Most people would agree that being a teacher is one of the most in-demand jobs, wherever you go. As long as children are being brought into the world, the demand for teachers would never end.
Teaching is always considered a rewarding and honorable profession, whether you’re teaching elementary school kids or college students in the university.
Many people are interested in teaching as a profession. Some are interested because they love teaching people. Others are interested because teaching pays well in Canada.
In this piece, we will talk about becoming a teacher in Ontario, one of the most promising provinces for teachers in Canada.
Requirements to be a Teacher in Ontario
There are different requirements to be a teacher, depending on the ages of the students you want to teach. You must finish at least three years of full-time study at a university or College leading to a post-secondary degree to teach at the primary and secondary levels in Ontario (a BSc, for example). Four semesters of post-secondary study leading to a Bachelor of Education degree or equivalents are also required.
The teacher education program in Ontario changed on September 1, 2015. The four-semester curriculum, which includes an 80-day practicum, emphasizes special education, technology-assisted teaching, and diversity. New certification standards for teacher education programs went into effect on September 1, 2015, due to these changes.
Teachers in technological education do not need a post-secondary degree. Still, they must have five years of working experience in technical education, not as a teacher or a mix of work and post-secondary studies. On the other hand, a college degree is not required for teachers of aboriginal descent or aboriginal languages.
For Teachers of General Education
To qualify to teach General Education, you must meet the educational, professional, linguistic competence, Ontario Mathematics Proficiency Test, and professional suitability standards of the College.
Further than the Ontario secondary school diploma (Grade 12) or its equivalent, your degree (for example, a BA or BSc) must encompass the equal of at least three years of full-time study or 90 credits or the similar (in addition to the four-semester teacher education program). Your diploma must also be from a college or university that is accredited.
You’ll be able to meet these criteria if you’ve been licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction.
For Teachers of Native Languages
You must be able to speak one of the following languages: Anishinaabek, Mushkegowuk, Onkwehonwe, or Lenape.
Suppose you finished your indigenous languages teacher education program in Ontario or another Canadian province. The program is accepted to the College. In that case, you meet the College’s requirements.
However, suppose you finished your native language teacher education program from outside Canada. In that case, you must demonstrate fluency in one of the languages listed above.
You must complete a teacher education program that focuses on preparing teachers to teach languages from the Anishinaabek, Mushkegowuk, Onkwehonwe, and Lenape language families. It must be finished at an Ontario faculty of education and approved by the College or an equivalent program approved by the College.
At least four semesters of post-secondary education are required for an accepted teacher education program. Please keep in mind that an academic year in Canadian post-secondary education is generally divided into two semesters.
For Indigenous Teachers
Suppose you do not even have a post-secondary diploma. In that case, you must have a secondary school diploma or equivalent qualifications as determined by the College.
You’ll require a teacher education program that focuses on preparing Indigenous heritage instructors to teach in the Primary and Junior levels. It must be accomplished at an Ontario college or school of education. It must also be recognized by the College, or it must be an equal program that the College accepts.
In addition, you must remember that at least four semesters of post-secondary study are required for an accepted teacher education program.
The Ontario College of Teachers
By law, the Ontario College of Teachers was founded to serve and defend the public interest by certifying, governing, and enforcing the teaching profession’s standards of practice. This was established by legislation and served as one of the leading education agencies in Ontario.
The College is tasked to perform several duties and responsibilities. That includes licensing teachers, establishing professional standards and conduct for teachers, providing ongoing education for teachers, investigating and hearing accusations against teachers, and certifying teacher education programs.
Teachers at the province’s publicly funded schools must be members in good standing with the institution. In addition, many private schools demand that their teachers be college graduates.
