Job Discussion Forums

[brento1138]

I'm thinking of heading back to Canada to do my teacher's certification. I'm aiming to be a History / English high school teacher. I'd have to go to SFU, to do a double minor (History & English). That would take 2 years. Then one year for the actual teacher training.

Now, I'd really want to live in either Vancouver or the Okanagan. But I wanted to ask if any of you have heard much about the job market or have links to stats. I looked around on Canadian gov. sites, but couldn't find any good data.

I want to know I am making the right decision here. I do love teaching, and really wish I had majored in a teachable subject before. Unfortunately I majored in Communications. Although I loved that 4 years of university, the theory, etc, having a career in Marketing or PR just aint for me. I'm a teacher, simple as that, and the two areas I love are English & History. If I could go back in time, yes I would have gotten a major in History or English and then a teacher's cert. Just dunno if going $45,000 into debt in my early thirties is the best choice... especially with the lack of teaching jobs in the lower mainland. I'm 28 now, but will be like 33ish once I'm done all this.

And has anyone done their education at SFU? UBC? Uvic? What was it like? Did you have a hard time getting a job in Vancouver or the BC area? What have you heard about the future of the job market? Seems hard to know, since there will be so many retiring teachers yet so few children being born to actually go into school.

It is definitely causing me to stress, all of these questions. I'm especially interested in responses from Canadians who are certified to teach back home. Worth it? Or should I think twice about entering a very competitive job market? What do ya say people? Should I just get it done?

[spiral78]

I do love teaching, and really wish I had majored in a teachable subject before. Unfortunately I majored in Communications. Although I loved that 4 years of university, the theory, etc,

I can't answer your real questions, but I've a friend who is a DOS at a university in Alberta. We recently had a long meeting about the ESL field in general, and apparently there is some movement away from 'pure' ESL teachers towards teachers with a Communications background. This relates to the idea of ESL teachers becoming more integrated into university faculties and extending their work into more content-related regions.

I've no idea how widespread this 'trend' may be - perhaps it's limited to my friend, though I don't think so. The discussion came up as we were discussing our Phd directions - we are each planning to begin one. I've been kicking around the idea of adding a Comm-related element to my CV.

Anyway, your Comm background may be of more use to you than you think, especially if you add some teaching quals on top of it.

Good luck!

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Are you sure you don't need at least a major in your first teachable in order to qualify? A lot of people who become teachers at the intermediate/ senior level in Ontario have a specialization in their first teachable (that means a four year degree in it) and then a major or minor in the second, though the actual requirement in Ontario is a major in the first and almost a minor (3 full credits) in the second. But then most of the people who apply for B.Ed programs in Ontario get turned down and so constantly upgrade their qualifications to reapply the following year.

A lot of English majors apply to teacher's college, so do a significant number of history majors. It makes competition for the limited number of teacher trainee spots for those particular teachables very tough. I know this because at one time I thought about doing it, and my teachables would have been English and History (I majored in English [acutally double majored in English and music history] and took extra courses in History for the teachable).

If you are absolutely sure that teaching English and History in the k-12 sector is what you want to do, then of course you should do it. Most people have three careers these days.

[ksam]

I'm not sure about BC, but in Ontario what you could do is apply for the Primary/Junior division (K-6) without teachables and add English or History afterwards as additional qualifications. The upside to this is that you wouldn't have to go back to school for the English/History minors, saving you a lot of time (and money!) and allowing you to go straight into the B.Ed. The downside is that your practicum element would be in the K-6 range and if you don't like working with younger children... your practicum might not go too well

Anyway, just some food for thought. This is the route I'm taking because I have an "unteachable" Bachelors degree as well.

All the best.

[tttompatz]

Try contacting the Education Adviser at Vancouver Island University (from the faculty of education not the general BA adviser).

I found them to be very helpful in answering those types of questions for people wishing to add a B.Ed to a current BA and then getting a recommendation to the BC Teachers College (which is the governing body for teachers in BC).

You can actually gain a B.Ed (in addition to your BA) in 3 semesters if you already have a BA from a Canadian Uni and meet certain pre-reqs in regards to course content. Without the necessary lower level pre-reqs you may need 4 semesters to complete it.

.

[santi84]

I am in BC right now (Surrey)

[Jetgirly]

Deleted.

[carolt]

My advice to you is to go back to university and do an English degree; history minor. If you are a teacher, you will find work. It may be in the private ESL schools in Vancouver, it may be in another country, where you'll build experience and have adventures, and it may be for a school district in some area of Canada you hadn't counted on.
Or you may end up getting work in Vancouver. I live here, and I work for Burnaby school district. The job situation is difficult. It was difficult 40 years ago, when my Dad was a teacher, looking for work. Go for what you love. You'll find a way to make it happen, with time.

[fladude]

Canada is a big place. I'm sure there are places that will hire you in the bush. You can return to civilization after 4 or 5 years.

[santi84]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I heard that most, if not all, Canadians are certifiable...have I been led astray?

NCTBA

[fladude]

[quote="santi84"]