WAYNE RESA TACKLES TEACHER SHORTAGE WITH JOB FAIR - TEACHERS NEEDED TO FILL MORE THAN 1,500 POSITIONS IN OVER 70 WAYNE, OAKLAND AND MACOMB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Wayne RESA Teacher Recruitment Fair, Monday, July 10, at Cobo Center

WAYNE, MI - (23 June 2000) - In the next decade, the U.S. will need 2.2 million new teachers in our schools. And within the next five to eight years, Wayne County alone will need to hire 10,000 new teachers. Attacking this national phenomenon on the local forefront is Wayne RESA, who has invited over 70 school districts from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to participate in this year's Wayne RESA Teacher Recruitment Fair held on Monday, July 10, 2000 at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"We had a tremendous response to our teacher recruitment fair last year with over 5,000 in attendance. This year Wayne RESA has invited the Oakland and Macomb county school districts to broaden this important Southeast Michigan initiative," states Mike Flanagan, Wayne County Superintendent.

In one day, certified teachers will have the opportunity to apply and interview for over 1,500 teaching positions with starting salaries of $34,000 up to $75,000 with 12 years experience, as well as speak with representatives from the individual school districts. Some areas of need include elementary, art, foreign languages, math, sciences, vocational and special education.

Area universities are reporting a large surge of career changers, people who are returning to college to obtain a teacher's certificate. The Michigan Department of Education and area university representatives will be available for career changers to discuss what it takes to get a teaching certificate.

"I have seen first-hand that good teachers make a difference not only in the lives of our young, but in our ability to maintain livable communities that compete economically to attract jobs and development, " states Flanagan. "The Detroit region is ranked 21st out of 351 metropolitan areas in North America for overall quality education. We not only need to maintain this status, but improve upon it, and I believe we can do it," continues Flanagan.

Those planning to attend the Wayne RESA Teacher Recruitment Fair should bring multiple copies of their resume; references; college transcripts from all colleges attended and teaching certificate, if applicable.

Wayne RESA provides educational services and programs to Wayne County's 34 school districts, more than 60 public school academies and 169 private schools - meeting the educational needs of the more than one-half million children of Wayne County.

For more information about the Wayne RESA Teacher Recruitment Fair at Cobo Center, visit resa.net or call 734.334.1716.