Norman Public Schools is hosting its annual Career Fair on March 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Nancy O’Brian Center for the Performing Arts. District officials invite veteran educators, student interns and soon-to-be graduates to learn more about the employment opportunities available in the district.
“Even if you aren’t ready to teach the next school year, we’d love to meet you,” invited Holly Nevels, associate superintendent and chief human resources officer.
Nevels and her team are working to get ahead of the curve in order to recruit “the best and brightest” to Norman Public Schools.
“Our principals worked really hard to capture highly qualified teachers,” Nevels said.
This effort has been a greater challenge in recent years as schools nationwide face a teacher shortage.
“Even though we have the advantage of being in the backyard of OU, we have been impacted (by the teacher shortage),” Nevels explained. “The real concern is the number of students choosing education as a college major. It’s a supply and demand issue.”
Nevels said that only about 30% of education graduates choose to stay in the state.
As a result, districts across the state have seen an increase in emergency-certified teachers. In 2018, NPS had 36 emergency-certified teachers. That number increased to 124 in 2024.
“The good news is that this school year we have 78 emergency-certified teachers,” Nevels said. “We are starting to see that trend in a different direction, resulting in more traditionally qualified teachers in Norman classrooms.”
NPS has several staff recruitment tools in place, including coaching to help emergency-certified teachers complete their required certification, a competitive salary schedule, paid health insurance for full-time employees and zero-cost before- and after-school care for employees’ school-age children.
Beginning in the fall, Norman Public Schools will offer teachers and staff access to an affordable care option for children aged 4 and younger. Thanks to the acquisition of the former Journey Church building, the district’s plan to open an early childhood development center has been expedited.
“We know that times are challenging when it comes to teacher recruitment and retention,” shared Ann Rosales, director of elementary teaching and learning. “When I was in the classroom, child care was a big obstacle.”
Nevels and Rosales both agree that the Norman community has a wealth of quality early childhood care options already in place, but they both see value in the school district adding another option.
“Since we don’t need to make a profit, we are able to help keep great teachers in the classroom by offering a high quality, affordable option, which will just make Norman stronger,” Rosales explained. “We are going to apply the same NPS philosophies to create a space where kids can grow and flourish.”
The center will be able to accommodate 60 children in the first year, and Rosales reported that early surveys indicated significant interest above initial capacity.
“It has been fun to share the news with our teachers,” Rosales said. “These efforts help teachers feel seen, valued and supported. We are excited to see how (the center) can grow, what partnerships we can create, and how we can incorporate high school students and career exploration. This will be another partnership to strengthen our work and our community.”
Rosales said that as the center grows and capacity allows, openings could be available to families in the community. To learn more about the career fair and NPS’s early child development center, visit normanpublicschools.org. – BSM
By Lindsay Cuomo
