HIRING A TEACHER IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR MAKES
Introduction Susan Moore Johnson’s statement that “hiring a teacher is arguably the most important decision a school administrator makes” captures a central truth about schooling: the quality of teachers profoundly shapes students’ academic, social, and emotional development . While school leaders make many consequential decisions—about curriculum, discipline, budgeting, schedules, and community partnerships—few decisions have as direct and lasting an effect on students as choosing the adults who will teach them every day. A strong teacher can inspire curiosity, build confidence, close achievement gaps, and create a classroom culture where students feel seen and capable. Conversely, poor hiring decisions can affect not only student learning but also staff morale, school culture, parent trust, and long-term organizational stability. For this reason, teacher hiring should not be treated as a routine administrative task. It should be viewed as a strategic process that determines the ...