Finding a Job as a Teacher
Your opportunities to get a job as a teacher depend on a number of factors:
- Location - large cities have more schools, and certain areas of a city may have more children, so there will be more schools in that specific area.
- Population - The number of families living in an area affect the number of teachers that are required. For example, changes in the birth rate and in immigration patterns can impact how many teachers are required in a community. A "baby boom"(a period of time when a lot of babies are born) will result in a higher number of students of a certain age and thus a requirement for more teachers for that age group.
- Supply of teachers - if a lot of teachers are nearing retirement, there will be more openings for new teachers in the school system.
- Teaching subjects - There may be a greater demand for teachers of specific subjects depending on social factors and government priorities.
Be Prepared to Compete
The labour market for teachers changes from year to year, so it is important to stay up-to-date on labour market information. Currently, the interest in teaching careers remains high. However, the demand for English-language elementary and secondary teachers is in decline. Some specialty areas such as French as a Second Language and technological education offer greater prospects for regular, full-time work. However, you need to be prepared to start your career in occasional (supply) roles. School systems across Canada and around the world also hire certified Ontario teachers. For more information, read the Ontario College of Teachers' Transition to Teaching reports.
Where teachers work
Most certified teachers find work in either the public or Catholic school system. They teach students from ranging in age from four years old in kindergarten up to teenagers 18 years of age in Grade 12. A teacher in a secondary school specializes in one or two subjects such as math or English. Teachers in elementary schools teach all curriculum subjects to the same group of students in their class, including math, English, science, history, and geography. Teachers can also teach in technological secondary schools. Teachers who prefer supervisory roles can move into principal or vice-principal positions by taking appropriate courses, if eligible.
Some teachers use their teaching background in different job-related or career areas. Please see the Related Occupations section for a list of other jobs.
Where to find teaching jobs
Teachers are generally hired by boards of education in different cities and districts. Since no central teacher placement agency currently exists in Ontario, teachers who are looking for work will need to consult different job search resources. If you're looking for a teaching job on the Internet, the three websites listed below are good places to start. Teachers may post their resumes on these websites for free. Various school boards across the province use these sites to help fill vacancies.
Inquiries regarding possible vacancies in Ontario may also be made directly to the school boards. Board websites provide up-to-date job postings, so it is always a good idea to check these. For a list of Ontario's 72 publicly funded school boards, please consult the Ministry of Education website.
Another useful source for job postings is local and national newspapers. Most teaching positions are advertised in newspapers between January and June.
Also, please refer to the Labour Market Information section of this website for further contacts.
To be considered as a supply teacher, you need to be registered with a school board. You will be contacted directly by the board when an opportunity comes up at a school.