After graduating this year, students searching for teaching positions may face obstacles finding jobs.

“Thirty-seven of the 50 states are in an education budget crisis at the state level, affecting local school districts,” said Kevin Koester, community education director for Ankeny schools.

Urbandale schools have cut more than 25 teaching positions, effective at the end of the school year, said Len Cockman, director of human resources and public information for Urbandale schools.

School administrators are evaluating potential changes to adjust to the budget cuts.

“One of our budget considerations for next year is to sufficiently fund a decent raise for staff and meet the ever-increasing cost of health and dental insurance,” Cockman said. “We cannot afford to reward the staff that is still here and be competitive if we have to hire.”

Urbandale is not the only district facing these challenges.

“Most of the school districts are in the waiting game right now until the state legislature makes their final decisions regarding budgets,” said Toni Humpfer, program assistant for education student services.

Allison Kerr, 2001 graduate in early childhood education, with an emphasis on special education, has experienced difficulty finding a job.

“[The education budget cuts] definitely affect me because there are not as many positions open,” Kerr said. “It’s hard enough getting a teaching job in Iowa, let alone with all the budget cuts. It’s very frustrating. It makes me want to pursue a different career.”

Due to the economic downturn, finding teaching positions may be difficult.

“It’s very apparent that there won’t be as many teaching positions available for the next year or so,” said Bob Hartzler, assistant superintendent for Ankeny schools. “However, [the economy] will get better, and when it does, there will probably be some shortages [in teachers].”

Hartzler said there still are teaching jobs available.

“If students are willing to leave Iowa and travel to other states, such as the Sun Belt states – Texas, California, Arizona and Florida – they will be able to find a job,” Hartzler said.

There are also shortages in all states at the secondary education level in the areas of math, science, music, special education and family and consumer sciences, Humpfer said.

Students in those majors are currently in high demand.

“Teaching is not an easy job and the salaries are not as high as other professions,” said Roger Smith, professor of industrial education and technology. “They’re there for the right reasons. They are hard working and dedicated to kids and trying to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Smith said foreign language, technical education, counseling and administration are other areas with shortages.

Recent alumni who want to stand out to employers will face increasing challenges, as some schools have laid off teachers, and experienced teachers will be competition for new graduates, Smith said.

“However, in these economic times when schools are trying to save funds, they may look at hiring new, lower-salaried graduates to help solve their economic problems,” he said.

Those who prefer to stay in the state may have to wait to find out the status of jobs they have applied for.

“If they want a job in Iowa, they’re going to have to be patient. Iowa schools are probably going to be hiring late this spring, in May or June, because they may not know what their budgets are going to be,” Hartzler said.