The Alabama State Department of Education has launched its “Teachers are the Real Influencers” campaign. This is the agency’s newest wave of teacher recruitment efforts geared toward high school and college students.

The campaign includes social media, YouTube ad spots, pre-roll, display advertising and more. The department said the drive will highlight the “fun, engaging and entertaining aspects” of a teacher’s work in a language and medium that speaks to a young audience.

“Like many states across the country, Alabama continues to face a teacher shortage and needs continued focus on recruiting new talent to the education field,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey. “To capture the attention of passionate members of the next generation and beyond — frequently referred to as Gen Z — we want to remind them how important teachers are to our future, both as a state and as individuals.”

A recent study found that one in four members of Generation Z aspire to be social media influencers with large audiences at some point in their lives.

The agency said its campaign aims to speak to these aspirations while illustrating that young Alabamians can have substantial influence another way — through pursuing a teaching career.

“Teachers are the real influencers,” Mackey said. “By spotlighting current Alabama teachers and their impact, we hope more young people will answer the call to join a field that, without question, changes lives.”