By Kelli Sharpe
(JACKSON, Miss.) — Jackson State University is doing its part to help end the teachers’ shortage by filling the gap with upcoming graduates. The JSU Career Services Center hosted the national 2026 Teacher Recruitment Fair on Thursday, March 19, open to all students and alumni, for placement in K-12 classrooms.
“The Career Services Center has a long collaborative history with hosting this event for our education majors,” says Lashanda W. Jordan, Ph.D. executive director of JSU Career and Student Services. “We believe this event is important in assisting our students with launching their careers in the field of education.”
Shacaylah Williams, a senior elementary education scholar with an emphasis in social studies, said she left the recruitment fair feeling confident about her teaching future. With access to so many employers, she was hopeful about fulfilling her dream of shaping young minds and using her platform as a teacher to inspire students.
“Coming in, I was overwhelmed, nervous and unsure, but after connecting with so many vendors, it all started to feel doable. Now I see myself as a viable candidate, and I’m ready to keep working and growing,” said Williams.
The JSU Career Services Center secured 55 school districts to participate in the recruitment fair, including Mississippi public schools districts from Biloxi, Canton, Columbus, Grenada and Jackson. Others from across the country were Kansas City Missouri Public Schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District, Alexandria City VA Public Schools and the Rockford Public School District 205, in Illinois.
Black Men Teach was among several agencies looking to recruit JSU students. Sean Sweat and DeSean Smedley represented the organization.
“The candidates were very serious and professional,” said Sweat who serves as Impact Director for Black Men Teach. “They asked thoughtful questions, showed genuine curiosity, and had a clear understanding of their next steps. Overall, they were articulate and high-quality across the board.”
Smedley is in his second year with the organization. As College Cohort Director, he was also impressed with how JSU’s rising professionals networked and represented themselves. “It’s a really good experience for us this year. The level of engagement stood out. Students came ready, and it felt like a high-quality, well-organized, and thorough event overall.”
The goal of Black Men Teach is to build and engage a fellowship of Black male educators and to provide a framework that strategically unites efforts with key partners who are dedicated to advancing educational equity.
Graduate student Alex Gittens shared the same optimism as his peers, and looks forward to stepping into his new role as an educator. Gittens believes that securing employment is the best return on his investment. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Art in Teaching.
“JSU has opened my eyes to new perspectives and opportunities, and what I appreciate most is the range of options available, and the real support after graduation,” Gittens said. “You go to college to build a future, and JSU truly helps make that happen.”
The Teacher Shortage Crisis
Mississippi is estimated to have over 6,000 vacancies statewide, including teachers, administration and support staff, according to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). The results are from the Educator Shortage Survey conducted by MDE, August 2025 through November 1, 2025. In 2024, the state ranked 46 in teacher pay. MDE reports that low teacher pay is a contributing factor to the constant turnover rates, along with “burnout” and poor benefits. The largest shortage is for teachers in Math, Science and Special Education.
Currently, Mississippi lawmakers are working to reconcile competing proposals for teacher pay raises. The Senate approved a plan that would provide a $6,000 raise for teachers statewide and an additional $3,000 for special education teachers. The House passed a phased approach that would give $5,000, spread over three years. Leaders in both chambers are now working to draft a final bill that resolves the salary differences before the end of the legislative session.
In July 2025, the Learning Policy Institute published a report on teacher vacancies nationwide, citing nearly 46,000 unfilled positions, using data from 31 states and the District of Columbia.
JSU alumna Florence Cocroft said attending the recruitment fair brought back fond memories of her time at the university and looking for employment.
“I earned my master’s here in 2004, and being back now, I see so much of myself in these students. Their bright minds and enthusiasm fill me with pride. It’s clear Jackson State is still producing high-quality scholars,” said Cocroft.
As the executive director of Career Services Center, Jordan said the recruitment fair is an opportunity for JSU to position itself as a top producer of educators in the metro area, across the state, the nation and among HBCUs.
“The JSU Teacher Recruitment Day provided us the opportunity to showcase our talented students and ensure school districts across not only the state of Mississippi but the country know that our program is top-notch,” added Jordan.
Visit our website to find out more about JSU’s College of Education and Human Development, the teaching program and requirements.
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