13 Oct 2008
District is Helping Educators Land New Career Opportunities at 'Destination Safe Landing' Job Fair to Take Place October 21
DALLAS–Teachers and other Dallas Independent School District staff soon to be released from their positions will be getting help to land on their feet.
Human development officials from Dallas ISD are working around the clock in collaboration with businesses and community organizations to help employees displaced by the district's financial crisis land new careers.
The school district has worked with community and business leaders to put together a huge job fair on October 21 at the Dallas Convention Center. Teachers and other workers will meet face to face with employers that day, and many will leave the building with job offers in hand.
"Our teachers and staff work very hard to help children learn, and many of these dedicated workers will now need to find new jobs because of the financial crisis," said Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD Superintendent of Schools. "Our human development officials have been on the phones working non-stop with more than 100 businesses, school districts, and community organizations ready to hire our talented educators. These are professional, talented, and experienced people and we will do everything that is in our hands to find them a great job."
Dallas ISD officials are offering teleconferences for teachers who want to interview for jobs in other school districts that will not be represented at the job fair. Dallas ISD is inviting school districts from all over the state to attend the job fair, but those who can't make it will have a chance to interview teachers by teleconference.
Dallas ISD's reduction in force is necessary to avoid a projected $84 million budget deficit for the 2008-09 school year.
"We have worked diligently to help every employee possible find another job within Dallas ISD while recognizing that the district must operate leaner and more efficient than ever before to improve our financial circumstances," said Dallas ISD Chief Human Development Officer Kimberly Olson. "This job fair has been given the title of Destination Safe Landing because the Dallas community has united to provide opportunities for our staff."
Teachers and other contract employees released due to the reduction in force will keep their benefits and will be paid their full salaries by Dallas ISD until January 16, 2009. The school district's Human Development Department already is providing help updating resumes, polishing up on interviewing skills, reaching out to potential employers, and even providing office space and web conferencing equipment to expedite the interview process.
Business, education and community organizations from The University of Texas at Dallas to Southwest Airlines have recruiters anxious and ready to meet the qualified candidates at the October 21 job fair, and already there are more than 100 employers, including dozens of school districts, registered to participate. School district officials are sending personal letters and making calls to displaced employees to provide information about the event sponsored by Dallas ISD, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, the Dallas Regional Chamber, City of Dallas, and the United Way.
Displaced Dallas ISD employees with questions about the job fair, substitute teaching, opportunities to earn certification in critical subject areas, assistance identifying vacancies at other school districts, obtaining service records, and more can call the district's Human Development Department at (972) 925-4200 for assistance.