NEW ORLEANS — The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District got the word out about the benefits of working in its schools during the Nov. 27 Bayou Classic Career and College Fair in New Orleans.

Superintendent Kevin George and School Board President Keith Jones represented the district at the event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel that coincides with the annual football game between Grambling State University and Southern University.

Representatives from business, hospitality management, public safety and the U.S. armed forces were among those participating.

“It was a great networking event. It was not just Grambling and Southern but students from all over,” Jones said.

“We were able to tell them how we are the seventh-highest paid district in the state, about our great benefits package and about our convenient location between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.”

Although recruiting teachers was the main reason for participating, the two were able to reach out to students from all backgrounds.

“We were able to speak with engineering majors, biology majors, law majors and advise them of the opportunities in education and our partnership with the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators that allows them to become certified,” George said. “We opened a lot of eyes.”

Jones credited George with bringing the district to the event for the first time this year. Both said they plan to make it an annual event.