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"It is much more sensible to be an optimist instead of a pessimist, for if one is doomed to disappointment, why experience it in advance?" - Amelia Peabody Emerson

SEEING TEACHING CANDIDATES IN ACTION

Annette Heng gave advice about "Hiring the Right Person" in the September, 2001 issue of Child Care Information Exchange. In this article she strongly recommends going a step beyond the interview before hiring a new teacher...

"Once you narrow it down to the final candidate or candidates, it is important that you see them in action. Have them interact with other teachers in your center. How do they present themselves? Are they friendly? Do they ask questions? Do they seem interested in the teachers? Leave the candidate alone with the other teachers and have them share experiences. (Prior to this happening, you should advise your current staff that you value their opinion and will be bringing the candidate into their classroom to observe and interact.) Watch to see how they react to the children. Do they smile? Get down on the children's level? Offer to get involved?

"The key to the retention of any employee is making every attempt to connect them with the center. The time spent talking, interacting, and observing will be time well spent. Over the years as I have interviewed teachers about their longevity in a center, the question I ask is, 'Why have you stayed here at this center for so many years?' The answer most commonly given is 'because I have a connection here and it is like a family.'

"During the demonstration stage, your staff and the candidate are connecting. The time spent during this most important stage of the interview is critical to you in making an educated decision."

Exchange offers several valuable resources in finding and selecting quality staff:

We partner with Scheig Associates to provide the field with simple, yet powerful screening tools for teachers and directors. You can learn about these tools at http://www.ischeig.com/childcareexchange, or better yet, you can stop by the Exchange booth (#2233) at the NAEYC Convention Exhibit area on Friday, November 7 and meet with Scheig representatives to learn about their tools first hand.

You can advertise for employees broadly and inexpensively on our web site. Check this out at http://mail.ccie.com/jobs/index.php?action=form.

Finally, you can check out the many Exchange articles on staff selection (including Heng's article cited above) at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0034

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