Round Lake District expands teacher recruitment with grow your own strategy and outreach efforts

Round Lake CUSD 116 is taking significant steps to address staffing challenges in its schools, particularly in special education and bilingual education, as discussed during the recent Board of Education meeting on May 5, 2025. The district is implementing innovative recruitment strategies aimed at attracting and retaining qualified educators, including partnerships with local colleges and universities.

One of the key initiatives highlighted is the BloomBoard program, which offers current licensed teachers pathways to obtain special education and ESL endorsements. The program is already seeing interest, with a second cohort set to begin this fall following a successful information night. Additionally, the district is collaborating with the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) to support staff members who are not yet certified but hold bachelor's degrees. This one-year residency program will provide intensive training and mentorship, preparing participants for teaching roles in special education.

The meeting also addressed the broader staffing landscape, noting a critical need for psychologists, social workers, and speech pathologists, alongside traditional teaching roles. To tackle these shortages, the district is exploring partnerships with historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions, focusing on building connections within Illinois before expanding outreach to other regions.

Efforts to enhance recruitment include promoting staff referral programs and showcasing employee experiences through digital media. The district aims to create a more dynamic outreach strategy that goes beyond traditional job postings, targeting specific organizations related to the fields of psychology and social work.

In addition to these strategies, the district is considering financial incentives such as signing bonuses and stipends to attract new hires. They are also exploring flexible scheduling options for guest teachers, allowing for a more personalized approach to recruitment.

As Round Lake CUSD 116 moves forward with these initiatives, the district is committed to fostering a diverse and qualified teaching workforce that meets the needs of its students. The focus on internal growth and community engagement is expected to strengthen the educational environment and enhance student outcomes in the coming years.