Would-be Teachers Woo Employers at Expo

Approximately 180 current and former Teacher Development Center students, UT Dallas students and interested persons from the surrounding community met March 11 in the Student Union hallway outside the Galaxy Rooms, and they were on a mission.

They were out to meet the recruiters from 41 Texas public and private schools and make a favorable first impression that would lead to a job.

Meanwhile, the recruiters were on the other side of the doors hurriedly making last-minute preparations to their booths. When the clock struck 1, the would-be teachers flooded the hall to speak with school representatives.

Everett Brunson, headmaster at Longview ISD’s Longview Global High School, made his first trip to the UT Dallas Teacher Expo because he needed to hire four science and three math teachers for his STEM academy. Longview ISD has previously participated in the job fair; the district also sought teachers for English and social studies.

“When you want quality math and science teachers, you come to UT Dallas,” said Brunson.

About 100 student teachers finish preparations each semester through the University’s Teacher Development Center, meaning that they’ve completed student teaching requirements and have earned their degrees. Most are undergraduates.

“As I walked around the room, I was so proud of our students,” said Scherry Johnson, director of the Teacher Development Center. “They were well prepared to ask and answer the right questions – and they looked and acted very professionally. I am confident that most, if not all of the 180-plus attendees, will find good teaching jobs. That is no small accomplishment for any college graduate in this economy.”

Sponsored by the UT Dallas Career Center, the Teacher Expo is held each March and attracts spring as well as fall graduates.

“The job outlook remains strong for teachers at the K-12 level,” said Karen Baynham, Career Center career programs coordinator. “Even when there have been reports of districts laying off people, some continue to hire.”

The University has held a career fair for teachers for more than 20 years. Priority is given to UT Dallas students, but other interested applicants are also welcome.