Turning the tables on teacher recruitment in the 21st Century: Partnering career services and teacher education for successful student employment
Abstract: In an effort to promote student employment success and 21st century skills in the classroom, Jacksonville State University in Alabama conducted a Reverse Education Fair for teacher education candidates in spring 2013. The fair offered recruiters an opportunity to browse candidate display tables and technologically delivered artifacts in a morning session and interviews candidates for prospective employment in the afternoon. The aim of this article is to discuss the design and execution of the Reverse Education Fair and the emerged responses, providing a baseline for future partnership decision making. Twenty-two recruiters representing 17 school systems and 75 teacher candidates participated. Data were collected using an online Education Fair Student Evaluation Survey (EFSES) following a four point Likert rating. The results of the survey reflect an increase positive perception. Data findings will assist in future development of fair offerings and student opportunities.