Winter 2023

Cover Story

Improve Lineup When Attracting And Retaining Talent

Changes in the labor force have brought a spotlight on wages post-pandemic, but how can you use benefits to attract and retain quality candidates? This article will look at labor market conditions and share some creative benefit solutions to help you get ahead in the game.

By Brian O’Keeffe, LeeAnn Taylor and Lisa Yefsky

Articles

Mapping the Future: Navigating Staffing Shortages in Illinois Schools with Data and Analytics

In today’s educational landscape, where staffing shortages make headlines, Illinois school districts need more than just planning—they need precision and insight. This article will explore the market value of teaching positions and how data & analytics can help districts assess strengths and areas of improvement.

By Taylor Plumblee

Crucial Conversations & Effective Evaluations

Honest feedback is crucial for evaluations to be effective, and managers should provide guidance and support to help their team members improve. Fear of confrontation often prevents managers from having difficult conversations, but it’s essential to overcome those fears and address poor performance or inappropriate behavior. 

By Louis J. Pepe

Onboarding to Retain and Exiting to Mitigate Risk

If you view onboarding and exiting as solely a functional process, you are missing the opportunity to start a relationship that provides respect, support and job satisfaction to employees. Identifying how we can incorporate the Fulfilling Five into the functional aspects of this process will result in a more vital organization, greater employee satisfaction and improved retention.

By Philip S. Georgia

Observations, Perceptions, Inferences of Our Illinois Educators

The governance of public education in America has undergone significant changes, but most children have not benefited from them. The observations and perceptions of Illinois educators are explored in this article, which highlights the challenges and the need for flexibility in meeting the needs of students and teachers. 

By Suzana Peterson,

Strengthening Recruitment Through Your Why and Branding

In the competitive environment of PreK-12 education, attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers is essential for the success of any school district. Effective teacher recruitment depends on salary, benefits and a solid and engaging brand. This article aims to share easy strategies for any school district that wants to strengthen its brand and better attract and retain outstanding educators.

By Vicki Larson

New Employee Orientation Checklist

The key to a successful onboarding of new employees is a well-structured new employee orientation program. This checklist will detail key points in department policies and initiate an introduction to the workplace.

By Doug Renkosik