Hundreds Interview For Open Teaching Positions In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Is teaching a job, a profession, or a calling?
Of the 388 candidates who applied to city schools today, our Mike Schuh found one who appears to be exactly who they're looking for.
At the Baltimore City Public Schools New Teacher Talent Fair recruiters sort through candidates who have the qualifications and those who just want a job.
"We want someone who has a passion for helping our students. Baltimore is one of the largest urban environments in the nation, so we want someone who is going to hit the ground running," said Kim Williams, Baltimore City Schools.
"We are looking for candidates who have a desire to teach in city schools who have many options to teach in other school districts, but who particularly want to teach here in Baltimore," said Lisa Grillo, Human Capital Chief.
Alexandar Plimack, a private school teacher says he had a calling after he watched his city burn during the unrest in Baltimore.
"It was right around the time when I decided to move from the independent sector to public sector. And I realized, I'm born and raised in Baltimore and I wanted to give back to my community and this is the best way to do it," Plimack said.
City schools have taken hits for graduating people not ready to contribute.
One wonders if Alexandar's attitude would help.
"This is not a job for me, this is my passion. I'm a teacher at heart, I would love to do this. I would be honored to have a job in the city," Plimack says.
Alexandar will find out soon enough if he'll make the cut and if he'll be able to inspire the minds of Baltimore's youth.
The teacher's fair was held at Excel Academy and sought teachers in Mathematics, Special Education, Health & PE, Librarians, English, Chinese, Spanish, Elementary Ed., Fine Arts and Spanish.
The first day of school in the city is August 31st.
