CONTACT William F. Clark william.clark@nhboe.net Office: 475-220-1591 Cell: 203.627.0356
Delegation from New Haven Public Schools travel to PR for Teacher Recruitment
New Haven, CT (June 28, 2017) - The New Haven Public Schools is a District Committee to proactive recruitment efforts designed to build a teaching workforce that is both highly qualified and also reflective of New Haven’s diversity. As a part of these recruitment efforts Lisa Mack, Human Resource Director; Dr. Abie Benitez, Director of Instruction; Carmen Rodriguez, Bilingual Supervisor; Debbie Breland, Minority Teacher Recruitment Coordinator; and Daniel Diaz, Coordinator of Parent Engagement engaged in a partnership with El Nuevo Dia in order to attract, interview and recruit teaching candidates from Puerto Rico. Through this project 180 prospective teaching candidates sent their resumes to Debbie Breland and Daniel Diaz. The 180 candidates were screened by a team of NHPS staff which included the HR Director, Supervisors and the Minority Teacher Recruitment Coordinator. A list of 43 candidates was scheduled with times and dates for a 30-45 minute interview in Puerto Rico.
On May 14 -19, Lisa Mack, Abie Benitez, Carmen Rodriguez, Debbie Breland and Daniel Diaz were welcomed to the Island of Puerto Rico with the purpose of interviewing those teachers who applied. Debbie Breland and Daniel Diaz visited a high school where they spoke directly to teachers about the specific teaching requirements for CT certification and they visited Caribbean University where they provided information to prospective teachers; they collected an additional 120 resumes at the university. After the interviews were completed and their credentials reviewed, a list of 25 highly qualified teachers were closely looked at with a possible invitation from the HR Director to expect a call for a second interview.
What the team found were certified teachers who are experts in the Sciences, Technology and Mathematics areas.
These teachers have transferable certification in the State of CT and they meet the stipulation of having taught 3 or more years in their area of certification; therefore, the candidates that were recommended are qualified to teach in all areas, all schools and all grade levels for NHPS.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Reginald Mayo noted, “The proactive recruitment efforts by the Central Office staff have been comprehensive and creative. The recent trip to Puerto Rico has demonstrated a potential pipeline of talent that can be hired into positions of need very quickly. I appreciate the hard work of the team that went to Puerto Rico to interview these candidates. These efforts along with many others will allow New Haven to be competitive in its hiring of qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of our community.”
We believe that all kids can learn, achieve, and rise to a bright future. Our purpose is to provide an outstanding education that extends beyond graduation and prepares our students to be the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers.
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