Teacher Jobs in Canada | Everything Newcomers Need to Know

Teacher jobs in Canada are desirable career paths for newcomers moving to the country. And, Canada’s education system is one of the best in the world. A teacher salary in Canada plus benefits make this a good-paying career choice. However, job prospects vary across Canada depending on the province or territory. Therefore, internationally trained teachers need to research where the teacher demand is greatest.  

Where shortages exist, great opportunities are available if you’re an experienced teacher in your home country, have recently qualified as a teacher abroad, or want to pursue a teaching career in Canada. However, teachers with international qualifications must get credential recognition for their out-of-country experience. 

If you plan to work as a teacher in Canada, it’s vital to know the job requirements before you arrive. Many jobs in Canada belong to regulated professions. And teaching is one of those professions.

What’s the best way to prepare for a teaching career in Canada?  Continue reading for a helpful overview.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher

It’s vital to research the labour market for teaching before you immigrate to Canada. Ideally, you want to ensure that you meet the job requirements and whether or not you can teach in Canada with your international qualifications.

Before You Move to Pursue Teaching Jobs in Canada

Here are some steps you can take to prepare to teach in Canada:

• Research the labour market and teacher demand at national, provincial, and local levels.
• Contact the provincial regulatory body for teachers (see links below) where you plan to settle in Canada to learn about the licensing process including.
  • Steps you can take before and after you arrive.
  • Documents you need to bring to Canada and whether you have to have them translated. You may have to use a professional translation service in Canada.
  • Application process and fees.
• Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country.
• Assess your language skills by taking an online self-assessment on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website.
• Enroll in language classes in your home country to improve your skills and continue classes when you arrive.
• Understand the teaching profession in Canada and become familiar with laws and legislation that govern teaching in the province where you will settle.

What to Expect When Pursuing a Career in Teaching in Canada

Knowledge of the short- and long-term employment outlook will help you set realistic expectations about teaching in Canada.

Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Teachers

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada’s reference for occupations. It provides job descriptions, occupational statistics, and labour market information. This is a good place to research what you need to teach in Canada. The NOC codes for teachers are:

Secondary School Teachers (NOC 21220)

Elementary School and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221)

The NOC code provides example titles for teachers you can search for in your job search.

Requirements to Become a Teacher in Canada

Each province has a teaching regulatory body that sets the requirements to practice teaching. You will require a bachelor’s degree in education and a provincial teaching certificate.

For example, if you want to teach in Ontario, the Ontario College of Teachers requires you to:

• Complete a minimum three-year postsecondary degree from an acceptable postsecondary institution
• Complete a four-semester teacher education program  
• Apply to the College for certification and pay the annual membership and registration fees
• Complete the sexual abuse prevention program.

Learn How to Apply to the Ontario College of Teachers

If you intend to specialize in special education or instruction of English or French as a second language, you may require additional training and certification. 

Unlike elementary and secondary teaching, teaching at the university or college level is not regulated. It’s up to the hiring department or institution to recognize your academic credentials obtained outside Canada. University teaching positions are competitive and normally they require that you have at least one graduate degree and a proven teaching record or academic publishing.

Credentials Recognition to Meet Teaching Job Requirements in Canada

The first thing to do is identify what you require to teach in Canada. To do this, contact the regulatory body that governs the teaching profession in the province or territory where you intend to settle in Canada. They will tell you what documents you need to provide, assessment fees, and the process.  Take this step before you arrive in Canada!

It’s also important to understand the licensure process and what the regulatory body expects of you. Once you have all the information, you can begin the application process.

Credentials Assessment Services 

If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you plan to attend to inquire about the steps you should take and the credential assessment agency you should use.

World Education Services (WES) – Ontario

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta

The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia

To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services click here.

Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Teaching Job Requirements

In addition to accreditation, upgrading your skills through a bridging program or other courses and workshops is an important part of your journey to teaching in Canada. You may need more training or skills upgrading. 

Canadian employers expect you to be a good communicator and organized. They want you to know how to train a child, listen strategically, motivate students, praise a student appropriately, and give helpful feedback for others’ work.

Strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, are important for your future in Canada. Whether you focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak where you live.

Bridging Programs for Teaching Careers in Canada

Bridging programs are an effective way to transition from your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer teaching-related bridging programs. You may be eligible for one. Do some research to find a program suitable for you.

The Bridge to Teaching (Bridge) program at the University of Calgary is an intensive teacher education program that prepares experienced foreign-trained teachers to teach in Alberta Schools. During the Bridge Program, participants focus on how to teach the Alberta Program of Studies in ways that engage students and how to assess students’ learning. Participants examine educational policies and pedagogies that affect teaching and learning in Alberta and explore how the expectations for teachers and students compare to those in their previous country.

Teaching Associations in Canada

The following associations provide information about licensure and certification. They also offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.

National Teaching Associations

Canadian Teachers’ Federation

Canadian Education Association

Provincial &Territorial Teaching Regulatory Bodies

PROVINCE/TERRITORY	REGULATORY BODY
Alberta	Alberta Teacher Certification
British Columbia	Ministry of Education Department of Education and Literacy, Teacher Certification Unit
New Brunswick	Department of Education, Teacher Certification
Newfoundland and Labrador	Department of Education, Teacher Certification
Nova Scotia	Department of Education, Registrar of Teacher Certification
Ontario	Ontario College of Teachers (OCT)
Prince Edward Island	Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Registrar’s Office
Quebec	Québec – Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, Direction de la formation et de la titularisation du personnel scolaire
Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board
Yukon	Yukon Education. Teacher Certification

Other Provincial Associations

Here are some additional provincial associations to consult when learning about your options to become a teacher in Canada.

Alberta Teachers’ Association

British Columbia Teachers’ Federation

Manitoba Teachers’ Society

Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association

New Brunswick Teachers’ Association

Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation

Immigrant Networks

Professional immigrant networks (PINs) are member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:

• Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities, and
• Help members find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals.

PINs organize networking events, mentoring, and information sessions. They also provide professional development opportunities such as workshops, training, and connections to job opportunities.

How Much Money Does a Teacher Make in Canada?

A teacher’s salary in Canada depends on factors such as the city and province where you teach, experience, teaching level, and specialization. Many newcomer teachers have a higher salary in Canada compared to their home country. 

Teacher salaries may be higher in Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories because of the challenges in hiring qualified teachers and the higher cost of living in the northern regions.

Teacher Salary in Canada (Primary Teacher)

These are the most recent primary school teacher salaries in Canada (wages/hour as of November 2023).

PROVINCE	LOW ($/hour)	HIGH ($/hour)
Canada	25.00	54.95
Alberta	26.00	52.75
British Columbia	24.62	53.42
Manitoba	25.00	55.36
New Brunswick	24.04	45.46
Newfoundland & Labrador	27.47	59.62
Northwest Territories	35.90	61.06
Nova Scotia	25.00	49.45
Nunavut	20.13	71.24
Ontario	25.00	56.30
Prince Edward Island	22.50	46.67
Quebec	24.73	51.48
Saskatchewan	26.44	51.35
Yukon	30.00	71.24

Teacher Salary in Canada (Secondary School Teacher)

Here are the latest high school teacher salaries in Canada:

PROVINCE	LOW ($/hour)	HIGH ($/hour)
CANADA	28.57	57.60
Alberta	28.85	56.80
British Columbia	27.50	54.95
Manitoba	26.00	55.76
New Brunswick	26.44	43.27
Newfoundland and Labrador	38.75	63.85
Northwest Territories	22.89	73.50
Nova Scotia	24.04	51.27
Nunavut	26.38	73.50
Ontario	30.65	60.90
Prince Edward Island	24.04	45.64
Quebec	28.85	51.79
Saskatchewan	30.77	56.04
Yukon	23.44	60.10

Also read: What is the Average Teacher Salary in Canada

What are the Best Provinces in Canada for Teaching Jobs Today?

According to the Canada Job Bank, some of the best provinces in Canada for teaching include: secondary school teaching job prospects include:

• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Ontario.

You can research secondary school teaching job prospects for these provinces and find the best local regions for jobs. You can also find job prospects for primary school teachers in Canada.

There are hundreds of schools, colleges, universities, and teaching centers across Canada and you can find jobs in many cities or towns. Focus on the provinces and cities seeing population growth and where there will be a higher teacher demand. Teacher shortages are historically greater in the country’s underserved northern areas such as Yukon Territory.

Pursuing a Teaching Career in Canada

Pursuing a career in teaching starts with getting the right academic credentials based on the province where you plan to work. Below is valuable information to help you pursue a teaching career in Canada:

Major Employers for Teaching Jobs in Canada

Teachers in Canada look for jobs at the school board, and then at the school level. You can view a list of provincial school board associations that represent just over 250 school boards in Canada by visiting the Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) website.

Large cities typically have more teaching jobs available. For example, The Toronto District School Board is the largest employer of teachers in Canada. It employs about 40,000 employees people in 584 schools.

How to Become a Teacher in Canada

If you are new to Canada and want to become a teacher, you will have to complete these steps:

• Get an undergraduate degree: Complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university in Canada

• Decide where you want to teach: A teaching career can take many paths. Choosing where you want to teach will help you with graduate school selection. For example, if you want to teach in Alberta, it’s best to get your teaching certificate from a school in the same province. 

• Consider the grade and subjects you want to teach: In Canada, you can teach at the primary, middle school, and high school levels. You can also specialize in different subjects. 

• Go to teachers’ college: Complete a graduate program in education in the province you will teach. Complete all in-class and practical requirements.

• Get certified: Apply for certification and complete all requirements. 

• Search for teaching jobs: Start your search for your first teaching job.

How Can I Get a Teaching Job in Canada?

To get a teaching job in Canada you need to know how to search for jobs and prepare for the interview. The application process and requirements may be different than in your home country. Use these tips to help you get a teaching job in Canada.

Job Search Techniques for Teachers

You may need help to find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, and prepare for interviews. Fortunately, many settlement services can help you with your job search.

Here are some tips to help you search for teacher jobs:

• Broaden your search and include alternative careers.

• Seek a mentor in the teaching sector such as a retired teacher. A mentor can give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.

• Join teaching-related job-finding or networking clubs through settlement services.

• Attend teaching-related career or job fairs.

Immigrant Settlement Agencies

Most settlement agencies and immigrant-serving organizations offer employment services to help newcomers work in Canada. This can include help finding jobs, updating your resume, writing cover letter, and preparing for interviews. Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.

Writing your Teaching Resume

You can improve your chances of finding a teaching job by creating a Canadian-style resume. Other information to include in your teaching resume include:

Teaching Certificates

List all teaching certificates and other endorsements and include completion dates or expected completion dates.

Experience

Break this section into separate subheadings such as teaching and related work experience. Experience can be paid or unpaid; including internships, observation experience, classroom management skills/strategies, teaching methods used, experience with students with functional needs, and interactions with parents.

List your teaching experiences in reverse chronological order.

Use action verbs and specific details such as grade levels taught, class size, and any other information that will help a reader visualize you in that experience. Include the job title, name of the school, and dates for each position.

Credentials

Highlight your academic credentials and include certifications and degrees on the first page under your profile. You can mention your most important teaching credentials in a summary of your qualifications.

Accomplishments

Showcase your teaching accomplishments. You can include your practicum/intern/volunteer experience and treat it just like a job on your resume. 

Accomplishments can include delivering in-service training workshops for teacher colleagues, developing after-school programs or extracurricular activities, and expertise in teaching methods or approaches.

Use Keywords

Include keywords specific to the teaching job to make your resume stand out. Keywords will also help Applicant Tracking Systems to flag your resume. You can identify important keywords from the job description.

Some relevant keywords may include teaching and learning, curriculum development, curriculum planning, creative lesson planning, and classroom management.

Create a Teaching Portfolio

Create a teacher portfolio so you can bring samples of your work to help you succeed in job interviews. Your portfolio shows your strengths and what you offer. You can include your resume, recommendation letters, sample syllabi, and lesson plans.

Interview Techniques for Teaching Jobs in Canada

When you are invited to attend an interview, you need to prepare. Use your research about teaching in Canada to show how you are a perfect fit. Prepare to answer questions with clear examples, as you would prepare to lead a classroom.

You may be interviewed by a school team consisting of the principal, vice-principal, and one or two staff members, or you may be interviewed at the board level by a panel of interviewers. It’s important to practice your responses to help you show confidence during your interview!

If you show any shyness or hesitancy, it could create doubt about your teaching ability. Be sure to reflect your interest in students and their needs when you respond to questions. Show how you are responsible for improving the social and academic achievement of your students. Interviewers will assess if your responses are consistent with the information you have included in your cover letter and resume. Clearly show how you meet the requirements to teach in Canada.

Sample Interview Questions for Teacher Jobs

Below are sample questions that interviewers may ask you:

• How do you use technology to enhance student learning?

• What is your educational philosophy?

• Describe how you would prepare to teach a large amount of material. (Hint: Show a sample lesson plan or discuss how you would use a curriculum map that includes learning objectives, assessments, activities, and standards).

Of course, there are many other questions that you need to prepare to answer. Be familiar with current teaching approaches. If you are applying for a position as a 3rd-grade math teacher, for example, there may be recent teaching developments that you can discuss. This will show your knowledge and commitment to teaching and set you apart from other candidates.

Informational Interviews to Learn About Teaching in Canada

An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting with someone who currently works in teaching. Your goal is to learn more about teaching in Canada. The goal is to gather information and determine if a position is a good fit for your interests and your personality. Avoid asking for a job in an informational interview.

An informational interview with a contact from your network can be a great source to gather career information. In addition, you’ll learn about the teacher’s first-hand experiences and insights on teaching job requirements in Canada.

Networking to Find Teacher Jobs in Canada

As many job vacancies are not advertised, connecting with practicing teachers and others within your field is important. Building networks will help you discover job leads and gather vital information about teaching in Canada.

When you network with others, you also get insights about teaching in general or specific schools. This information can strengthen your resume, cover letter, and interview skills. Meeting others is also a great way to expand your professional network.

Teaching conferences and associations are good places to network, build relationships, and share information. LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues and employers, search for jobs, and get introductions and recommendations. You can also mingle with people in the teaching sector and join related professional groups.

Networking is more about building relationships. It’s not appropriate to ask a networking contact for a job. However, if they have job leads, they will likely share them with you. Remember, it takes time and effort to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. 

Get more great tips for successful networking: Build Your Professional Network Before You Arrive.

With a positive outlook for teaching jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options. With international experience, passion, and talent, a teaching career is within reach!