During this great recession, jobs are being cut at a depressingly high rate. However, the education industry seems to be all smiles. Why? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education is one of only two industries to see job growth during this economic downturn. In fact, every other industry claimed job losses in 2009. This latest statistic bodes well for aspiring teachers who are unsure of their future financial stability.

Pencils out, it’s time to take notes. Private education added 33,000 jobs in January 2009. The unemployment rate in education dropped from 5.3 in December 2008 to 4.1 in February 2009. The national unemployment rate, which is at 8.1% and rising, is nearly double the declining 4.1% Educational unemployment rate. There were 10,000 more job openings in education this January than there were last January, and over 40,000 new hires in education from December 2008 to January 2009. These figures indicate a staggering phenomenon – as the economy decays, education employment and opportunity seem to be sharply rising. However, this is not some glitch in the system.

Enrollment of children in grades K-12 has increased by over 25% in the last 20 years, with an estimated increase of 10% in the next 10 years. An increase in students requires an increase in teachers, making the education industry the place to be right now and into the future. Don’t take it just from me, President Obama has devoted $53 billion in stimulus spending to educational reform, making sure this booming industry has all the funding it needs to flourish. This extra money will also no doubt create more jobs for aspiring teachers to fill.

According to CareerBuilders and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are some booming positions in the educational industry to consider:

1. Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors teach courses to children and adults in literacy, English as a second language, and in preparation for the General Education Development test. 2006 employment: 76,000 Projected 2016 employment: 87,000 Mean annual wage: $47,830.

2. Cafeteria cooks make large quantities of food for school breakfast, lunch and after-school programs. 2006 employment: 401,000 Projected 2016 employment: 445,000 Mean annual wage: $22,340.

3. Coaches instruct groups and individuals about the fundamentals of sports; many coaches also work as teachers in the schools where they coach. 2006 employment: 217,000 Projected 2016 employment: 249,000 Mean annual wage: $34,720.

4. Education administrators (preschool and child-care centers) are in charge of academic and nonacademic activities for young children in preschool and daycare centers and programs. 2006 employment: 56,000 Projected 2016 employment: 69,000 Mean annual wage: $44,430.

5. Post-secondary teachers are usually made up of college and university faculty. They work in different academic departments or fields and usually teach several different classes related to their specialties. 2006 employment: 1,672,000 Projected 2016 employment: 2,054,000 Mean annual wage: $56,120.

6. School counselors work with students and faculty in many capacities. They might counsel students on social, personal or behavioral issues; high school counselors might also advise students on choosing a major or a college’s admission requirements. 2006 employment: 260,000 Projected 2016 employment: 292,000 Mean annual wage: $51,690.

7. Self-enrichment teachers instruct nonacademic courses that you might take in your free time, such as cooking or knitting. Classes might also include self-improvement courses. 2006 employment: 261,000 Projected 2016 employment: 322,000 Mean annual wage: $39,600.

8. Special education teachers teach educationally and physically handicapped students basic academic and life processes skills. 2006 employment: 219,000 Projected 2016 employment: 262,000 Mean annual wage: Salaries vary from$51,230 to $53,020, depending on the level you teach.