Is the education job market good right now? Is there a high demand for teachers?
JE: There’s a fairly dramatic shortage of teachers, but not in all areas. For example, there’s not currently a broad shortage of elementary teachers, although it’s peeking over the horizon because of impending baby boomer retirements. We have a dire need for teachers, especially those of color, who can be role models in schools with increasingly diverse populations. Right now where the education job market is especially soft is at the high school and middle school levels. That’s where there are huge demands for teachers, particularly in the fields of science and math. Shortages are also looming in other areas, including foreign languages and even English. BN: Are we experiencing these shortages because of competition from the private sector, with its well-paying jobs? JE: Certainly in the fields of math and science you could make that case. I’m not sure that’s true with English and foreign languages, although the growing international scene provides a reason why we might be short of fo
