Oct. 24, the Education Fair was hosted in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom of the Overman Student Center.
Director of Career Development, Kim Hull, said the event was for future educators.
“The education fair is specifically for students who are interested in being a teacher in a school district whether that’s elementary, secondary,” Hull said. “That can also include school counseling library certificates and school nursing.”
Hull said the event was important for connections.
“It gives you a lot of connections with people that maybe you hadn’t considered before,” Hull said.
The area was full of students and representatives of various school districts from just here in Pittsburg all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma and Blue Valley in Johnson County, Kansas. Hull said there were about 60 schools. That large number does not come out of nowhere, Jay Loegering, representing Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma cited a national teacher shortage.
“There’s a teacher shortage around the country,” Loegering said. “So you have to go wherever they are; Pittsburg State is a great location.”
Andy Gloshen, a Pittsburg State Alum, from USD 232 echoed this.
“When I heard there was a chance for us to get out here and do a bit of recruiting out in Pitt State, I took that opportunity right away,” Gloshen said.
Trey Katzer, a Pittsburg State Alum from Liberty, Missouri is recruiting for the Kansas City area.
“We do like coming to this area just to see who is available who might be interested in the Kansas City area,” Katzer said.
Hayden Miller, a career and technical education graduate seeking his master’s degree, further echoed the desire to fill an industry that has seen a decline in workers.
“I came here to network and see some of these schools are looking for teachers right now,” Miller said.
Despite the fact juniors and seniors usually attend events, Natalee Porter, a freshman majoring in early education, came to check out her options.
“I just wanted to see what all there is to get an idea when I am a senior what all the options I have,” Porter said.
Porter said the focus on looking for job opportunities is not just for the pay.
“(It is to) be able to spend more time for kids and helping little kids,” Porter said.
Hull said each school offers different opportunities.
“Each school is gonna offer something different,” Hull said. “Kind of a different incentive to work for them.”
Loegering reflected this.
“We have a medical academy (and) a construction academy,” Loegering said.
Gloshen said what differentiates his district from others is the rural and suburban make up of the district and a number two ranking statewide in academics.
“We have a nice blend of rural and also some suburban neighborhoods,” Gloshen said. “A very blended school district, ranked number two in the state when it comes to academics.”
Katzer promoted the small-town feel.
“Even though we have grown,” Katzer said, “I still feel we have that small-town feel.”