Starting on February 24, 2026, NASDTEC will release the first of a three-part podcast series, What’s Going On…with Teacher Hiring and How LEAs Can Be More Effective. These three episodes set the stage for our upcoming webinar, Better Practices Leading to More Informed Educator Hiring. In Part 1 (February 24), Danielle Pickens, CEO of the Urban Schools Human Capital Academy, explores how local education agencies can pinpoint where workforce systems are breaking down—and what leaders can do to strengthen them. In Part 2 (March 10), Paul Bruno of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shares research-driven insights on how districts can hire more effectively across roles and student populations. In Part 3 (March 24), Dan Goldhaber, Director of Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data and Education Research (CALDER), discusses lessons from research conducted with the Spokane school district on strengthening candidate vetting practices.

Each podcast guest will continue the conversation as a panelist in Better Practices Leading to More Informed Educator Hiring, bringing deeper insight, practical strategies, and real-world examples to help education leaders make smarter, data-informed hiring decisions. Tune in to the full podcast series—and then join us live to engage directly with these national experts shaping the future of educator workforce practice.