A sea of navy, black and gray business suits flooded the Gwinnett Center on Monday as hundreds of job-seekers hoped to find teaching positions with Gwinnett County Public Schools.

The state's largest school system expects to hire about 1,700 teachers by August to replace retirees and work with the district's fast-growing enrollment, said Frances Davis, associate superintendent for human resources.

Vino Wong/AJC (ENLARGE)

Gwinnett's public school system holds job fair at the Gwinnett Center Monday.

TEACHING IN GWINNETT Beginning teachers in Gwinnett earn more than $38,000 a year. On average, a Gwinnett teacher with an advanced degree and 10 years experience earns more than $53,000 a year. The school district expects to hire about 1,700 new teachers by August. For more information about teaching positions with Gwinnett go to: www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us. RELATED: Photos Gwinnett news Georgia and metro news

More than 1,600 people signed up in advance for interviews with principals at the district's annual teacher job fair. Davis said about 500 walk-ins showed up in the morning, and she expected about another 700 people in the afternoon.

"I've never seen this many people before," Davis said. "We've never had a pool this large or this talented. This is a good problem to have."

Historically, the district eventually hires many of the teachers interviewed at the fair. Over the next few months, school system recruiters will visit more than 20 states searching for teachers, according to the human resources department. Much of the recruiting will take place at college job fairs.

The applicant pool Monday contained a mix of seasoned teachers, soon-to-be college graduates and those who decided to switch careers to work with students.

Krista Batten, 21, flew in from Wisconsin to interview. The senior at the University of Wisconsin will graduate in May and had heard about the job opportunities in Gwinnett.

"There's such a job shortage in education in Wisconsin that you sometimes need to work as a sub for five years before someone will hire you," Batten said. "I like the idea of moving somewhere fresh and, let's face it, the weather is much better in Atlanta."

For others, a job in Gwinnett would be a chance to come back home.

Robyn Ancil, 25, graduated from North Gwinnett High and hopes to find a job with the district when she graduates in May from Gainesville State College. She interviewed with representatives from Jackson Elementary, Mason Elementary and other schools.

"I would really like to teach third grade, but the truth is I'll take anything that lets me work with kids," Ancil said. "I just really want to make a difference, and I'd like to do that back here."

Odds are good many applicants will find a job with Gwinnett schools. The district ranks as one of the state's top employers with about 11,000 teachers and more than 23,000 total employees.