Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) is proud of its remarkable success in both recruiting and retaining teachers amidst the current challenging job market. The education sector has faced intense competition for talented educators and a scarcity of qualified candidates in recent years. Despite these challenges, QCUSD has excelled by implementing innovative recruitment strategies, fostering a positive and supportive culture that attracts top educators, and ensuring effective retention practices.
At QCUSD, our recruitment strategy is centered around offering a compelling and comprehensive package to attract and retain top talent. We provide competitive salaries that acknowledge the expertise and hard work of our employees. Alongside this, our robust benefits package includes health insurance and additional perks designed to support our staff and their families. We also prioritize professional growth by investing in meaningful professional development opportunities that enhance our employees' skills and career advancement. This combination of attractive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional development underscores our commitment to building a dedicated and high-performing team.
Our outstanding results reflect the exceptional leadership at all levels of our district, who are instrumental in creating positive and supportive workplace cultures. This focus on providing an enriching and collaborative work environment makes our district a highly desirable place to work. We have established systems to ensure our staff voices are heard annually. These systems allow for targeted actions and discussion with our leaders striving to improve the environment for all faculty and students. A veteran teacher, Mauricio Ramirez, who has been with QCUSD for 22 years, shared his perspective: "Working at Queen Creek High School means family, community, integrity, and building relationships with our students and staff, as well as leading our students to be the best they can be. I am always supported by administrators and colleagues. The culture at QCHS has always been the best, and I wouldn't want to teach anywhere other than QCUSD.” This approach not only ensures that the school culture remains dynamic and responsive but also empowers teachers, making them feel valued and integral to our collective success.
Queen Creek Unified School District was one of the only East Valley school districts to successfully fill every certified teacher position for the 2024-2025 school year—a notable achievement compared to other districts facing staffing shortages. This success highlights our impressive teacher retention rates, which minimized the teacher vacancies we had to fill. According to Arizona Department of Education statistics, 15.75% of teachers in Maricopa County left their Arizona teaching positions, and 5.05% changed school districts (Local Education Agencies, LEAs). In contrast, only 13.26% of QCUSD teachers left their Arizona teaching positions and 4.92% moved to other school districts (LEAs).
Our district’s unwavering commitment to excellence significantly upholds QCUSD’s esteemed reputation. By focusing on targeted recruitment, nurturing a positive work culture, and prioritizing the growth and well-being of both students and staff, we sustain high standards and enhance our ability to attract and retain exceptional talent. This dedication ensures that QCUSD remains a highly desirable district for top educators and administrators, solidifying our role as a leader in education.
Dr. Amy Kramb is the chief human resources officer at the Queen Creek Unified School District.
