PMP312: Ideas for Teacher Recruitment and Retention with Kristi Kirschner and Danny Massey
Summary: <br> Schools across the U.S. continue to respond to teacher shortages. <a href="https://www.k12dive.com/news/white-house-meeting-focuses-on-teacher-shortage-solutions/631024/">On September 1, the White House announced recruitment partnerships to addresses the challenges</a>. Groups like the National Center for Grow have partnered with states including California, Florida, Missouri, North Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming, <a href="https://www.k12dive.com/news/network-helping-states-explore-registered-teacher-apprenticeships/629667/">to design apprenticeship programs to help shape policy and provide feedback to the Department of Labor</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> In Brazosport Independent School District, south of Houston, Texas, education leaders have launched innovative programs addressing the need as well. This week I’m joined by Brazosport ISD Superintendent Danny Massey and Kristi Kirschner, Chief Human Resources Officer, to talk about ways their district is responding to teacher recruitment and retention.<br> <br> <br> <br> Danny Massey has been in public education for 33 years. He has been an educator in the Brazosport Independent School District for 31 of those years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri Southern State College, holds a master’s in education from Texas Southern University and a superintendent certification from Region 4 Education Service Center and St. Thomas University in Houston. He served as a special education teacher and athletic coach, an Assistant Principal, Principal, Executive Director, Assistant Superintendent and beginning his 8th year in his current position of Superintendent of Schools.Danny has been recognized for numerous achievements including: <br> <br> <br> <br> * 2020 Region 4 Education Service Center Superintendent of the Year;* 2020 Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year; * 2020 Ambassador of the Year in by the non-profit Friends of Texas Public Schools<br> <br> <br> <br> In 2016, the Brazosport LULAC Council selected Danny as their Educator of the Year for demonstrating nthe values and characteristics of leadership to improve the economic and educational opportunities for the Hispanic community. Danny is known for his transparency, visibility, and positivity throughout the district. He is most proud of the student academic improvements throughout the district, and the passing of two bond referendums which are transforming the district with new state of the art campuses and facilities.<br> <br> <br> <br> Kristi Kirschner serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Brazosport ISD. After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, Kristi started her human resources career in the manufacturing and oil & gas industries, where she served in both client support and leadership roles. After 12 years in industry, she continued her human resources career in education, with the most valuable product of all: our youth. Kristi has a passion for connecting with people, finding innovative solutions and utilizing her knowledge in human resources to support the organization and human capital initiatives.<br> <br> <br> <br> 1. Can you summarize your district’s efforts in teacher recruitment and retention and how you have enhanced those efforts in light of teacher shortages?<br> <br> <br> <br> Danny and Krist share innovative programs including:<br> <br> <br> <br> * Ghost Organization Hiring – filling positions ahead of attrition* Grow Our Own – 2 Opportunities (Earned Associates degree and complete Bachelor’s or ACP)* Paid University Interns* Apprenticeship Program -> Residency Pathway<br> <br> <br> <br> The partnership has developed a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) to address an employer driven need to grow and develop high-quality teachers in a profession that is high growth, high demand, high skill,
