Tips For Finding and Keeping Top Talent in Education: Insights from a Seasoned Expert

At a time when schools and school districts are facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent, the advice of seasoned education leader Nate Lichte is more valuable than ever. With a career spanning over two decades, Lichte has seen firsthand the difficulties of attracting and keeping the best educators in the classroom. As Vice President of K-12 Solutions and COO of Lebra, he will be sharing his insights at the upcoming EdExec Summit in Chicago, and we caught up with him to learn more about his approach to finding and keeping top talent in education.

Background & Context

Nate Lichte's passion for education began early, thanks to his mother, who was an eighth-grade teacher. Growing up, he didn't get the traditional bedtime stories of superheroes and fairy tales; instead, he was regaled with tales of leadership and the importance of making a positive impact on others. This upbringing instilled in him a lifelong passion for leadership, which has driven his career in education.

From his early days working with college students in higher education to his current role supporting school superintendents, Lichte has always been driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of educators and their students. His experience has taken him through various sectors, including juvenile justice and corrections education programs, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges facing schools and school districts today.

Key Details

According to Lichte, the education sector is uniquely challenging, with school leaders facing intense pressure to recruit and retain top talent. "Right now, a lot of districts are talking about recruitment because we're dealing with this shortage of teachers," he notes. "The immediate thought is, 'Let's go get more teachers.' We're not talking enough about retention. It's far less expensive and far more impactful to create an environment where the best people choose to stay."

Lichte emphasizes that teachers are not motivated solely by compensation; rather, they stay in their roles because of great leadership, a sense of purpose, opportunities for growth, trust, flexibility, and an authentic relationship with their school community. "The best people want to work for someone that genuinely cares about them," he says.

So, how do schools and school districts create an environment that attracts and retains top talent? For Lichte, it starts with understanding what matters most to their brightest stars. "Determining what matters most to the brightest stars in your school's universe is key to keeping them," he advises. This involves getting to know your staff, their needs, and their aspirations, and creating a culture that supports and values them.

Lichte is clear that culture is not something that can be created through superficial gestures, such as throwing a pizza party or ordering a snack cart on Teacher Appreciation Day. Rather, it requires a deep commitment to creating a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and empowering. "Culture isn't something you can write on a wall," he says. "Culture isn't something that happens because you throw a building a pizza party or order a snack cart on Teacher Appreciation Day. Those small things are great and may lead to a positive culture, but nine times out of ten, that's not what builds a healthy culture of belonging."

What Experts Say

Lichte's insights are particularly relevant in today's education landscape, where schools and school districts are facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent. As he notes, "The education sector is extremely unique, and presents difficult challenges for school leaders, who are under tremendous pressure. Every district is distinct, but most are facing the same challenges when it comes to staffing."

His emphasis on the importance of retention is a timely reminder that, in the long term, it is far less expensive and far more impactful to create an environment where the best people choose to stay, rather than constantly recruiting and training new staff.

Key Takeaways

• The education sector is uniquely challenging, with school leaders facing intense pressure to recruit and retain top talent.
• Teachers are not motivated solely by compensation; rather, they stay in their roles because of great leadership, a sense of purpose, opportunities for growth, trust, flexibility, and an authentic relationship with their school community.
• Creating an environment that attracts and retains top talent requires understanding what matters most to your brightest stars and creating a culture that supports and values them.
• Culture is not something that can be created through superficial gestures; rather, it requires a deep commitment to creating a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and empowering.

What This Means For You

For schools and school districts, Lichte's insights offer a clear roadmap for creating a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. By understanding what matters most to their staff, creating a culture of belonging, and prioritizing retention over recruitment, they can build a high-performing organization that supports the success of all stakeholders.

As a parent, educator, or simply someone who cares about the success of schools and school districts, Lichte's advice is a timely reminder of the importance of creating a workplace culture that values and supports the people who make a difference in the lives of our children.

So, what can you do to support the success of your school or school district? Start by getting to know your staff, their needs, and their aspirations. Create a culture that supports and values them. Prioritize retention over recruitment. And, most importantly, remember that the best people want to work for someone that genuinely cares about them.