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.

  • Targeted Info Sessions for Undergraduates in Math, Science, Child Development, and Liberal Studies Programs

    ​We conduct outreach efforts through targeted information sessions specifically for undergraduates in math, science, Child Development, and Liberal Studies programs.

    Population: High School, Math, Science
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, Presentations
    Submitted by: Sacramento State 

  • Targeting of Career Changers

    We target career changers and para-professionals for teaching in math and science. 

    Population: Math, Other graduate, Paraprofessionals, Science
    Strategy Type: Other
    Submitted by: CSU Monterey Bay 

  • Teacher Education Programs Emphasizing Science and Mathematics Teaching

    ​MSTI funds support teacher education programs emphasizing science and mathematics teaching.  Recruitment, campus visits, and EDUC 150 are components of this partnership. We offer two EDUC 150 courses at Liberty High School, Brentwood, and Benicia High School, Benicia.

    Population: High School, Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Other
    Submitted by: Sonoma State 

  • Teacher Excellence Institute

    ​Free professional development is provided to current teacher candidates and mentor teachers. Candidates and mentor teachers are asked to bring a friend (potential teacher, TA) to participate as well.

    Population: Credential Student, Other graduate, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Professional conferences
    Submitted by: Ernest Black  eblack@calstate.edu

  • Teacher Leadership Opportunities

    ​Teacher Leadership Opportunities: One essential leadership opportunity we have offered our prospective teachers and candidates in the past is to attend professional conferences. This helped them to be successful in their programs, and to develop leadership capacity.

    Population: Credential Student, Math, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Professional conferences
    Submitted by: CSU Long Beach 

  • Teaching Assistants and Tutors (with Stipends)

    We provide undergraduates with opportunities to serve as teaching assistants and tutors (with stipends) in secondary math and science courses with such programs as ACE Youthbuild, College Bound programs at Boys and Girls Clubs, Project GRAD Los Angeles, Upward Bound, Summer Academic Enrichme

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences
    Submitted by: CSU Northridge 

  • Teaching Fellows Program at Fresno State

    Undergraduates participating in the Teaching Fellows Program at Fresno State are paid to work 15 hours per week leading after school enrichment activities. They also attend monthly professional development sessions to develop basic pedagogical skills.

    Population: Community College, Students of color, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences, Financial assistance
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  kfuternick@calstate.edu

  • The Black Teacher Project

    The Black Teachers Project,  founded in 2015, helps to sustain the work of Black teachers in New York City and California's Bay Area through communities of practice and professional learning events.

    Population: Community College, Credential Student, High School, Students of color, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: SCTA and other clubs
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  kfuternick@calstate.edu

  • The Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program

    The Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program, created in 2007 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County campus, recruits talented candidates into its STEM-focused teacher preparation program. Close to 40% of its participants have been students of color.

    Population: Math, Paraprofessionals, Science, Students of color, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, SCTA and other clubs
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick 

  • The STEM Learning Assistants Program

    The STEM Learning Assistants Program at CSUSM provides early exposure to teaching as part of classroom transformation and motivation, which in turn improves the overall learning experience for science and math students.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences
    Submitted by: CSU San Marcos 

  • Tutoring of High School Math and Science Students

    ​A mathematics faculty member recruits, interviews and offers students jobs as tutors for secondary students. A district teacher is responsible for training and supervision of mathematics tutors.​

    Population: Math
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences, Financial assistance, Promotion by non-ed faculty
    Submitted by: San Diego State 

  • University Outreach on STEM

    We continue to recruit paraprofessionals, mid-career professionals, recent college graduates, community college students, and through our collaboration with University Outreach, are able to expose middle school and high school students to STEM careers and activities.​

    Population: Community College, High School, Math, Other graduate, Paraprofessionals, Science
    Strategy Type: Advertising, Presentations
    Submitted by: CSU Dominguez Hills