Tommy Null's junior used to teach high school science in Mississippi's capital city Jackson.

Now he's trying to convince a new generation to follow in his footsteps.

They have to kind of have that certain grit, that certain fight, like we say, the dog in

them so to speak, where they are tenacious, you know, they fit us.

Null's is head of recruitment for Jackson public schools and it is not an easy job.

On average, the district loses one in five teachers every year.

Mississippi also ranks near the bottom in teacher pay and the pandemic has burned out many

teachers.

But Tommy Null's is an optimist and on a recent sunny, March morning on the campus of Mississippi

State University, he arrives early.

With a suitcase full of pamphlets for a job fair.

Have eight year olds set up this afternoon.

My first one starts at 11.30.

The competition between school systems at the fair is fierce.

We are in a rated district.

There are a lot of high expectations and we are at that a rated school.

We have a beach that most places don't have so.

Lisa, let me talk about the town a little bit.

Vicksburg is very close to me.

Western London's family, so everyone really gets to know each other.

We have instructional coaches at every one of our campuses.

We pay really well.

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