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Saturday, Feb. 07, 2009

Houston County expecting big turnout for teacher job fair today

Hundreds of Houston County teacher hopefuls are expected at Warner Robins High School today as the school system holds its annual job fair.

A combination of factors could mean a larger turnout than the normal 600 to 700 job applicants, said Tim Helms, director of human resources for the Houston County school system.

“We are expecting a lot more due to the state of the economy and the value placed on having a job these days,” he said. “We look for a lot of certified teachers and TAPP (Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program) applicants.”

The TAPP program is for people with college degrees but no education training who want to enter the teaching profession.

Helms said Carolyn Williams, executive director of the Middle Georgia Regional Education Service Agency, told him there was a large turnout last weekend at a similar job fair in Macon, and many of the people there were interested in TAPP.

“She said some people with CPA degrees were wanting to get in the profession to teach math,” Helms said.

But the anticipated influx of job-seekers may be vying for fewer positions, he said. “In the past, we’ve had about 150 to 200 new teachers each year for the system, but this year we’re seeing a downturn in the number of people who’ve indicated they will retire at the end of the school year. They look to be holding onto their jobs, even if they’re eligible to retire.”

Warner Robins High School is at 401 S. Davis Drive. The fair runs from 9 a.m. until noon. After opening remarks by Superintendent David Carpenter, “it’ll be hustle and bustle as we turn them loose to meet and talk with school principals,” Helms said. Each of the system’s 37 elementary, middle, high and specialty schools will occupy a classroom for interviews.

Judy Moore, the TAPP coordinator for Middle Georgia RESA, will give presentations in the auditorium at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for those interested in entering the program. The system is looking for teachers in all curriculum areas, Helms said, and especially in math, science and foreign languages.

“Throughout the state, these three curriculum areas are highly sought,” he said. “Sometimes it’s tough to find teachers in those areas.”

He offered some basic advice for job-seekers.

“Here’s what you need to do get a job: One, come to the job fair; two, meet a principal. They know what positions are open or needed at their schools,” he said. The school system, because of its reputation in the state, always has an extensive pool of applicants from which to pick, he said.

“There are a couple of things in our favor: Teachers want to come here, and that’s something that’s known all through the state; and many, many people will come to the job fair,” Helms said.