About Teachers of General Studies
Grade ranges in Ontario schools are divided into divisions:
- Primary Division - junior kindergarten to Grade 3 (ages 4 to 8)
- Junior Division - Grade 4 to Grade 6
- Intermediate Division - Grade 7 to Grade 10
- Senior Division - Grade 11 and Grade 12
To be certified to teach General Studies in Ontario, you need to be qualified in two consecutive teaching divisions. The three options you have are:
- primary/junior, or
- junior/intermediate, or
- intermediate/senior
Learn more about requirements.
The division in which you teach is based on the evaluation of your teacher education program by the College.
Primary division teachers teach children from kindergarten to Grade 3. They teach basic learning skills, reading and writing, and basic mathematics. The early years are extremely important for a student's development.
Junior division teachers generally teach all subjects to their students, including language skills (reading, writing, grammar), mathematics, science, geography, and history. French and music may also be taught. These are not optional courses; they are taught in the junior division.
Intermediate division teachers for Grades 7 and 8 normally teach all subjects to one class of students. Depending on the school, a teacher may teach only one subject or teach several subjects. If you are teaching in an elementary school (grade 7 and 8), you will be teaching most subjects. If you teach in a high school (Grade 9 and 10) you will be teaching two or three subjects.
Senior division teachers teach students in Grades 11 and 12 and may teach only one or two subjects, often to different groups of students. For example, an English teacher may teach two groups of Grade 11 students at different times of the day, as well as a Grade 12 English class. If a teacher has the necessary course prerequisites, he or she can take upgrading courses to be able to teach different grades and/or subjects.
Secondary-level teachers also prepare students to apply to college or university. Students who complete the Ontario secondary school diploma (OSSD) can apply to university or college or go directly into the world of work.
Below is a list of the General Studies subjects that can be taught by intermediate- and senior-level teachers:
- Anglais (English in French schools)
- Business Studies - Accounting
- Business Studies - Data Processing
- Business Studies - Marketing and Merchandising
- Business Studies - Information Management
- Classical Studies - Greek
- Classical Studies - Latin
- Computer Science
- Dance
- Design and Technology
- Dramatic Arts
- Economics
- English (literature and writing)
- English as a Second Language
- Environmental Science
- Family Studies
- Français (literature and composition)
- French (Second Language)
- Geography
- History
- Individual and Society
- International Languages
- Law
- Mathematics
- Music - Instrumental
- Music - Vocal
- Native Language (second language)
- Native Studies
- Politics
- Physical and Health Education
- Religious Education
- Science - General
- Science - Biology
- Science - Chemistry
- Science - Geology
- Science - Physics
- Visual Arts
Teachers in the elementary division are required to teach all subjects.
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Teachers in the junior/intermediate division must have expertise in one subject specialization in the intermediate division.
Teachers in the intermediate/senior division must have expertise in two subjects.