People enter the teaching profession for several reasons including:
- A strong social responsibility to provide the opportunities that education presents;
- To continue deepening interests in a particular subject area and;
- To watch and contribute to children and young people developing and growing intellectually.
In Ontario, Canada’s largest province, the job market has traditionally afforded a variety of teaching positions and career options that allow graduating teachers a chance to start a long and rewarding career. However, students considering teacher education these days should first consider the state of the job market in both the public and private school systems.
Teachers in Ontario Face Tough Job Market
In April 2010, Ontario's universities began cutting up to 1,000 spots in teacher-training programs. This move happened in response to the fact that for every two new teachers certified each year, there remains only one job in the province, pushing many to find part-time work, move overseas or leave the profession completely.
However, for students who still want to enter the teaching profession despite the overall downturn in the job market, the best option is to specialize in subjects where teachers are difficult to find. These subjects include, for example, music and French language instruction.
In addition, new teacher graduates can often pick up supply teaching work and short-term teaching assignments. Perhaps most importantly, in a challenging job market, newly graduating teachers should commit to being mobile and moving for a first teaching job.
Also, students should consider that because of upcoming teacher retirements, it is expected that the teaching job market in Ontario will begin improving in 2014 and 2015.
Becoming a Teacher in Ontario Takes Homework
The job market considerations are important because becoming a certified teacher in Ontario should not be taken lightly. The academic work involved is significant and intense. To teach in publicly funded schools in Ontario, the Ontario College of Teachers requires that certification teachers must have completed:
- A minimum three-year postsecondary degree from an acceptable postsecondary institution;
- A one-year acceptable teacher education program and;
- Application to the College for certification and pay the annual membership and registration fees. The application process includes providing proof of identity and a Canadian Criminal Record Check Report.
Other teaching degree programs in Ontario, such as teachers of technological studies, do not require a postsecondary degree for certification.
Earning a teaching degree in Ontario to become a certified teacher allows people the chance to answer a burning call and passion to become an educator. However, given the downturn in the job market for teachers in Ontario, those considering the profession in that province should do some homework and be prepared to make some career adjustments.
Shelley Aylesworth-Spink - Shelley Aylesworth-Spink has worked in support of communications, marketing and advertising for nearly 25 years in the private and public ...
