ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s 9th annual Teacher Job Fair, held on Friday, Jan. 31, drew 43 schools and 82 teacher candidates for a day packed with meaningful conversations, practical insights, and promising career connections. From interactive roundtable discussions to a busy job fair, the event proved just how powerful building connections can be for future educators.

Organized by Melinda Johnson, M.Ed., field experiences placement coordinator, and Carly Bierman, career services coordinator, the day began with small-group discussions. The small-group discussions gave teacher candidates a real chance to connect with administrators, swap questions and ideas, and hear what schools are truly looking for in new teachers. By the afternoon, the room was buzzing as candidates checked out job openings and chatted about the many opportunities ahead.

“It’s always exciting when administrators tell us how impressed they are with our students’ professionalism and readiness,” Bierman said. “Events like this help our students explore their options and see what it takes to succeed. I’m already looking forward to planning our 10th annual Teacher Job Fair in 2026.”

The keynote speaker, George Hawkins, the 2024 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, kept the crowd engaged with stories from his teaching career. He talked about what he’s learned over the years and shared advice for future educators getting ready to step into the classroom.

“We’re so thankful for the chance to partner with schools across South Dakota and neighboring states,” Johnson said. “These relationships give our teacher candidates real-world experiences they wouldn’t get otherwise. We truly appreciate the dedication these schools show in supporting future educators, and we’re excited to keep building on these connections.”