Six strategies to inspire future educators

Key points:

As teacher shortages continue to challenge K-12 education, it is essential that school and district administrators create pathways for high school students to experience the teaching profession. This will allow them to better understand if it is a career they would like to pursue. By inspiring the next generation of educators, we can develop this honorable profession to ensure that all students receive the care and support they need to thrive.

To help, here are six ways school leaders can encourage students to consider careers in teaching, which will benefit K-12 education in the long term.

1. Develop professional and technical education paths.

Offer a career and technical education (CTE) curriculum, a progression of industry-focused classes that create accessible pathways for students to acquire the skills necessary for college and career success, introducing students to the career industry teaching. At FlexPoint, we have a Teaching Principles curriculum that provides high school students with the technical and soft skills necessary to become professional educators. At the end of the curriculum, which includes three courses, students can earn certification by taking the Professional Teaching Exam.

Each course offers field experience, allowing students to explore teaching through guided observations and real-life scenarios. This allows students to fully understand if this is the career for them.

2. Provide practical work experiences

Partner with CTE student organization like Future Educators of America (FEA). These organizations provide students with hands-on demonstrations and work experiences, including:

• Project-based learning: FEA club members can plan events where they create and implement lesson plans, showing them how students learn best.
• Competitive and networking events: Students can participate in competitions at the local, state, and national levels, where they can get feedback from educational professionals and make connections with their peers.
• Community Service: Students can participate in service-learning projects that emphasize the social impact of teaching, highlighting how educators can positively shape communities.

My advice: Give students a space to showcase their projects, allowing them to reflect on their efforts while helping them connect with school leaders and families.

3. Hire teachers who like to teach

Great teachers often inspire future educators. When recruiting, look for those who can inspire a deep understanding of your subject and who have a high level of emotional intelligence. These qualities foster strong relationships between students and teachers and showcase teaching as a fulfilling and impactful profession.

4. Create peer mentoring programs

Adding peer tutoring programs to your school or district allows middle and high school students to help younger students while developing virtual skills like active listening and providing feedback. This hands-on experience can inspire students to view teaching as a meaningful career choice. Here are additional elements to consider when creating peer mentoring programs:

• Structured training: Provide training to student tutors so they know how to communicate effectively, provide constructive feedback and ways to interact with younger students.
• Support supervision: Arrange for teachers to mentor their peer tutors, helping them with session planning and addressing challenges as they arise.
• Flexible delivery: Offer both in-person and virtual options to make tutoring more accessible to students in various learning formats.

My advice: Have student tutors reflect on their experience through journals or meetings with educators, helping them evaluate their interest in the professional and strengthen key skills.

5. Celebrate teachers all year long

Constantly recognize the hard work of your teachers. Simple acts of gratitude remind students of the value and impact of the teaching profession. Below are some ways school leaders can continue to recognize their amazing teachers:

• Weekly focuses: Feature a teacher each week during school announcements, emails, or on your social media channels, highlighting their successes and contributions.
• Community and student recognition: Work with your students and parents to learn how teachers have positively influenced their lives, and then ask if you can share those stories in weekly communications.
• Participation in local media: Partner with local media to share teacher accomplishments, reinforcing the value of educators in the broader community.

My advice: Encourage students to write thank you notes to their teachers, giving them the opportunity to reflect on the positive influences in their lives and see firsthand the rewards of teaching.

6. Collaborate with higher education institutions

Partnering with local colleges and universities can broaden students' exposure to the field of teaching. Host events with education professors or create mentoring programs to show students a clear path to teaching careers. Initiatives could include:

• Workshops facilitated by the university: Invite college professors or education specialists to present their experiences, introducing students to college-level courses and the realities of a teaching career.
• Mentoring programs: Match high school students with college education careers or recent graduates by giving students one-on-one time with people who are currently in a teaching career.
• Excursions and job observation: Arrange visits to education departments at local universities, where students can attend classes or follow their colleagues in classrooms.

My advice: Work with universities to offer dual enrollment credits for teaching-related courses to help students get a head start on an education degree.

By fostering an environment where students can explore, experience, and appreciate the teaching profession, administrators can inspire the next generation of educators and help combat the teacher shortage.