The Durango School District 9-R, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, will host a regional educator recruitment fair on Saturday at Miller Middle School.
The event aims to attract educators from across the Four Corners and provide opportunities for those interested in a career in education to connect with potential employers. School districts and colleges from multiple states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Wyoming, will participate.
The fair will feature booths from several districts and organizations, including Fort Lewis College, which offers alternative licensure pathways for aspiring educators. The Colorado Department of Education will also be present to discuss statewide job openings.
“It’s a pretty big event. It's not just a Durango-based fair,” said Karla Sluis, spokeswoman for Durango School District 9-R.
Durango School District does not necessarily have problems recruiting teachers and attracting prospective employees, Sluis said. The town itself, as well as the school district and the competitive wages 9-R offers, are huge incentives, she said.
Starting pay for teachers in the 9-R district is $51,500, almost $15,000 more than the state average salary of $37,124.
But just like with any business, there's always a need to be actively recruiting, Sluis said.
“With around 450 employees, there’s a lot of changeover of teachers who are retiring and those who are moving out of town,” she said. The regional aspect of the event helps the district “pull new blood.”
Sluis encouraged anyone who is curious about a career in education to attend, even if they are not yet certified teachers.
“The quicker you can network and meet people, and get a sense of what the community is about, the faster you'll find that perfect job fit,” she said.
The district has 44 vacancies, including teaching positions, interventionists, counselors and special service providers. Some openings do not require a teaching license and could serve as a steppingstone for those exploring the field, Sluis said.
“We just want to make sure the door is wide-open for anybody interested in education,” Sluis said.
Pre-registration for the event is encouraged, as 9-R already has 90 interviews scheduled. The fair will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“If you love kids and feel that pull toward working with them, it’s worth exploring – even if you’re not 100% committed to becoming a teacher,” Sluis said.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
