The first column in the table below describes some of the common obstacles that teaching candidates encounter when considering a career in education. The second column lists strategies that have been used to address these obstacles. Most of these strategies are described in this website's recruitment toolkit.
| Obstacles | Strategies |
|---|
| Financial Pressures |
- Tuition costs and loan debt
- Temporary loss of job income
- Costs for exams
- Teacher pay too low
| Publicize widely: - Grants and scholarships
- Internships and residencies
- Evening credential programs
- Exam fee reimbursement
- Compensation packages including benefits
|
| Exam Pressures |
| - Test prep workshops (in person and online) and tutoring
|
| Socio-Cultural |
- Absence of diversity in the teaching profession
- Absence of diversity in credential programs
| - Develop diverse communities of practice with teaching prospects, credential students, and PK-12 mentors
|
| Employment Concerns |
- Won’t get hired in desired districts
- Will get laid off
| Publicize widely: - Local employment opportunities
- Employment opportunities and layoff trends
|
| Status |
- Lack of respect from peers, family, media, and society
| - Emphasize purpose-driven careers and the impact teaching has on individuals and communities
- Interact with PK-12 role models
- Invite parents to recruitment events
|
