Excitement and energy buzzed throughout the Administration Building and Discovery Lab Learning Center as more than 150 interested educators visited with campus principals and staff and district leaders about opportunities to join the EMS ISD family. Throughout the day, cheers and celebrations erupted as candidates signed employment contracts for the 2023-2024 school year.

"What a great day we had rolling out the red carpet to welcome our newest employees to our district," said Rochelle Williams, EMS ISD Employee Relations Coordinator who facilitated the event. "We visited with so many talented educators and everyone was excited to hear about our district and the opportunities we had to offer them. Having our administrators available to complete the hiring process on site showed our candidates that we are committed to providing a high-quality experience for our employees. I'm so thankful to everyone involved who helped make this inaugural event a success."

Nearly 60 future educators across elementary, middle and high school levels were offered contracts as part of the first EMS ISD Hiring Fair on Friday, March 24, 2023. This inaugural event was focused on teaching positions and related instructional services. 

Unlike a traditional job fair where candidates come to get information about hiring possibilities, EMS ISD leaders planned the event as a hiring fair so that candidates could walk away with signed contracts and all their hiring details finalized in one day. In addition to personnel from the Human Resources team, leaders were on hand to assist with benefits, school enrollment or transfers for their child (if needed), and health services through the EMS ISD Employee Clinic partnership with BeWell Primary Care.

Candidates arrived to a spirited welcome from cheerleaders and dancers representing all three comprehensive high schools and entered the building on a red carpet walkway. Campus principals and representatives of EMS ISD's 30 school campuses were in attendance to visit and interview candidates, and all district administrative departments as well as several Board members were available throughout the day to greet and assist candidates.

"The inaugural Hiring Fair was an outstanding event that truly exemplified our commitment to providing an excellent education through the recruitment and retention of high-quality instructional leaders," said Dr. Jim F. Chadwell, Superintendent. "I had the privilege of reviewing every application that was submitted and approving every contract offered, and I am very pleased with the quality of candidates who participated. We are proud to welcome these individuals to our school district community and into the family of world-class educators we have here in EMS ISD."

A second EMS ISD hiring fair for non-instructional positions is scheduled for June 1, 2023. Please watch the short video below to see some of the new faces who attended the inaugural hiring fair and will be joining the district for 2023-2024.