by: Sacramento State 

  • STEM Promotion through Social Media

    Sonoma State recruits science and math teachers through our weekly School of Education informational meetings as well as thorough the local newspaper, newsletters, e-mails, flyers, and other media outlets.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Promotion by non-ed faculty, Social media
    Submitted by: Sonoma State