MARQUETTE -- After spending two years in banking, Heather Leisner discovered that her true passion is teaching.  She returned to Northern Michigan University to become certified in mathematical education, and since her graduation this winter, she's been eager to start her new career.  There's just one problem:  she can't find a job.

"It's really hard with the state of the economy," said Leisner, "especially here because I don't have any money.  I just finished school and I took out a lot of money in loans.  I spent all this time and money and this is what I love to do and it's what I intend to do."

For now, she's paying her bills by subbing at Father Marquette Middle School.  And Heather is not alone.  It's slim pickings for all prospective teachers hunting for jobs in the U.P., like Natalie Bertucci, who subs at Marquette Senior High School.

"With the U.P. being so small, it's difficult to find any jobs up here right now," said Bertucci.

But there is some hope.  With a new state retirement incentive offering eligible teachers bigger pensions, some U.P. schools expect to have many older teachers retire, opening some positions.

"To me, right now, it's a huge opportunity," Leisner said.  "I could stay here and do what I love here and be by my family and stay in Michigan."

But regardless of new legislation, jobs are beginning to open up for new teaching graduates, as long as they're willing to move out of state.

"I've applied in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Colorado, a little bit of everywhere," Bertucci said.

Both teaching hopefuls, incidentally, say they don't fully endorse early retirement.  They'd like to be able to work with and learn from veteran teachers.