Over 200 Participate in the 17th Annual Metro NY Charter School Career Fair

New York, NY

Earlier today, we welcomed over 200 candidates and recruiters at the 17th Annual Meto NY Charter School Career Fair. The event, produced by Charter School Jobs™, was held at Teachers College, Columbia University (“TC”). In addition to current TC students and alumni, over 100 certified classroom teachers from the general public came out to meet hiring managers from over 40 charter school organizations located mostly in the NYC area. However, we did have a couple of schools travel from as far away as Pittsburg, PA (Propel Schools) and Roslindale, MA (Brooke Charter Schools) searching for talented teachers.

This year we made the strategic decision to focus the event on classroom teachers. Whereas in previous years we recruited for all professional positions in a typical public charter school, (including pupil services, counseling, etc.), based on feedback from our client schools, we chose to limit admission this year to certified teachers and candidates enrolled in a an undergraduate or graduate teacher preparation program that leads to a teaching certificate. Based on conversations with employer schools at the conclusion of the fair, we are convinced this was the right decision. “Whatever you did differently this year, keep it up. We met several teaching candidates that we want to move on quickly” said Kristen Ahangari of Innovation Charter High School located in the East Harlem neighborhood in New York City.

“We really wanted to facilitate longer, more meaningful conversations between candidates and employer schools,” said Charter School Jobs CEO Kent Strong. “By prescreening all candidates to ensure they have the proper qualifications and limiting the candidate pool to teachers, we think we found a winning combination and our clients were happy so we are happy!” he added.
The competitions for certified teachers has reached a fever pitch in recent years. A multitude of factors including baby boomer retirements, sharp declines in teacher preparation program enrollment and a strong job market nationally are contributing to one of the most competitive teacher recruitment seasons in decades according to Mr. Strong.

It is an honor serving our charter school clients who work so very hard to provide an excellent education to kids who historically have not been well-served by the public school system. As it has for over a decade, the Metro NY Charter School Career Fair completely sold out of employer tables months before event day. We are humbled and inspired by the continued confidence NYC area charter schools have shown in our business. We look forward to the continued success of our company and more importantly of our charter school clients.