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.

  • CSET Exam Preparation Programs

    We offer ​CSET exam preparation programs for career changers, credential students, and other undergraduate candidates.

    Population: Credential Student, Other graduate, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Test prep assistance
    Submitted by: CSU Monterey Bay 

  • CSET I and II Content Institutes

    ​For the past ten years we have offered 40-hour CSET I and II content institutes to support teachers in obtaining their Foundational Level Credential.​

    Population: Credential Student, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Test prep assistance
    Submitted by: CSU San Bernardino 

  • Development of a Recruitment Pipeline

    As part of a comprehensive teacher recruitment strategy, CSUSM has established a Teacher Recruitment Committee that is charged with recommending short term and long-term recruitment goals. This committee is now a standing Committee of the School of Education governance structure.

    Population: Community College, High School
    Strategy Type: Other
    Submitted by: CSU San Marcos 

  • Diversifying Teaching and Teacher Education: Beyond Rhetoric and Toward Real Change

    The author of this article, Marcelle Haddix, supports efforts to recruit teachers of color into teacher education, but she argues that these efforts will fail if (a) teacher preparation programs ignore their unique voices and experiences, and (b) if nothing is done to change the current PK-12 sys

    Diversifying Teaching and Teacher Education: Beyond Rhetoric and Toward Real Ch… 
    Population: Students of color
    Strategy Type: Research Report
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  kfuternick@calstate.edu

  • Diversifying the Teaching Profession: How to Recruit and Retain Teachers of Color

    A 2018 report from the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) by Desiree Carver-Thomas. Describes the benefits of a diverse workforce for students and the need to retain teachers of color once they are hired.

    Population: Students of color
    Strategy Type: Research Report
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  kfuternick@calstate.edu

  • Early Field Experiences for Math/science Students and Streamlined Credential Pathways

    ​The most effective MSTI project activities at Cal State LA are early field experiences for math and science students and implementation of streamlined credential pathways.

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

  • Early Field Experiences for “Pre-Noyce” MSTI Scholarships

    The College of Math and Science MSTI leader at CSUSM received a National Science Foundation grant entitled “A Model of Educational Transformation: Developing a Community of Faculty Implementing Next Generation Physical Science and Everyday Thinking.”  Associated with this grant are two

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences, Promotion by non-ed faculty
    Submitted by: CSU San Marcos 

  • Early Teaching Experiences in Mathematics and Science Program

    ​The Early Teaching Experiences in Mathematics and Science program initially targeted second-year STEM majors, but we realized that many students, especially science students, become interested in exploring the idea of becoming a secondary STEM teacher even later in their college career.

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

  • Educate Campus Faculty and Staff About Profession

    Provide trainings to faculty and staff across campus to teach them about the profession and how they can support future teachers in their classroom.​

    Population: Community College, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Promotion by non-ed faculty
    Submitted by: Aimee Nelson  anelson@fullerton.edu

  • Education Career Fair

    Host a career fair where you invite a variety of education-based organizations to hire students into the field of education. Include multiple school districts to promote vacant teaching positions, paraprofessional positions, and volunteer opportunities.

    Population: Credential Student, Paraprofessionals, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Recruitment fairs, Special events
    Submitted by: Eurania Lopez  eurania@sfsu.edu

  • EduCorps Nominations

    CSU East Bay is creating an EduCorps community on our campus. Faculty from Education, Science and Mathematics are working together to nominate "Pre-Ed" majors and build momentum in preparing future math and science teachers.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Promotion by non-ed faculty, SCTA and other clubs, Special events
    Submitted by: CSU East Bay 

  • Email Campaigns

    Email messages are an excellent way to communicate with prospective teachers. They can inform your teaching candidates so they feel part of a community of future teachers.

    Population: Bilingual Education, Math, Other graduate, Paraprofessionals, Science, Special Education, Students of color, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Social media
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  kfuternick@calstate.edu