I have recently received an e-mail from a reader wishing to know what it take to become a teacher. I would love to answer this, but I must make something clear first. I teach in Ontario, Canada. Other parts of the world will have different standards and requirements. When I describe the path a potential teacher must follow, it is based out of Ontario. However, I am sure that in the rest of Canada and the USA, there are more similarities than differences. The teacher’s certificate of Ontario is accepted in schools throughout the world.
After highschool, a teacher must complete a university program. Elementary teachers need a variety of subjects, ranging from a math, to an art, to a social studies. Secondary teachers need about 5 courses per teachable subject, and they need two teachable subjects. Teachable subjects can be art, biology, English, etc, basically anything you learn in highschool. After completion of the required courses, a student applies to teacher’s college. It is quite competitive, so good marks and experience are required to get in. Applications have fallen slightly in Ontario, however, due to the professional conflicts teachers are facing with the government.
There is a new way to become a teacher as well. It is called concurrent education. It lasts 3-5 years, depending on what level you wish to teach and whether you want a bachelor’s or an honors degree. You train to be a teacher at the same time as you work towards the bachelor’s degree. You take placements in the classroom from the first year.
The concurrent education program has a number of benefits. My daughter applied to it this year. She likes the idea of being sure of being a teacher when she finishes university. She doesn’t like the uncertainty and the stress that prospective teachers in university feel; they have to keep excellent marks and status and hope they get into teacher’s college. Otherwise, they have a degree but not a teacher’s certificate and they cannot teach more than 20 days a year. As well, it takes away the competitiveness of university, creating a more friendly atmosphere. It allows the students to teach and to gain unique summer job opportunities.
After a year of teacher’s college, a person is qualified to teach. Usually schools go and recruit at teacher’s colleges. These schools can be from anywhere in the world. The more years a teacher spends with a certain school board, the less chance they have of being laid off. As well, the salary rises with seniority. When a teacher wants to become a principal, they need teaching
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