Labour Market Information
Your ability to find work as a teacher depends 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 - at any given time, the population numbers change based on the birth rate and immigration. For example, a "baby boom" will result in a higher number of the students of a certain age.
- Supply of teachers - if a high percentage of teachers is nearing retirement, there will be more openings for new teachers in the school system.
- Teaching subjects - depending on factors in society and, ultimately, the government that funds schools, there may be a greater demand for teachers of certain teaching subjects .
At present, Ontario has a shortage of qualified teachers in specific subjects such as French, chemistry, physics, computer studies, mathematics, and Technological Studies, and special education. Teachers who are qualified to teach these subjects, especially at the secondary level, should expect to find work within a reasonable time period. However, it is important to stay up-to-date on labour market information for teachers as this may change from year to year.
Where to Find Teaching Positions
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.