Summary:

In this episode of the HR Impact show, host Dr. Jim welcomes Dr. Leslie Bergstrom to explore leadership strategies within the K-12 education space. Dr. Bergstrom shares her insights on employee development and retention, particularly in educational settings where each decision can significantly influence both educators and students' futures.

Dr. Bergstrom underscores how budget constraints and the attrition of teachers from the profession shape her approach to talent management. With the Oregon School District's diverse urban, suburban, and rural landscapes acting as the backdrop, she discusses the importance of creating a cohesive talent strategy that marries these distinct ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultivating internal talent is as crucial as sourcing new educators, and the Oregon School District's leadership development initiatives exemplify effective strategies to encourage growth within the organization.
• Time and flexibility emerged as significant themes in retaining educators, leading to innovative approaches to the school calendar and daily scheduling.
• Dr. Bergstrom's participatory approach in the hiring process, including one-on-one interviews for all professional staff, sets a precedent for personnel investment and shapes the candidate experience positively.
• Implementing leadership opportunities such as the administrative intern program fosters talent growth even when educators do not pursue formal administrative roles.
• Stay interviews provided critical insights into why educators remain in the profession, prompting a focus on manageable workloads and job satisfaction.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction and overview of the topic of employee development and retention in the K-12 education space.

0:04:24

Exploring the challenges of building a cohesive talent strategy in a district with diverse communities.

0:07:50

The importance of organizational commitment and how it impacts teacher retention.

0:09:36

The impact of a collaborative hiring process on teacher retention and development outcomes.

0:13:15

Dr. Leslie explains how internal talent is cultivated and how principals lead with experience.

0:17:25

Dr. Leslie emphasizes the positive outcomes of the Administrative Intern program, whether candidates stay or go elsewhere.

0:20:13

Identifying the interests of individuals who aren't vocal about their career aspirations.

0:23:28

Dr. Leslie suggests various ways to connect with staff, including bus duty and recess duty, to foster open communication.

0:25:45

Dr. Bergstrom explains the use of surveys and stay interviews to gather feedback from employees.

0:30:41

Dr. Bergstrom discusses potential changes to the school calendar to create more breaks and time for collaboration.

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Leslie Bergstrom: [email protected]

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact