BGSU Teacher Job Fair sees record number of schools, students interviewed

Hosted by the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections, the fair resulted in 617 on-site interviews

Bowling Green State University held its annual Teacher Job Fair on March 30 and 31, which broke records for the number of schools and students in attendance. The fair, which had both in-person and virtual components, was hosted by the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections.

This year, 268 students checked into the in-person event, compared to 246 check-ins in 2022, and 169 school districts attended, compared to 138 districts at the event last year. The fair invited school districts to network with potential employees for two hours in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Lenhart Grand Ballroom, followed by a three-hour interview window to discuss open positions.

Of the 169 school districts in attendance, 110 conducted on-site interviews after the networking portion. The Hub checked in 106 students for these interviews, resulting in a total of 617 interviews that afternoon. Meanwhile, the virtual Teacher Job Fair had 137 students registered and 71 employers/school districts registered, with 164 one-on-one sessions filled and 77 group sessions taking place.

BGSU is one of Ohio's largest producers of teachers, and its commitment to addressing the teacher shortage issue extends beyond the Teacher Job Fair. The University and the College of Education and Human Development work directly with more than 80 school districts in northwestern Ohio, establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. It has even established a pipeline with the second-biggest district in the state -- Cleveland Metropolitan School District-- and expanded its reach into the south.

In addition to regularly pairing teacher candidates with local school districts – both for field placement and jobs after graduation – the University's involvement in Project IMPACT has paid off for both BGSU and a selection of major partner districts close to home. Project IMPACT, a partnership between the University and local school districts, aims to provide professional development and support to new teachers during their first two years of employment.

The University's commitment to addressing the teacher shortage problem is a testament to its dedication to producing highly qualified and skilled teachers. The success of this year's Teacher Job Fair shows the significant impact BGSU is making in addressing the teacher shortage not just in Ohio but also in other regions.