Prospective Teachers Face Uncertain Future

Education majors are worried about job security

The future of education in North Texas doesn't look too bright with major budget cuts looming.

For decades, teaching was called the "recession-proof" place to find a job, but that's no longer the case.

One student studying Early Childhood Education at the University of North Texas, Roberto Arriola, said he is concerned about what to expect when he graduates in less than a year.

"The buzz out there is just a big huge question mark. We don't know what's going to happen," Arriola said.

He chose this career path for two reasons.

"I do it for the kids becuase someone taught me, and I feel I should give that back to them," he said.

He listed job security as the other reason he wants to teach.

"Regardless of where you go -- El Paso, Austin, Dallas -- there are always kids. There is always education needed," Arriola said.

However, the future of future teachers is less certain than ever.  

The state faces a budget shortfall of at least $15-billion and school districts are bracing for cuts across the board.

Students aren't just worried about finding a job in May, but they may find themselves competing against teachers with much more experience.

"We have confidence in our students, but at the same time, we have to be realistic -- making sure they are marketable and making sure we prepare them to be in larger size classes -- you hear about that in Dallas ISD," Colleen Eddy, a UNT education professor, said.

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