As a recent Elementary Education graduate of the University of Central Florida, I can tell you that it was one of the happiest days of my life. I can also tell you that there is a definite surplus of teachers in most areas due to budget cutbacks.

I chose to do my junior and senior year internships in very different schools in both Orange and Seminole county, respectively, to get a broad perspective on student diversity. I prepared myself above and beyond to fill the role I was born to do: teach. I graduated with ESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) certification and reading endorsements, joined the Florida Reading Association and regularly participated in optional training courses and lectures. I read all the books, spent all the time in the classroom I possibly could, tutored before and after school hours and always tried my very best to maintain communication between a student’s family and the classroom.

So, after all the budget cuts and before any surplus money is distributed, where do I find myself? Unemployed. In fact, I had to move back home to Ft. Lauderdale because I simply couldn’t make ends meet after graduation. Every day I have put in an application or resume to a school that looks promising but, I always receive the same feedback: “Sorry, we are only accepting applications from contracted teachers. Good luck in your search.” And that’s what a majority of my days since graduation have become: a search. The search for my own Holy Grail, if you will: a teaching job for a new graduate. A few of us have found our way into employment, some know an aunt who is a principal or maybe mom knows someone in the school board. But what about the ones who just need a chance to prove themselves?

If someone asked me what grades I teach, my answer would be: “I teach children.” I crave the opportunity and love having both the challenge and ability to change lives and make a difference in our youth. I want to show my students respect and maintain a classroom that promotes tolerance and diversity. But, I can’t. At least, not yet, thanks to budget constraints.

It was recently reported that in my temporary home of Broward county 396 teachers have been laid off due to budget cuts. Many of those were first year teachers, the ones who I’ve always heard have the drive to prove themselves and the ambition to change the world. On top of the decline in available teaching jobs, it seems as though our student population is fleeing the area due to the job loss of parents. Other states are facing the same crisis too, as evident from my job hunt. The most difficult part has been quieting the media, staff and teachers saying that the problem can only continue to worsen before it gets better.

I would never take back my experience being in the classroom. It was when I felt most alive. Today, I do, however, feel somewhat trapped by my choice of pursuing an education degree. I can’t help but feel like every route I’ve taken towards seeking employment since graduation has come to a dead end.

I’ll always be looking for my chance to make a difference, but in the meantime I’ll be forced to look for work out of my specialty. Where does an elementary education degree put me in line with a business degree? Exactly. Those of us with new education degrees out there are just going to have to wait it out as little fish in the big sea. Sure, there may be bigger, more specialized fish out there with us, but we are durable. We will make it through this.

In the meantime, I’m off to apply to more jobs and try to figure out what’s next for a new graduate in between a rock and a hard place. It’s a shame that the students of today won’t have the privilege of learning from the teachers of tomorrow.

Article by Melissa Wondrely