Durham Public Schools on Saturday hosted its annual Spring Job Fair.
More than 700 people registered for the fair, and 400 people showed up in person at Northern High School.
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It’s been a lifetime since Milton Jordan was a student in Durham Public Schools, but his experience inspired his decision to try to return, this time as a newly licensed assistant vice principal.
“Just seeing the growth Durham has, and [just] always having that itch to come back,” Jordan said. “The ability and opportunity to just come back home and be an AP, to share my stories [and] to add to the foundation of this great system? I would love to have that opportunity.”
Jordan’s return comes as school districts across North Carolina are experiencing shortages in staffing and the number of classrooms without a qualified teacher has grown for years.
According to state data, more than 4,600 classrooms didn't have a qualified teacher in fall 2025, according to the new data. That number topped 6,700 classrooms by the 40th day of the school year, a point at which schools may have cut or added positions based on enrollment or had success or issues hiring or maintaining initial hires.
Durham Public Schools is looking to fill roles in teaching, student support, operations and more. Superintendent Anthony Lews said a decline in people pursuing education and a lack of value placed on educators directly affect students.
“About 70% of our beginning and new teachers here in Durham Public Schools are alternatively certified,” Lewis said. “So again, the more that we can recruit individuals who are certified, or who are willing to go through the certification process, and who are committed to doing public schools, the better for our student outcomes.”
However, DPS Executive Director of Talent Acquisition Michelle Hayes says certification goes beyond your credentials.
“Do you like kids? That’s number one,” Hayes said. “Do you like working with students and with young people? Are you committed to coming to work every day and working with students?”
At this year’s job fair, some candidates were immediately offered jobs through on-site interviews and one-on-one conversations, putting Durham Public Schools one step closer to meeting its staff goals and achieving stellar student outcomes.