The process of hiring new teachers and staff is a critical event for any school. It’s not just about filling positions; it’s about building a team that shares your vision, aligns with your school culture, and contributes positively to the learning environment. Having the right people in the right place fosters an inclusive and thriving school community. 

Here are 6 tips to guide you through the interviewing process and ensure you’re selecting candidates who are passionate about social-emotional learning (SEL) and embrace your school’s culture.

1. Define Your School Culture: Before conducting interviews, reflect on your school’s values, mission, and goals. What qualities and attitudes are essential for someone to thrive in your school environment? Understanding your current culture helps you identify candidates who will contribute positively to it.
2. Alignment with Your Vision: Look for candidates who not only possess the skills and experience required for the position but also have a pedagogical philosophy that aligns with your beliefs in educating the whole child, including academic and social-emotional learning. Seek individuals who are not only competent but also passionate about contributing to the specific goals and values that define your school community.
3. Emphasize Collaboration: Look for candidates who demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with you, colleagues, students, and parents. A team-oriented approach fosters a supportive environment and strengthens areas of weakness within your team.
4. Prioritize SEL Through Thoughtful Interview Questions: Social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for student success and creating a supportive work environment. To ensure that candidates understand and value SEL principles, craft interview questions tailored to assess a candidate’s passion for SEL and alignment with your school culture. Use our free handout that includes 10 questions to evaluate candidates’ commitment to SEL principles and fit within your school’s culture. The interview questions delve into understanding, integration into teaching practices, relationship-building, collaboration, and self-care, providing a comprehensive view of the candidate’s readiness to embrace SEL principles and contribute positively to the school community. 
5. Seek Diversity: Embrace diversity in experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds among candidates. A diverse team enriches learning experiences and promotes understanding within the school community. Look for candidates who fit well with the team, promote collaboration and synergy, and help strengthen areas of weakness for overall staff growth and development.
6. Ask Deeper Questions During Reference Checks: Contact references to gain insights into a candidate’s past experiences by asking specific, and deeper, questions related to the candidate’s experience with SEL, teamwork, and adaptability within a school environment.
   1. In what ways has the candidate contributed to promoting a positive and inclusive school culture related to SEL?
   2. Share an example of how the candidate handled a challenging situation that required skills such as conflict resolution or supporting someone else’s emotional well-being.
   3. What are some ways the candidate prioritized their own social-emotional well-being and modeled healthy behaviors for students?

By incorporating these strategies into your hiring process, you can build a cohesive team that not only meets the academic needs of students but also nurtures their social-emotional growth. 

As you shape the future of your school community through intentional hiring practices, you are laying the foundation for an inclusive environment where both students and staff can excel.

Written by Sarah Fillion 2024