Teaching is not a simple 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. Its enduring, frustrating, rewarding and selfless. But the demand for high school teachers is extensive and vast.
Schools are expanding, the curriculum is more difficult, and teaching is now becoming a shrinking field. But future generations need intelligent, strong and diligent people to guide and show them how to become productive and integral members of society.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville held its annual Teacher & Education Career Fair from 12 to 2 p.m. in the MSUB Ballrooms.
More than 30 schools all across Texas had booths, banners and brochures set up. The event benefits students who are seeking employment as an educator, exploring student teaching options, or looking to enhance their professional careers in education.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet with representatives from various school districts and create a network of relationships while also obtaining information about each school.
“I think when I was in the field and just seeing things that I wanted people to learn, things they should’ve learned when they were in school, like how to adapt in situations, how you should be social with other people. I mean you go out to be an adult and then you realize that you don’t know how and after seeing that I just wanted to help teach them these things,” said Shay Sicinski, assistant director of Human Resources for Bryan I.S.D.
The national average starting teacher salary is $38,617. This number makes it hard to attract the new generation of teachers. Many students are apprehensive to jump into the teaching field, but most of these fears are unmerited and being a teacher has many benefits.
Teachers receive summers off, their wages increase with each year of experience, but most importantly they help mold and guide the minds of future presidents, police officers, doctors and engineers. Currently, recruiters are trying to target the freshly graduated generation and transform them into professional and adaptable teachers.
“They [this generation] can relate to the students particularly the secondary students, kids who are closer and have the same interest as they do. And all the older people are retiring so we need to replace them, a lot of retirees now so we’re growing a new crop of teachers,” said Steve Cook, the chief human resources officer for Killeen I.S.D.
The event was organized by Career Services, and was focused on helping graduates or students who are getting ready for graduation prepare and search for potential jobs and careers. The ballrooms were crowded with students ready to capture the eyes of future employers.
“I never grew up thinking I was going to be a teacher but now being here at functions like this it makes teaching feel really important. I think I would actually be happy teaching because I think the stress and the bad times would be worth it,” said Suzanne Torres, a history major.
