The Warren Central Intermediate School gym will transform into an employment center Saturday when the Vicksburg Warren School District holds its annual teacher recruitment fair.

The fair will go from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the school, 2147 Sherman Ave. and is open to certified teachers or other people with degrees interested in becoming teachers. Principals will be on hand to interview prospective candidates for teaching positions.

“It’s been very successful,” said Dr. Lennie Little, school district human resources director. “We’ve been able to recruit teachers for the vacancies we have because we post our vacancies early so we will know what positions will be available.

“We’ve also been able to recruit career-changers; non-traditional teachers who decide to go into the teaching field.”

Little said the vacancies are posted on the school district’s website and through the websites of other educational organizations like the Mississippi Professional Education Association.

“We have a pretty good turnout (for the fair),” Little said. “Generally, when the doors open, we have 10-15 individuals waiting to come in.”

She said applicants come from across the state, adding most come from within a 50-mile radius, “Because most of them can drive that on a daily basis if they opt not to move to the city right away.”

Also, Little said, applicants come from other states, including teachers from Louisiana and people who will be moving to Vicksburg.

Certified teachers are asked to bring copies of their resume and their current teacher’s license so a principal can immediately determine if the applicant is qualified for the available vacancy.

People with degrees who are not certified to teach, Little said, should bring their resume and transcript.

Little, who is a certification officer, said she meets with the non-certified applicants to review their resumes and explain the process to be certified. The transcript, she said, will help her determine if they have enough college credits to become a teacher.

The fair’s goal, she said, is to be able to hire teachers to fill the vacancies “on the spot. All of the principals and directors will be there with display tables and other people to support their school, and they (applicants) get an interview on the spot if necessary.”