Mid-year is a time for looking ahead at what is left to be done which includes planning for next year. I have sent out a form to employees checking on their plans for next year. I received very few responses back indicating resignation or retirement. Woodland is signed up for two career fairs, one in Tacoma on March 27 and another in Portland on April 2. If we do have any openings our presence at the fair and gathering resumes will help us in hiring certificated staff.
This month I have several opportunities to train which is very enjoyable. Kyla Keefer invited me into her classroom to talk to seniors about job interviews and scholarship interviews. I talked about dressing professionally, a good handshake and practicing answering questions to become more at ease. The majority of the students were engaged and asked great questions about how to be more prepared in these interviews. I also spoke at WSU about how to be successful at the upcoming job fairs. In past years some of the students have pursued Woodland because of connections they make in person so I find this valuable to get in front of students before the fair and it gives them helpful tools as they begin their job searches.
I am attending the Washington School Personnel Association (WSPA) conference on February 25-27, where I attend classes specifically focused on Human Resource issues and network with other people in the field. I have found this conference to be very helpful and the connections I make beneficial in looking at business practices and processes I create for the district.
The Educator Equity Data Collection tool became active this month. This tool compares teacher’s certificates with the classes they are teaching. In August I work with the principals to identify any staff who may be teaching out of endorsement and those are then placed on the consent agenda for board approval. The tool identified some who had been missed in August so you will see them on this consent agenda.