As a new teacher, we come out of teacher's college rearing to get out there, applying all the skills we learned in teachers college, and have an impact on the lives of students that we mentor and teach on a daily basis. So, we spruce up our resume, cross our fingers, and hope for some interviews, or even one. When we don't get the call, it's easy for a new teacher to get discouraged. We ask ourselves, shouldn't there be teachers retiring? What will it take for teaching jobs for a new teacher to open up?

Surely many new teachers want to get a job close to home, or we pick out a great city that we want to live in, and apply there; but the problem is that many new teachers still aren't landing these positions. It is even really hard to get on a supply list, never mind a long term occasional position.

One thing a new teacher must realize is that there is both a shortage and a surplus for teachers. How is this possible? At the moment, it is incredibly difficult to get a teaching position in an elementary school. Most positions are filled internally (within the school board). What this means is that sometimes new teachers or teachers with less seniority are considered 'surplus' and if possible are re-placed within the school board. Other times positions are only offered to a new teacher who has done several contracts with the board. Job postings only get offered to 'the rest of us' once all other options have been explored; thus, it will be really difficult for a new teacher to stumble on a full-time contract.

After applying to so many schools, with limited options, it is easy for a new teacher to get discouraged sow try to get on the supply list, and soon find out that if we do somehow make it on that list, most of the calls go to retired teachers, and ones who know people at the schools already.

It isn't all doom and gloom for a new teacher though, you just have to be open to your options, and look outside the box. Here are some things that you can do while you're you're waiting for a teaching job:

1) Get additional qualifications. Some of the common subjects might be full; but there are shortages of teachers in subjects like French, Math, and Special Education etc.

2) Apply to schools in more rural areas. Once you get in the door and get some experience under your belt, you'll have a much more attractive resume for future employers.

3) Apply to teach overseas, there are so many opportunities to see the world and get teaching experience at the same time, take advantage of it.

4) Use your teaching skills to make money in other ways. With the accessibility of the Internet, and our skills as teachers, communicators and mentors, there is absolutely no reason why we need to teach in a conventional classroom.

If you're open to learning new skills, and applying the ones you already have, and can be open to new ideas, you will find work. Do not forget to click on the link in the resource box below, where I offer a report to teachers that outlines my experiences and the 7 fatal mistakes you can make as a new teacher.

Tania is a High-School Teacher who Helps Other Teachers Make what they're Worth so they Can Teach because they Love it and Not because they Have to. "Want to Learn How You Can Leverage your Teaching Skills with the Power of the Internet to Meet and Exceed Your Teaching Income?" Free Report Explains All: http://www.OnlineMLMTeacher.com/report.html