Attract and retain talented faculty by inviting them into your school community, investing in their careers, and inspiring them to advance in their profession!
Teacher numbers are dwindling in schools and districts across the United States as many leave the profession and the popularity of teacher education programs wanes. As a result, the most qualified candidates can choose from an array of professional options. How do you make sure they will want to commit to your school?
In Make Your School Irresistible, authors Carrie Bishop and Jessica Holloway explore ways to reframe personnel practices and center teachers to boost the appeal of joining your school community. Drawing on their coaching and teacher leadership experience, the authors introduce three vital components for recruitment and retention: invite, invest, and inspire. Practical strategies, relatable scenarios, and real-life examples demonstrate what to do - and not do - to attract top candidates and support existing staff in ways that allow them to grow and thrive in their careers. School leaders will learn how to
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Communicate a compelling school identity and brand through social media and other vehicles.
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Establish effective processes for all stages of engagement with candidates, from recruitment and interviewing through onboarding and mentoring.
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Develop mindsets and behaviors that convey respect for all staff and nurture their personal and professional growth.
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Build leadership capacity within and outside the classroom, for the benefit of both individuals and the larger school community.
Armed with this guidance, you will be better prepared to find, attract, and retain the great teachers who will contribute to a promising future for your school, your students, and your community.
"This wise, grounded, clear, and organized book is both an invitation to action and a plan for school leaders who want to work with faculty to create and live out a worthy story about what their school stands for—to demonstrate why their story matters to everyone in the community served by the school. The book provides a trustworthy compass for envisioning, enacting, tending, and nurturing the story over time. Make Your School Irresistible made me wonder why all school leaders don't do all these things all the time, even as it led me to understand that many of us have needed this guide all along."
- Carol Ann Tomlinson, William Clay Parrish Jr. Professor Emeritus
School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia
The Book Study Outline
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Chapter 3. Welcoming New Team Members
Chapter 4. Prioritizing People
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Chapter 5. Believing in Your Team
Chapter 6. Igniting an Eternal Flame
Chapter 7. Building Capacity
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Chapter 1. Unveiling Identity
Chapter 2. Inviting Excellence
Plus the Conclusion: Your Next Steps in Inviting, Investing, and Inspiring!
The Authors:
Carrie Bishop is the Head of School at Point Christian Academy in Chattanooga. Throughout her career she has championed servant leadership building her reputation for empowering teachers and the students they serve to achieve their full potential. She has been twice honored as the Hamilton County, Tennessee Teacher of the Year, and her passion for the profession knows no bounds.
Jessica Holloway has built her career on leading through innovative practices that transform professional learning to directly impact student outcomes. She believes in the power of relationships, mentoring and coaching, and the rich human potential to make the future a promising place for our children. She is a member of the Worthy Speakers Bureau and a champion for educational technology to transform the learning space for staff and students.
