Recruiters will be on The University of Memphis campus Tuesday,encouraging graduating education majors to teach in classroomsacross the country.
Schools systems from as far west as Kansas City, Mo., and as fareast as Raleigh, N.C. -- more than 50 in all -- have committed tohave representatives at the 12th Annual Education Career Fair tofind prospects with the potential to fill teaching vacancies.
Facing a constant battle of attrition, the Shelby County SchoolDistrict has to fill about 250 teaching positions yearly, said AlmaWilliams, human resources supervisor of Shelby County Schools.
"Retirement, relocation, career change and a constant increasein the number of students in our system each factors into thenumber of positions we have to fill each year," Williams said.
The fair is free, and all students, even non-education majors,are encouraged to stop by, said Clay Woemmel, assistant director ofCareer and Employment Services.
"It's a great networking opportunity for sophomores and juniors,and students in other fields may see something that draws themtoward education," Woemmel said.
Recruiters however will mostly focus on the seniors graduatingfrom the Department of Education this spring, said Bonnie Cummings,coordinator in the Department of Instruction and CurriculumLeadership.
"There is not a shortage of people who want to teach. There is ashortage of qualified teachers," Cummings said.
New state and national legislation requiring more stringentlicensure criteria is one of the things causing U of M graduates tobe in demand.
"When it comes to things like certifications, recruiters knowour graduates are ready to go. Many of this spring's graduates willbe teaching in classrooms this fall," Cummings said.
Men, especially black men, like Dale Norwood, are especially indemand.
"This is my second fair. The first time they were ready for me,but I wasn't ready for them. Now I'm ready," said Norwood, seniorelementary education major.
To help attendees standout in the crowd, Woemmel has a fewtips.
"Appearance is a very important thing. Many students thinkbecause the fair is at school that it's OK to wear what theyusually wear to class everyday, but this turns many potentialemployers off," he said.
Business casual is the suggested attire, Woemmel said.
Students should focus on a few of the representatives they arereally interested in and prepare a short one- to two-minute speechgeared toward that representative's institution, Woemmel said.
"You are selling yourself so, like a commercial, you want tokeep your presentation short but informative enough to make itmemorable," Woemmel said.
To lure prospective students, Shelby County Schools use atrifecta that includes a good comparative starting salary,mentoring for professional growth and active parentalinvolvement.
"We are looking for highly educated and highly motivated peopleto teach our children," Williams said.
