For years we have said that schools are made up of school buildings, school teachers, and school buses.  Human capital is the school teacher piece of the pie.  The term “capital” may sound impersonal, but we need to see our people as a resource just as we see our money as a resource.

So how do you improve your human capital?  With more than 80 percent of our budgets being spent on personnel costs, how do we maximize that financial investment?

First, focus your efforts on competencies, i.e. “What skills do we want our people to possess?”  After you answer those questions, ask yourself the following questions.

1. RECRUITMENT – Are we looking for potential teachers in places that provide the skills we think are important?
2. SELECTION – Does our interview process identify the skills we think are important?
3. INDUCTION – Do our new teachers know what skills we think are important?  Do they receive support in building those skills?
4. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Are our current teachers growing and improving in the skills we think are important?  Are we identifying needs and targeting our professional development to meet those needs?
5. COMPENSATION – Are we using our financial resources to compensate teachers who show excellence in the skills we value?  Are we offering career growth opportunities to those who show mastery of those skills?

Don’t treat teachers as just another asset.  But we need to understand that maximizing the resources and capabilities that our teachers possess is the true key to school improvement.  Know what you want, seek who you want, and improve what you have.  Enjoy.

Visit our website for more information at impacteducationgroup.com.

-Scott Lewis