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ABSTRACT
Teacher hiring is a critical lever for improving school outcomes. However, the availability of supply is a significant barrier that affects principals’ processes for teacher staffing. Drawing on sensemaking theory and concepts of fit, this study investigates how principals make sense of recruitment and hiring in a local labor market with severe teacher shortages. Findings illustrate labor market conditions constrained principals’ attempts to hire strategically and shaped new practices and hiring behaviors. By presenting a conceptualization of these hiring arrangements – strategic, creative, and transactional hiring – this study reveals the micro-negotiations principals make when recruiting and hiring in teacher shortage environments.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. Pseudonyms
2. The sample incudes 22 schools and 23 principals because two principals were interviewed at one of the participating elementary schools.
3. Data reflects NCES District Details (2016–2017)