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Finding and Hiring High Quality CTE Teachers

• Kevin E. Rice, Assistant Director
• Brad Elwood, Supervisor of CTE
• Central Westmoreland Career Technology Center
• New Stanton, Pennsylvania
• www.cwctc.org

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Session Format

• Introduction of topic
• An overview of CWCTC practices
• Small group activity Best practices from other
  CTCs
• Whole group share
• Wrap up discussion

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Experts in the hiring process?
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Session Objectives

• Increased awareness of effective hiring practices
  in CTE
• Enhanced strategies related to human resource
  process
• Ultimately..

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Through sharing our collective best practices in
hiring We can all be Experts
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Importance of Hiring Process

• ISLLC Standards
• Ethical Obligation to Stakeholders
• Building Culture
• CTE Reform Initiatives
• Demands of the Job
• Administrative Investment

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CWCTC Snapshot

• Located near Turnpike in New Stanton, PA
• Established in 1963
• Ten participating districts
• Average Enrollment 1,143 students
• 23 Approved CTE Programs
• Total faculty size 38
• Other Content Mathematics, Health/PE
• Cohort 1 TAP School

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Realities at Central Westmoreland CTC

• Leadership change in July 2008
• From August 2002-present there has been a 42
  turnover of CTE Faculty
• Math Program being eliminated
• Health/PE Program being implemented
• Enrollment decreased 5 from 2006-2009
• Early stages of renovation began in 2009

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Hiring Issues

• From August 2004-August 2008 we had a 27
  turnover of CTE Faculty
• In July 2008 new administration expected
  additional CTE Faculty turnover
• Historically, applicant pool for CTE Faculty
  positions was small. An average search would
  produce 5-6 candidates

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What could be done to address these concerns????
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Root Causes

• Narrow approach to seeking applicants
• Language used in posting CTE teaching positions
  too technical/specific
• Expectation to quickly fill positions
• Established norms and school culture resisted
  changing practices

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Approach to seeking applicants

• Reliance on using a known individual to fill
  positions
• Adult Evening Instructor
• OAC member
• Other Contact
• Dates and Placement of Advertisement

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Language used in posting CTE teaching positions

• April 2005
• HVAC Instructor- Central Westmoreland Career
  Technology Center is seeking a qualified PDE
  certified HVAC instructor for the 2005-2006
  school year. Must have Vocational I or II
  Certificate in Heating, Air Conditioning (HVAC).
  Candidates should submit a standard PA
  application, resume, and Act 34 151 clearances
  to.

• July 2007
• Computer Programming Instructor- Central
  Westmoreland Career Technology Center is
  seeking a qualified PDE certified Computer
  Programming Instructor for the 2007-2008 school
  year. Must have Vocational I or Instructional I
  in Computer Information Science or similar
  certification. Candidates should submit a
  standard PA application, resume, and Act 34, 151,
  114 clearances to.

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New Language used in posting CTE teaching
positions

• ATTENTION WAREHOUSE MATERIALS HANDLING
  PROFESSIONALS
• Interested in a Career Change? The Central
  Westmoreland Career and Technology Center has a
  position for a Materials Handling Teacher -
  available December 5, 2008. We will assist the
  selected candidate in obtaining the proper
  certification once hired. Qualifications include
  minimum of five years experience in
  Warehousing/Materials Handling Field, a desire to
  work with high school age students, and good
  organizational and communication skills.
  Knowledge of UPS Tracking System is also
  preferred. To apply, send a letter of interest,
  resume, and at least three references to

• Painters/Wall Covering Professionals
•  
• Interested in a Career Change? Ever thought about
  becoming a TEACHER? CWCTC has an anticipated
  opening in August 2009 for a Residential and
  Commercial Painting/Wall Covering professional to
  teach high school students. We assist the
  selected candidate to obtain proper clearances
  and certification. Qualifications five years
  experience in Painting/Wall Covering Field, a
  desire to work with high school students, good
  organization communication skills. Experience
  in education a plus. To apply, send a letter of
  interest, resume, and at least three references
  to

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Other Strategies Used in Hiring Process

• Standardized Interview Questions
• The development of a quantitative scoring system
• Numeric Ranking of Candidates
• Second Interviews

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Results

• Applicants went from 5-6 for a CTE faculty
  position to an average of 30 per posting.
• The quality of applicants increased in terms of
  experience and education.
• New hired teachers that advanced at a faster pace
  in learning their role.

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Group Activity 1

• Break up into four (4) different groups
• On the front of an index card write a sample
  advertisement for a CTE teaching position.
• On the back, brainstorm with each other, and
  write down possible ideas to solicit candidates.

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Group Activity 2

• Use the many fishing lines in the pond activity
  sheet to complete the following use one (1)
  activity sheet per item. Brainstorm with your
  peers to identify topics (write on the fishing
  line) to help you assess the goal written in the
  circle (pond).
• Sheet 1 is titled Background and Experience
• Sheet 2 is titled Interview Questions
• Sheet 3 is titled Personal Characteristics
• Sheet 4 is titled Other items

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Thank you for attendingIf you have
questions stop up and see us.Orkrice_at_cwctc.org
belwood_at_cwctc.org