Summary:

Dr. Jim chats with Adam Bisenius, superintendent of Galva Holstein and Shaylor Cressland Community School Districts in Iowa, to explore strategies for building a talent pipeline in rural education. They discuss the unique challenges faced by rural districts, emphasizing early recruitment from local colleges, leveraging community ties, and fostering a supportive school culture. Adam shares insights from his career in educational leadership and college coaching, underscoring the importance of adaptability and relationship-building in attracting and retaining quality educators in remote areas.

Key Takeaways:

• Rural school districts face unique challenges in recruiting educators due to limited local populations and competition with urban areas.
• Engaging potential educators early, such as college sophomores and juniors, can position rural districts advantageously in the recruiting process.
• Networking among local superintendents and creating pathways for community members and students to transition into teaching roles can effectively build a talent pipeline.
• Offering teachers flexibility, creativity, and community support within rural schools can be key attractions for prospective candidates.

0:00 Building Talent Pipelines in Extremely Rural School Districts

2:14 Recruiting Challenges and Leadership in Small Rural School Districts

6:42 Balancing Contracts and Benefits Across Two School Districts

7:09 Recruitment Challenges in a Geographically Dispersed School District

9:00 Strategies for Recruiting Educators in Rural School Districts

12:15 Empowering Teachers with Creative Freedom in Small School Districts

14:22 Overcoming Student Teacher Placement Challenges in Rural Areas

16:21 Superintendents Collaborate to Fill Teaching Positions

17:37 Strategies for Building a Talent Funnel in Education

21:56 Building Community Connections in Small School Districts

23:32 Building a Talent Pipeline in Rural School Districts

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Adam Bisenius: https://www.rvraptors.org/o/rv/page/district-superintendent

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda

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