Photos by Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Prospective teachers sign in at the recruitment fair at the Salem Civic Center on Friday. Representatives from about 20 school districts attended the fair, although many said they were expecting to have fewer openings than in recent years.

Floyd County Superintendent Terry Arbogast (center) and Willis Elementary School Principal Sandra Montgomery (second from left) speak with prospective teachers Friday.

Martha Carter (center) speaks with Clifton Middle School Assistant Principal Sherman Callahan during the teacher recruitment fair on Friday. Organizers expected turnout for the fair, which continues today, to be slightly higher than the 400 to 500 that have attended in past years.

The economy may be in a tailspin, school districts may be slashing budgets, but eager aspiring teachers are still pulling their dry-cleaned suits out of the closet, strapping on toothy smiles and printing extra copies of their resumes.

Hundreds of newly minted teachers gathered at the Salem Civic Center on Friday evening for an annual teacher recruitment fair, which drew representatives from roughly 20 districts from around the region. Hundreds more are expected today.

Applicants teetered between youthful optimism and the harsh realization that the job market has become much tougher than it was a few years ago.

"There's always a need for teachers, but you hear about budget cuts -- it does scare you a little bit," said Brent Loope, who grew up in Botetourt County and said he would "certainly enjoy" teaching middle school social studies in Botetourt schools, despite their planned budget cuts of $2.2 million, so far.

About 400 or 500 applicants usually come to the job fair, which has been held since 2002, according to the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium, the organizer of the fair. This year, organizers expect turnout to be slightly higher, with experienced teachers who may be at risk of being laid off scoping out new jobs.

"There's no doubt we're going to be hiring fewer people this year," said Phillip Poff, human resources director for Franklin County Schools ($4 million in projected cuts).

In the past, the county hired between 50 and 70 teachers a year. No more. Those who want to teach pre-kindergarten through sixth grade may be in the most trouble.

"There are a lot of pre-K through six applicants and very few openings," Poff said.

In Salem ($2 million in cuts possible), there likely won't be more than a single elementary school opening, said Superintendent Alan Seibert, who was performing crowd control at Salem's table, where applicants were lined up six-deep. Some of Salem's applicants encroached into Alleghany County's booth, blocking foot traffic.

"It's a great talent pool," Seibert said, sounding encouraging for the benefit of the young teachers around him.

Roanoke schools ($15 million in cuts possible) were also drawing a steady stream of applicants, one day after the city school system announced it was considering closing five schools and cutting 100 staff positions. Even in these parlous times, schools still need math, science and special education teachers, particularly at the high school level, human resources Director Sandra Burks said. The city's drastic budget proposals were on many minds at the job fair. Poff called them "sobering."

Emily Connelly, an aspiring elementary school teacher who is wrapping up a master's degree at Hollins University, said she intended to apply to the city schools despite Thursday's news.

"It's the same at any school district," she said, and shrugged.

Tom Hall, deputy superintendent of personnel for Roanoke County schools ($9.9 million in cuts possible), said he, too, would be hiring fewer teachers. But he wanted it known that he was looking for two new Latin teachers.

"We used to have 50 to 75 [new hires] every year for the last 10 years, and I don't anticipate more than 10," he said.

Elizabeth Wiley, a veteran teacher, said she almost didn't come to the fair. She taught for 16 years in York County and now teaches part time on a federal grant.

"I think there will be some openings," she said.

And what does she want to teach?

"Anything."

Christina Powell, who will graduate in May from Radford University, smiled when asked about her job prospects and gave the best answer possible: "I keep my hopes up."