Seeking the Elusive Fit: What Do Educational Leaders Look for When Hiring New Teachers for First Nations Schools?

Authors

  • Jerome Cranston University of Manitoba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37119/ojs2014.v19i3.132

Keywords:

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION, TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Abstract

This article reports on the preliminary findings of a qualitative research study that explored the perceptions of five directors of education in Manitoba’s First Nations’ educational authorities as they assess prospective teachers for fit for both their schools and their local communities. The findings of this study illustrate that in order to meet the challenges of teaching effectively in First Nations’ schools, those responsible for hiring teachers want to find candidates who (a) contribute to the establishment of a new culture of teaching in the schools, (b) form respectful relationships with students and other members of the particular First Nation community, (c) possess a worldview that is commensurate with those held by First Nations peoples, and (d) are competent to teach academic subjects and also support students’ development as Indigenous youth. I conclude with recommendations that can support the preparation of a greater number of prospective teachers capable of teaching effectively in First Nation schools.

     Keywords: First Nations education; Teacher recruitment and selection; educational leadership

Author Biography

  • Jerome Cranston, University of Manitoba

    Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education

Downloads

Published

2014-04-21

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2014): Spring 2014 Special Issue, Part 2: [Indigenous Education] in education

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).