At Durham Public Schools’ annual job fair at Hillside High this spring, school administrators filled the hallways. Tables were laid out with pamphlets and displays advertising each school to candidates who trickled through. Principals lined the lockers, scouting out their next hire.
Principal Gloria Woods-Weeks was seeking candidates to fill multiple teaching positions at Riverside High. She and her staff were all dressed up in their school colors, giving a little extra effort to stand out in the crowd.
I’ve been in education going on, what 27 years, and I can honestly say that this is the most difficult year I have seen as far as not only recruitment but retention of educators.
Alvera Lesane, Durham Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
“It is a bit more challenging since the pandemic,” Woods-Weeks said. “We’re all looking for the most highly qualified candidate that is present today, and so it becomes a little bit competitive.”
