Aspiring and experienced educators gathered Saturday at the Community High School District 218 Administrative Center to explore new career opportunities at the district’s Educators Career Fair.
The event, held at 10701 S. Kilpatrick Ave. in Oak Lawn, welcomed prospective teachers, social workers, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, school nurses, speech pathologists, and other education professionals. Attendees had the chance to meet district representatives and learn about available positions.
“I just moved into the area, and I am looking forward to getting hired into a position close to home,” said Patricia Colula, of Midlothian.
Community High School District 218 partnered with several area school districts to host the fair, including Atwood Heights District 125, Worth School District 127, Chicago Ridge District 127.5, Cook County District 130, Midlothian District 143, Posen-Robbins District 143.5, and the Eisenhower Cooperative.
“We truly value our collaborative partnership with Community High School District 218 and the opportunity to participate in the area-wide job fair,” Lisa Cole, Superintendent of Atwood Heights School District 125, said.
Carrie Tisch, assistant superintendent of Human Resources for Cook County School District 130, also expressed her gratitude.
“We are looking to recruit new teachers into a supportive environment and gladly welcome them into the District 130 family,” Tisch said.
Mike Jacobson, executive director of community engagement for District 218, emphasized the importance of the event in connecting job seekers with school districts in need of staff.
“This is an opportunity for us to both help our local schools find needed staff and bring opportunities for our community members looking for employment,” Jacobson said. “With the challenges districts are facing in hiring, we thought we would try to hold a larger event that brings multiple employers into one space. This way, we can help members of the community who are looking for a dynamic work environment while also addressing our staffing needs.”
Dr. Erik Briseno, assistant superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction for District 218, echoed Jacobson’s statement.
“These are our partner schools and this event is a way for us to promote and recruit future educators for the better success of our entire community,” Briseno said.
The event was open to anyone interested in working in a school setting, from recent college graduates to experienced educators looking for a change. Human resources representatives from multiple local districts were available to discuss job openings and answer questions.
Jacobson said the event benefits both educators and the broader community.
“We want our kids to have caring, quality adults in front of them, and we also want our parents and community members to have employment opportunities,” he said. “This is feeding two birds with one seed. Everyone benefits when we all coordinate and work together.”
District 218 serves students across three high schools: Shepard in Palos Heights, Richards in Oak Lawn, and Eisenhower in Blue Island, as well as smaller schools such as Delta and Summit Learning Center in Crestwood and the Adult Transition Program in Oak Lawn.
“Our schools provide programming that meets the needs and interests of all of our students,” District 218 Superintendent Dr. Josh Barron said in a statement. “We have a robust career tech education program, dual credit program, advanced placement, and college prep. There is something here for every student.”
Jacobson noted that the job fair eliminates barriers in the hiring process, making it easier for interested candidates to connect directly with schools.
“I like how this event brings our community together centered on the needs of the students,” he said. “I encourage many of my friends who are between jobs or looking for new professional experiences to check and see if their local schools need any positions filled. This job fair takes the middleman out of the equation.”
Everyone who attended had explored potential career paths within the district and its partners, making valuable connections with administrators and staff.
“District 218 is committed to positively impacting our community in as many ways as possible,” Jacobson said. “When we can help our kids and grow employment, it is a win for everyone.”
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