How to become a teacher in Ontario

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A caring and passionate teacher can change students’ lives. Teaching is deeply rewarding work that will transform your life, too.

Teachers help to create the next generation of empowered, motivated, capable young adults, ready to explore their strengths and improve the world.

And with teachers in high demand across the province, it’s a great time to start a career in education.

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Steps on how to become a teacher in Ontario, Canada

Start building your experience working with kids through volunteer or employment opportunities.
Complete a bachelor's degree in education or another subject.
Complete a teacher education program (four semesters).
Apply to and be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers.

If you’re wondering how to become a teacher, this article is for you. We’ll map out the route to a career in teaching. And along the way, we have expert advice for you from two ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni who teach in the Ontario system, and from Libby Burkett (she/her), a further education career leader from �²��ٱ��Ǵ�’s Centre for Career Development (CCD).

Meet our alumni

Katherine Brown (she/her) is a ��ݮ��Ƶ grad with a degree in Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies (now called Sexualities, Relationships, and Families). “I didn’t have an 'a-ha' moment, but I knew I was good at working with kids,” says Katherine. “I didn’t know it was going to be my calling until I got into teaching and realized that I was actually good at teaching — then I was hooked!” Katherine’s been teaching for eight years and is currently teaching Grade 6 with the ��ݮ��Ƶ Region District School Board (WRDSB). “It’s my favourite grade to teach!”

Mike Miniou (he/him) graduated from ��ݮ��Ƶ with a degree in Mathematics. He realized he wanted to be a teacher in high school after he spent a semester tutoring a friend who was struggling in Grade 12 Biology: “I looked forward to helping my friends more than doing anything else at school.” Mike currently teaches secondary school math and computer science with the WRDSB.

A teacher holding up a book with numbers on it. A young student to the left of her counting with her fingers.

How to get experience working with kids

Experience working or volunteering with children is a key part of your application to a teacher education program. There are lots of ways to gain experience working with children and youth — and that experience will also help you decide whether teaching is really for you.

I was always working with kids. I had worked in a YMCA, at a daycare, and I'd coached figure skating. They all added up for me.

Katherine (she/her)

As a high school or university student, you can become a homework tutor at your local public library; work at a summer camp or your local ; volunteer with groups like or ; or coach a sports team, to give just a few examples. Consider your strengths as well as the age group you think you’d like to teach. Your high school guidance counsellor should have some ideas, too.

But don’t worry if you’ve been flipping burgers instead of teaching swimming through high school. “Teaching programs tend to give more weight to your most recent two years of experience,” says Libby. And most programs really value experience in the classroom. “Right now, emergency supply is in demand, and you don’t need a teaching degree,” Libby points out. If you’re over 18 and have your high school diploma, some boards will hire you as an emergency classroom monitor. Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, you even can work as an emergency substitute teacher in some regions. And you can always volunteer in schools.

Get in a school and volunteer so you really know what it's like. Try to gain experience in a range of situations and expose yourself to different students before you start teacher's college. It's also a good way to make contacts.

Mike (he/him)

A teacher standing at the front of a classroom giving a lecture.

How to choose a university program to become a teacher

To become a teacher in Ontario, you must first complete an undergraduate degree. While many students choose education as their field of study, it’s not a requirement to have a degree in education right from the start. Teaching is a profession that welcomes a wide range of academic backgrounds. Whether you’ve studied arts, sciences, engineering, business, or any other field, your degree can lead to a fulfilling career in education. The beauty of teaching is that it’s not just about the content you teach; it’s about how you engage with students and inspire them to learn.

I was able to uncover interests during university by taking a variety of courses. I wish someone had said to me, 'you don't have to have it perfectly mapped out.' It can be messy, and you can stumble your way through and still find yourself!

Katherine (she/her)

Elementary vs school (Kindergarten to Grade 6)

In elementary school, teachers generally do not specialize in a single subject. Instead, they teach a broad range of subjects, including English, math, science, social studies, and more. You’ll need a well-rounded education, but you don’t have to have specific “teachable subjects.” If you’re already sure you want to become an elementary school teacher, you won’t need to specialize in a particular subject, although most teaching programs prefer you to have some credits in core elementary school subjects such as English, math, and science.

Secondary school (Grades 7-12)

In secondary school, teachable subjects are more specific, as you’ll be responsible for teaching specific subjects, such as math, science, history, English, geography, or languages. Secondary school teachers typically specialize in two subject areas. For example, you could choose to specialize in math and chemistry or English and history.
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To qualify to teach these subjects, you’ll need to plan your undergraduate degree around these specializations. You can achieve this by pursuing a double major or a major and minor (e.g. if you want to teach math and science, you could major in mathematics and minor in biology). You’ll need to make sure you meet the required number of credits in each subject to be considered qualified to teach those areas. Teaching programs at universities will have specific rules about how many credits or courses are needed to qualify in each subject, so it's important to research the specific requirements for the schools you want to go to so you can plan your courses accordingly.

If you need to adjust your specializations — or even the grade level you teach — there are courses you can take in teacher's college and throughout your career.

Mike (he/him)

Whether your teachables are in math, literature, art, drama science, languages, or physical education, the essential quality of being a great teacher is your ability to connect with students, inspire curiosity, and foster a love of learning. The best subjects to study in university are ones you are passionate about and excited to teach.

A teacher crouched down beside a students desk talking to them as they do their work.

The fast track to teaching

Some undergraduate programs at ��ݮ��Ƶ will give you a head start on a career in education.

The Fine Arts department at ��ݮ��Ƶ offers a teaching specialization that includes built-in volunteer hours. Ten spaces in Nipissing University’s Bachelor of Education program are reserved for ��ݮ��Ƶ Fine Arts students.
The Department of French Studies at ��ݮ��Ƶ offers a teaching specialization that includes built-in volunteer or paid experience in classroom or community settings. Thirty spaces in Nipissing University's Bachelor of Education program are reserved each year for ��ݮ��Ƶ French Studies students.
�²��ٱ��Ǵ�’s Mathematics/Teaching program includes eight months of paid teaching experience to bring to your teacher education program.
If your dream is to become a physical education teacher, a degree in kinesiology or physical education will expand the range of teaching education programs you can apply to.

Follow your bliss

Really, though, the best degree to take is the one you’re most passionate about. ��ݮ��Ƶ offers over a hundred different programs in science, arts and humanities, fine and performing arts, math, music, environment, and more that can set you on the path to a teaching career. Choose an undergraduate program that excites you — it will make you a stronger candidate, and a better teacher, too.

A teacher sitting at their desk on a video call. Their expression is excited and their hands are up.

How to apply to teacher's college

In Ontario’s two-year teacher education program, you'll learn not just what to teach, but how to teach, and you’ll also get hands-on experience in the classroom. Apply to teacher education programs at Ontario universities through the .

Not all schools offer all teaching subjects. Requirements for teaching subjects will be different from school to school — and sometimes change from year to year at the same school. Teachers’ colleges often have relationships with specific school boards for student teacher placement. It’s a good idea to spend some time looking through different programs so you can start to plan ahead.

Be prepared — whether it's for a test or an interview. You can't fake preparedness. Put your all into it.

Katherine (she/her)

The CCD can help with that. ��ݮ��Ƶ students and alumni can book unlimited hour-long appointments or just drop in. “I’ve had some students who I’ve met with weekly, or monthly, for a while,” says Libby. And support goes beyond just sorting through information: “We can help with wording email inquiries; we can help with practice phone calls,” says Libby. “And at the applying stage, we can help with that as well. It can be useful to have an experienced set of eyes on your documents. We can even sit with you while you’re physically applying to ensure everything goes smoothly.” CCD advisors can also help if you’re interested in teaching in other jurisdictions in Canada, or even internationally.

As much as I'm teaching [students] curriculum, I'm also teaching them how to be global citizens and nice people. And it's the best job in the world.

Katherine (she/her)

laptop, backpack and open notebook on table

How to choose a university program

Choosing a university program can be a daunting task. A big part of that challenge is not knowing what to look for. To make this process slightly easier, here are a few factors to consider when choosing a university program.

overhead view of busy thoroughfare on campus

Choose electives you are passionate about!

Starting in the Honours Arts and Business program, Caitlin explored a variety of electives, eventually discovering her passion for science and business. This led her to an unexpected yet thrilling path in law, focusing on intellectual property. Read Caitlin's journey and see how choosing electives you love can transform your university experience and future career!

Two students walking and talking on campus in the fall

Nine factors to consider when choosing a university

So you’re thinking about going to university. With so many programs and universities, how do you pick? Here are nine factors to consider.

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