You can’t turn anywhere today without seeing, hearing about or feeling the effects of the weak economy. This stands true for almost every line of work. Although everyone is struggling, there is one group feeling a little extra burn these days. They are the future of our children, our educators. The weakened economy is causing schools to have to cut faculty and staff back to a minimum.

The cuts aren’t just affecting current teachers, but also students who are about to graduate and head into the working world. Georgia Bennett is one of these students. Bennett, a senior from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in her final semester as an elementary education major. For the past three and a half years Bennett has been preparing for life after graduation.

Bennett wants to teach in the Atlanta area but was hit with a harsh reality in February. “We were pretty much told not to even try to find anything in Atlanta. Everywhere is under a hiring freeze because of a lack of money,” she said.

The effects are being felt in school districts across the country but even more so here in Alabama. With schools relying heavily on sales and income tax revenue for funding, the weakened economy has caused extreme shortages. In October of 2008 if was reported that the state school fund was down nearly 13% from the previous year.

These shortages are causing districts across the state to cut programs and teachers. Wilcox County, in the heart of the Black Belt, has seen a drastic change over the past few years. They have had to cut over half of the support personnel for their district.

Even new schools aren’t a sure bet for recent graduates. Most of the teachers receiving pink slips at one school are being relocated to teach at schools opening their doors for the first time this August.

So what are students like Bennett doing as hopes of finding an actual job are fading fast? Many are applying for graduate programs and others are looking just to get their foot in the door at schools.

Maria Powell, another elementary education major, is planning on moving to Tuscaloosa after graduation. “If I’m not able to find a teaching job in Tuscaloosa, I’ll be substituting to at least get my name out there and in the school system,” said Powell.

Once the economy picks back up, Bennett and Powell shouldn’t have a problem finding a job. They have both been thoroughly prepared through Auburn’s elementary education curriculum. Both girls are current interns at Beulah Elementary School. They will be graduating in just six short weeks.

But Bennett hasn't lost hope yet. “We are all hopeful that jobs will turn up. We’re definitely going to keep looking."


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