Job Market 2010: Teaching Positions Scarce Yet Sought After

The 'recession-proof' market for teachers has dwindled drastically, the New York Times reports.

The relatively scant number of openings for teachers are bombarded with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applications and many hopeful teachers -- even those with advanced degrees -- remain jobless.

The Times has more:

Juliana Pankow, who just graduated from Teachers College at Columbia University, has sent out 40 resumes since January. A few Saturdays ago, she went to a school in Harlem because she heard the principal would be there (she was invited back to teach a demonstration lesson, but it may be for naught since the city has a hiring freeze). Now, Ms. Pankow said she might have to move back in with her parents in Scarsdale, N.Y., and perhaps take up SAT tutoring.

"I can't think of anything else I'd rather do," said Ms. Pankow, 23, as she waited outside the principal's office at Pelham Memorial last week, among 619 people applying for one English position. "Which is a problem, because I might have to do something else."

Success Charter Network Founder and CEO Eva Moskowitz called the situation "heartbreaking."

Applications to charter schools have risen considerably, as have those to Teach for America. This year, 46,000 applied for 4,500 spots.

Officials are pushing young teachers to look in other states for work. But some, like former teacher Jade Stier, are changing careers. Stier recently enrolled in a nursing program.

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