Make Your School Irresistible: The Secret to Attracting and Retaining Great Teachers

by Carrie Bishop, Jessica Holloway

Overview

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

• Communicate a compelling school identity and brand through social media and other vehicles.
• Establish effective processes for all stages of engagement with candidates, from recruitment and interviewing through onboarding and mentoring.
• Develop mindsets and behaviors that convey respect for all staff and nurture their personal and professional growth.
• 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416633525
Publisher:	ASCD
Publication date:	01/31/2025
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Carrie Bishop is a middle school instructional coach in Chattanooga, TN. Previously she served as an academic lead, supporting school leadership teams at 19 K–12 schools, and as a school-based instructional coach. Carrie has held various teacher leadership roles and hosted over a dozen preservice teachers. She has twice been named districtwide Teacher of the Year, and she also received a teacher leadership award from the Public Education Foundation. Earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Carrie also completed K–12 administrative licensure coursework at Carson Newman University. Carrie’s passion lies in serving students and empowering those who guide and shape them for a brighter future.

Jessica Holloway is a district innovation coach focusing on creative and innovative practices that transform student learning experiences. In her nearly 20 years in education, she has served in various roles including middle school language arts teacher, school-based instructional coach, new teacher mentor, and professional learning facilitator. She is a 2019 ASCD Emerging Leader and a 2024 Google for Education Certified Innovator. Jessica holds a post-master’s certificate in school leadership from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a master’s degree in education, specializing in adolescent literacy and technology, from Walden University. Jessica is a champion for building the competence and confidence of educators so they can flourish as leaders.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Make Your School Irresistible provides education leaders with a rationale, tools, and strategies that can be put into practice immediately to address the critical educator labor market issue schools are facing today. The authors recognize that it is now an educator’s market, and it is time to shift the focus to inviting, investing, and inspiring so that schools are magnets for the highest quality educators who can make the greatest impact on student learning. This is a great advocacy tool and resource for any school leader, school leadership team, or district leader who supports school leaders and coaches.
—Dr. Sharon Roberts, president, Leadership Innovations Inc. and senior advisor, SCORE

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 and co-author of Leading for Differentiation: Teaching the Teachers who Teach the Kids

In Make Your School Irresistible, the authors offer a dynamic, practical approach to transforming school culture. As an instructional coach at a hard-to-staff Title I middle school, I've seen firsthand how their strategies invite, invest, and inspire educators to thrive. This book is an invaluable resource for leaders committed to building a supportive, engaging school environment.
—Dr. Jasmine Everett, instructional coach at a Title I middle school

In a world swirling with opinions about education, there’s something we can agree on: We need great teachers. But how can we find and keep teachers when district budgets are tight and time is scarce? Here's the good news: There are things we can do! Carrie and Jessica have curated a sizable collection of practical strategies that stand the test of time. Oh, the good that this book will do!
—Tanny McGregor, educator and author of Ink and Ideas: Sketchnotes for Engagement, Comprehension, and Thinking

In this cutting-edge text, Carrie Bishop and Jessica Holloway emphasize that retaining teachers means inspiring them to grow as leaders and nurturing their potential, even if it means letting them soar and move on to new opportunities. By supporting highly effective teachers in pursuing their own goals, leaders not only retain talent in the short term but also contribute to a culture of growth and lifelong learning that strengthens the entire educational community.
—William D. Kennedy, former vice president for Leadership Initiatives and director, Principal Leadership Academy, Public Education Foundation and former teacher, assistant principal, and principal, Hamilton County Schools, Tennessee

Make Your School Irresistible is a transformative guide to building belonging in schools.

What sets the book apart is its emphasis on how to build belonging through intentional actions. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting your leadership journey, this book equips you with strategies to attract top talent as well as retain and empower them to do their best work.

In a time when teacher retention is more critical than ever, this guide is a beacon of hope for creating schools where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued. Educational leaders looking to inspire and sustain long-term success will find this book to be an invaluable resource.
—Kelly Hastings, implementation leadership coach

Make Your School Irresistible is a must-have for school administrators focused on teacher retention. It provides practical tools for building a strong, empowered faculty culture; clear assessments; and action steps for real impact. Having collaborated with Jessica, I've seen how effective these strategies can be, especially in my school's journey toward STEM Designation through the Tennessee Department of Education. This book offers invaluable guidance for any leader committed to retaining excellent teachers and driving positive change.
—Jeremy Jones, principal, Valley View Elementary School, Cleveland, Tennessee