Education and Teacher Guide

Length of Training

The time required to complete a program depends on the specific career you wish to pursue. Programs for education assistants generally last between six and 12 months. Early childhood education programs usually run between nine months and two years. However, four-year bachelor's degree programs are also available.**

After finishing high school, it typically takes four to six years to become a fully qualified K-12 teacher.** However, candidates who already have a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than education can become qualified by completing a one-to-two-year teacher preparation program.

Program Options

Certificate or diploma programs in education assisting and early childhood education are widely available at technical institutes, community colleges, and vocational schools. They typically last anywhere from six months to two years.**

Bachelor's degree programs in education can be found at universities and colleges across the country. You can opt for a four- or five-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) program that combines academic studies and teacher preparation. Or you can choose a concurrent program, in which you complete a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in one subject (such as math, drama, or Canadian studies) along with a BEd. Concurrent programs typically take five to six years.**

Post-degree teacher training programs usually take one to two years to complete. They are designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in an area other than education.** They allow you to earn a BEd and qualify for teaching certification.

Typical Courses

Programs designed to train education professionals typically cover subjects like:

• The principles of teaching
• Diversity and inclusion
• Education policy and ethics
• Classroom management
• Serving students with special needs
• Second language acquisition
• Human development

Most programs also include a practicum where aspiring educators get hands-on practice in a real classroom.

Skills You Can Learn

Generally speaking, post-secondary training in education can help you learn how to:

• Foster an inclusive educational environment
• Design a developmentally appropriate learning program
• Create lesson plans that promote the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills
• Select technological tools and resources that advance learning
• Assess student achievement
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, and co-workers
• Follow professional and ethical standards

Licensing & Certification

Most, but not all, areas of Canada require licensing for early childhood educators. Regulations vary between regions, but assistants typically need certificate while educators must possess a two-year diploma. These links provide more information on the nine jurisdictions that have licensing regulations:

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Yukon

All teachers in the public K-12 system must be certified or licensed by the province or territory where they work. The specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, but all areas of Canada require teachers to complete a bachelor's degree program in education that includes a supervised practicum.

Education & Training FAQs

Are online programs available?

Some programs are delivered entirely online, giving you a convenient way to complete your training. However, not all include a supervised practicum, so be sure to research the requirements in your area for the role you want to pursue.

If I get my education in one province, will my credentials be recognized in another?

Candidates certified in one province or territory can apply to have their credentials accepted in another jurisdiction. K-12 teachers do not generally have to take additional training to be certified in another region, but they may be required to demonstrate language proficiency. Each province defines early childhood education standards slightly differently, but this chart illustrates how they compare across the country.

Career Information

Education professionals strive to help students develop a love of learning and become the best they can be. This field offers meaningful work and plenty of opportunities.

Earnings

Here are the median yearly wages (based on full-time employment) for different careers in education, according to data from the Government of Canada Job Bank:

• Early childhood educators and assistants: $37,440
• Education assistants: $45,760
• Special education teachers: $54,080
• Primary school teachers: $78,000
• Secondary school teachers: $85,717

Based on the above figures, the average median wage for educators in Canada (below the college and university level) is $60,199.

Job Openings & Outlook

According to the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), occupations in education below the college or university level should see an average employment growth rate of 8.9 percent between 2019 and 2028.

That figure is based on an average of the rates for each of the following careers:

• Early childhood educators and assistants
• Education assistants
• Primary school teachers
• Secondary school teachers
• Special education teachers

COPS data also reveals that a cumulative total of 27,160 jobs for the above occupations should become available each year, on average, between 2019 and 2028.

What an Educator Does

Educators seek to support the intellectual and social development of students.

The tasks they perform vary somewhat depending on their specific role. For instance, early childhood educators often teach songs, read stories, and lead students in arts and crafts activities. Primary school teachers teach a variety of subjects to a single class, while secondary school teachers generally teach one or two subjects to multiple groups of students.

So, depending on the age group or subject area they focus on, an educator might:

• Create lesson plans that align with prescribed curricula
• Use a variety of tools and techniques, such as videos, class discussions, hands-on activities, and field trips
• Assign homework, administer exams, and evaluate student progress
• Look for indications of developmental or learning issues
• Prepare alternative materials for students who need extra assistance or can handle additional challenges
• Communicate with parents and school administrators
• Lead extracurricular activities like sports and clubs

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Work Settings

Teachers and education assistants work in public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Some also provide instruction or support online from their homes.

Early childhood educators can work in preschools, daycare centres, private homes, and early learning centres in public schools.

Careers

The education field encompasses a wide range of careers, such as:

Preschool teacher: Use play-based activities to promote the social development of young children and help them get ready for kindergarten.

Kindergarten teacher: Help five- and six-year-olds develop basic reading, number, and social skills and adapt to school routines and expectations.

Elementary school teacher: Promote the academic and emotional growth of children in the early grades.

High school teacher: Focus on expanding teenagers' knowledge and skills in specialized subject areas.

Education assistant: Reinforce lesson plan concepts by offering extra help and attention to small groups of students within the classroom.

Special education teacher: Support the learning goals of students with special needs.

Tutor: Provide one-on-one instruction to private clients.

ESL teacher: Help improve the written and oral communication skills of those whose first language is not English.

Specializations

Educators have an enormous range of potential specialties. For instance, early childhood educators can focus on areas like Indigenous education, infant and toddler development, or special education.

Teachers working with older students often concentrate on one or two academic areas. Here are some examples of potential specialties:

• Art
• Business
• Science (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)
• Computer science
• Dance
• Drama
• English language arts
• First Nations studies
• French (core or immersion)
• Home economics
• Mathematics
• Music
• Other languages (American Sign Language, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, etc.)
• Physical education
• Social studies or history
• Special education
• Trades (automotive, electrical, HVAC, etc.)

Career FAQs

How do I know if a career in education is a good fit for me?

If you enjoy working with young people and are passionate about inspiring them to reach their potential, the education field might be a good choice. Great teachers are patient, organized, resourceful, persistent, and dedicated to the needs of their students. You may have to put in long hours outside of the workday preparing lessons, marking assignments, or meeting with parents. But if you dream of making a difference in a child's life, this may be the field for you.

Which occupations within education have the best outlooks?

According to COPS data, special education teachers are expected to see the most rapid job growth over the 2019-to-2028 period. Here's how the careers compare:

• Special education teachers: 10.1 percent
• Education assistants: 9.9 percent
• Early childhood educators and assistants: 9.3 percent
• Primary school teachers: 8.6 percent
• Secondary school teachers: 6.8 percent

But percentages don't tell the whole story. Below are the average number of annual job openings that are projected to become available in each occupation over the same period:

• Primary school teachers: 9,770
• Early childhood educators and assistants: 8,160
• Secondary school teachers: 5,000
• Education assistants: 4,020
• Special education teachers: 210

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* Salary information represents an average of the median wages for early childhood educators and assistants, education assistants, primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and special education teachers, as noted by the Government of Canada Job Bank. Career outlook and job openings data are drawn from the Canadian Occupation Projection System for the same careers.

** Length of training information is based on a combination of information from the Government of Canada Job Bank, the government of Canada's post-secondary search tool, and a wide sampling of relevant program lengths from up to 30 individual school websites— a mix of public, private non-profit, and private for-profit institutions.