TAMPA, Fla. - A new study shows states could lose teaching positions as a recession looms and the pandemic continues.

According to the Learning Policy Institute, more than 300,000 jobs could be lost nationwide. However, the Institute said Florida is expected to fare better than many other states and locally, school districts in the Tampa Bay Area are hiring.

Kayla Ford graduates from Bethune Cookman University on Saturday and she already has a job.

She's been hired to teach at Madison Middle School in Tampa and starts in July.

"I had interviews set up within a day after putting in my application," Ford said.

School districts are holding job fairs virtually and doing interviews online.

Pinellas County Schools Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Paula Texel said the effort is paying off.

"We're looking at about 100 vacancies right now to fill which is on par with years past so we feel that we are in a great position moving forward," Texel said.

School districts said they are unsure if uncertainty about the pandemic will cause more teachers to leave at the end of the school year but the thinking is it might make more want to hold on to their jobs.

Even with the current focus on distance learning, Hillsborough County School officials said the bottom line is they want good teachers who can function both in and out of the traditional classroom.

"Especially now we really need teachers who can really assist the kids who are adapting to and adjusting to their new way of school. It's totally different for them," said Dr. Althea Walker, Recruitment Manager with Hillsborough County Schools.

Ford said she can't wait to get to work.

"I'm waiting for the stores to open so I can go shopping for my classroom" she said. "I can't wait to learn how to do lesson plans. I'm just eager to learn what I don't know and I'm eager to teach what I do know so I'm super excited."