Brooke Kelly
Staff Writer
Representatives from 52 school districts across the nation were at Jackson State University last week looking for future teachers. Approximately 75 education majors along with other students considering teaching, attended this year’s Spring Student Teacher Recruitment Day, hosted by the Career Services Center.
“School districts were really impressed by our students,” said Terrence Johnson, coordinator at the CSC.
Job placement is the goal at the bi-annual event, which occurs in the fall and spring semesters.
One of the main benefits of Teacher Recruitment Day is having the opportunity to meet with school districts that students may have trouble visiting. School districts from North Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana and more states, had representatives at the event.
Applying online for teaching positions in various places is one part of getting the job, but Johnson said, having the opportunity to meet face to face with school district representatives is a unique benefit offered by Teacher Recruitment Days.
In addition to meeting one-on-one with school district representatives, students also had the opportunity to electronically send their resumes to the CSC for viewing by various school districts.
Jasmine Gholston, a senior elementary education major from Chicago, Ill., received numerous offers from school districts.
She believes that having a portfolio showcasing her teaching work aided in the job offers.
Her portfolio contained past lesson plans, reflections on lessons, data on student performances, observations, and pictures.
When recruiters ask, “Do you have any more questions,” Gholston advises, “Always have more questions to ask because it shows you are interested.” Questions such as: Are there teacher support teams for new teachers? or How do the schools implement discipline?
Non-education majors had the opportunity to get information on alternative certification programs, such as the Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program, which allows those who have completed undergraduate degrees in programs other than education to get teaching licenses.
The Teach Delta Region is under the M.A.T. program at Jackson State and Dennis Williams is the Liaison Officer for that program.
Williams thought the event was a success. “Many districts wound up with qualified candidates,” said Williams.
The Teach Delta Region program is an alternative teacher certification program for those who have a desire to teach in the Louisiana/Mississippi delta region. The program also is partnered with Jackson Public School District and other districts outside of the delta region.
In addition to the M.A.T. program, other school districts have their own alternative certification programs. Specific school districts in different states have different requirements. Johnson said the best thing students need to do is research the places they consider working at.
For more information on the M.A.T. program or the Teach Delta Region Program, students can contact or visit the JSU College of Education.
