Wands, Wisdom, and Weirdos - Choosing Your Magical Staff
By Harry Potter
Let's be honest—no matter how beautiful your school is, or how brilliant your classes are, it's the people who bring it to life. The professors and staff you choose will become the soul of the place. They'll inspire, challenge, and occasionally terrify your students (in the best possible way). Choose them well.
Now, I won't pretend that finding the right people is easy. You're not just looking for experts—you're looking for mentors. Wizards and witches who care about teaching, who aren't afraid to handle enchanted essays that bite, and who believe in helping young minds discover who they are.
Start with the Essentials
You'll want at least one strong professor for each core subject:
A Charms Master with a spark of mischief.
A Potions Professor who knows the difference between Wolfsbane and wishful thinking.
A Herbology Expert who doesn't mind getting their hands (or face) covered in Stinksap.
A Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher who's both brave and wise—ideally someone who won't get jinxed halfway through the term.
A Transfiguration Specialist with patience and precision (and a very high tolerance for chaos).
A Care of Magical Creatures Instructor who genuinely loves every beast, from Flobberworms to fire-breathing dragons.
Look Beyond Qualifications
A stack of NEWTs isn't enough. Your staff need the kind of experience that doesn't always show up on paper. Maybe your Divination teacher once dreamed of a thunderstorm that saved an entire village. Maybe your Alchemy professor spent years unraveling a single, perfect transmutation spell. Magic isn't just taught—it's lived.
That said, it's good to have a few... colorful personalities. You'll want someone eccentric, someone mysterious, someone who always wears mismatched socks. These are the ones students talk about for decades. (Yes, I'm thinking of you, Luna.)
Don't Forget the Unsung Heroes
Caretakers, groundskeepers, cooks, spellwrights, healers, librarians—your school needs them all. Trust me, a good librarian with a well-placed glare can command as much respect as any professor.
You might also want:
A Magical Healer or school nurse (especially with dueling classes around).
A Keeper of Wards and Enchantments – someone who makes sure the whole place doesn't vanish overnight.
A Spellcrafter-in-Residence – to innovate and update school spells.
A Magical Counselor – because even young witches and wizards need someone to talk to.
Let Them Bring the Magic
When choosing your team, let their strengths shape your school. If your Potions Master is also a brilliant musician, maybe you offer Enchanted Music. If your Herbology professor is an expert in regional plants, your curriculum could include localized magic. Build with their passions, and your school will overflow with energy.
In the end, these are the people who will help your students grow—not just in magic, but in courage, friendship, and heart. Choose wisely, and you'll have a staff that turns your blueprint into a legacy.