FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- Pink slips are flying in local schools, and first-year teachers are at the front of the line.

Fifty three teachers have been laid off in Edmonds, 30 in Everett and 23 in Federal Way. With the budget crunch yanking jobs away from new teachers, there is no room left for soon-to-be teachers.

Student teacher John Greb has just a few weeks to go until he earns his teacher's certification -- a ticket into the classroom in past years.

But this year, the downturn in the economy has led to layoffs of first- and second-year teachers, leaving student teachers with little hope.

"Coming down the home stretch, hearing that I might not have a position waiting for me and I might have a hard time finding a position -- it's pretty discouraging to hear," said Greb.

Peter Larson is in the same jam. The student teacher is in hopes of landing a Spanish-teaching job at a local district. But with almost every district laying off teachers, he may have to go overseas.

"And I've heard that's a possibility," said Larson, "but I would, of course, prefer to stay in this kind of environment, working with these type of students. I would like to teach Spanish, but I'll do whatever I need to do to support my family."

Federal Way Superintendent Tom Murphy encourages student teachers to hang tight.

"This is a what we hope is a cyclical event that that will soon right itself. I would encourage them to remember the passion for kids that brought them into the profession in the first place," he said. "And we'll be able to hire them soon."

But the student teachers wonder how long can they afford to wait, especially when starting salaries for teachers are only around $32,000 a year.

"There's always construction, which I did to pay for my undergrad, but I would like to be patient and continue working to stay in my profession," said Larson.

"I know this is what I love," said Greb. "This is what I love doing, and it's worth waiting for."

Area school districts have until May 15 to notify teachers of layoffs.