49 Ways to Network: 2016 Educators’ Exchange Co-sponsored by the Center of Pedagogy and CEHS Career Services

On Tuesday April 5^th CEHS Career Services in collaboration with the Center of Pedagogy held its annual Educators’ Exchange, a career fair for K-12 educators. Open to student teachers and alumni, each year the Exchange brings together current and future job seekers with representatives from local schools, districts, and employers. The event gives student teachers and graduates a chance to network with other professionals, ask questions, offer résumés, receive feedback, and – in some cases – conduct preliminary interviews. This year over 250 attendees had the opportunity to talk with administrators, employers, and HR professionals from no less than 49 educational entities.

The event opened with a keynote address from Dr. Barry Bachenheimer of Pascack Valley Regional High School District. The Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Dr. Bachenheimer addressed the crowd with his talk, Top Ten ‘Secrets’ to Landing Your First Teaching Job. A returning speaker, Dr. Bachenheimer covered such topics as how to prepare for an interview and how social media can help or hinder your job search.  He was impressed with the caliber of networking going on at the event and the passion demonstrated by those entering the field.

A recent graduate, Eric Chenet is currently looking for openings in either Physical Education or Elementary Education. Out of the schools in attendance, Chenet came armed with a targeted list of 29 with whom he wanted to speak. “The representatives made me feel comfortable [asking questions],” Chenet said. “I was nervous when I came in, but talking and getting to ask questions, I’m comfortable now.”

Then there was Rachelle Noel and Rebecca Rodgers, classmates who came to the event together. For them, who they talked to came down to a matter of pedagogy; both were targeting districts known for their inclusion classrooms. Of a similar mindset was Gianna Slader, who expects to graduate this coming May with her Dual Degree / Dual Certification in P-3 and Special Education. The program prides itself on developing teachers dedicated to inclusive instruction for students with disabilities, a sentiment Slader and others said was important when prioritizing which tables to visit.

Job seekers were not the only ones happy with the day’s proceedings. In fact, a survey of participating employers noted the quality of the students and how well they were prepared.    Sporting their best professional attire and toting portfolios filled with résumés, our students made a positive impression on the employees.  Contributing to their level of preparation, many students had participated in “Mock Interview Week” offered by CEHS Career Services in March, which helped them polish their skills and gain confidence. 

It was a common narrative that day, one echoed by Marie Fontanges. For her, the Educators’ Exchange was an opportunity to meet potential employers, network, and further hone her skills. She stated, “I got to see what different districts look for… it was a wonderful  experience…I made great connections.”