I’m a teacher in a great district. My long-term partner is also a teacher who is looking to move jobs. My school is currently hiring and they applied for the job. Would it be appropriate to pass their name along to my principal as someone who would make a good candidate?
I wouldn't but if they put you down for a reference and ask you about the person you can certainly recommend them as a great candidate. I had a friend who applied to my school and she put me down as a reference. The principal called me and asked if she would be a good fit. I said definitely and she got the job. I wouldn't have felt comfortable referring by word of mouth or calling him myself because it was my friend and i was biased but since she put me down as a reference I gave my honest opinion that way.
I think it's perfectly fine to say that you know a candidate and you think they are a good fit because of XYand Z (Specific reasons) This of course is not why someone is hired, but I think it is fair if current team can help qualified candidates to interview table.
I think it's fine to pass along the name IF you're honest about your relationship. Saying that someone you worked with in a previous school is great for xyz reasons is totally different than recommending your own partner.
I generally dislike the culture of “Know somebody” to get hired, and while this isn’t exactly that, it’s in the same thread, if you ask me. If they use you as a reference and admin asks you about it, absolutely mention why they’d be a good candidate (specific reasons). Otherwise leave it be. At least that’s my thoughts.
