Lee County School District hosts job fair amid teacher shortage

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – Lee County School District hosted their first ever winter recruitment job fair, Thursday evening.

The fair comes as schools battle a critical shortage of teachers. Lee Superintendent Dr. Gregory Adkins says the district loses millions of dollars a year hiring teachers who end up quitting in the first five years.

The district’s Compensation and Recruitment Director Christine Christensen says the district needs teachers at almost every level.

“All of our schools, the elementary, middle and high have current openings,” said Christensen.

The district held the fair in hopes of filling 70 open positions for the next semester.

Seamous O’Dunn doesn’t have a background in education, but has a degree in math and physics. He attended the event and was hired on the spot. He says he’s looking forward to teaching next semester.

“I love helping people understand math,” said O’Dunn.

The need for teachers is so great, Adkins says they’ve had to think outside the box when hiring.

“Many of these folks that come into our classrooms have never taught before, so we have to train them, literally, on the job,” said Adkins.

Some teachers like Alexis Perry, don’t agree with the controversial practice.

“I think it’s a bad idea. We need qualified teachers. There’s qualified teachers all over the country. If we have to go to recruitment fairs that are up in other states, we’ve got to do what it takes,” said Perry. “I don’t believe that teachers, or people who are not certified teachers should be in the classroom.”