12 | HR Connection
Growing Their Own
Denton ISD’s innovative program to recruit teachers starts in Kindergarten
D
enton ISD’s innovative Teach Denton campaign began in 2014. Their “Grow Your Own” program is a long term investment that identifies Denton ISD students for future teachers. The students are nominated to join the Future Teacher Academy. The program targets every grade level in the district—from kindergarten to 12th grade. It encourages staff members to identify students who would make good teachers. Those students are then paired with mentors and provided education and training classes in the district’s Advanced Technology Center. The mentors also help students with the college application process. And students who seek teaching positions in the district after graduating college are given priority hiring status.
MISSION OBJECTIVES • Identify Denton ISD Students, in grade K-12, who exhibit natural talents and traits. • Provide mentor support to those identified Denton ISD Students who would be excellent candidates for Teach Denton. • Increase the number of students in education & training classes at the Advanced Technology Center. • Monitor the number of former Denton ISD students who then return to their childhood communities as teachers. • Increase diversity of new teachers hired to reflect the demographics of the community. WHY WE MUST GROW OUR OWN
“Traditional recruiting in Not effective in hiring teachers that connect with students in our classrooms. We must develop INNOVATIVE strategies, be INTENTIONAL in hiring and ultimately SECURE the right candidates”, Emily McLarty, Director of Staff Engagement
“We must develop INNOVATIVE strategies, be INTENTIONAL in hiring and ultimately SECURE the right candidates.” During a training session, Ms. McLarty starts with an exercise. “Stop and take a deep breath and remember that teaching is the most important work, educating kids is the most important work in the
