Hi I'm thinking about starting a teaching career here in London, England with plans in the next 2-3 years to move to Vancouver island with my family. However I'm stuck on the type of teaching to go into and I need to apply this September (do I chose primary or college teaching?) I am currently working in a secondary school as a special needs support worker but feel that there are no subjects for this age group that interests me. I have a degree in psychology so I wouldn't mind teaching that at A level or teaching junior aged children appeals to me because of their thirst to learn and absorb info at this age. Does anyone have an idea of the teaching demands in Nanaimo and surrounding areas?thanks

Maths, science or modern languages. Everything else they've loads of already.

However the chances of getting a teaching job are very slim, have a plan b.
Even new graduates in BC are having a hard time finding work.

Have to agree with Aviator,

I was stood in the playground this afternoon with a student teacher who graduates in June ... she was upset and told me that if she'd known what the prospects (especially recently) and job security were like she'd have never gone into teaching .

Sorry to sound a bit gloomy but it's pretty tough for the teachers with little or no seniority ( and Ed Assistants, like me) here in Nanaimo. Nanaimo school district covers all of the city, plus Cedar & Ladysmith.

Tell her to be patient. People retire and enrolments fluctuate all the time. Maybe not in the Nanaimo district but she'll get a job eventually.

187 laid off today ?
http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/v...layoff-notices

This one says 340 !! http://www.straight.com/article-3247...epares-layoffs

I would echo the above posters. The other thing to bear in mind is that just because you are a qualified teacher in the UK doesn't mean that you will be accepted by the BC Ministry of Education (previously the BC College of Teachers) of being worthy!

I had 8 years of teaching A Level in the UK in an independent school after having done a two year conversion course, and the BCMoE decided that I would have to take a course in Assessment of Students. Amusing considering I marked for exam boards as well as my own students etc

Roles in certain areas are dropping (e.g. North Shore Van) but growing heavily in others (e.g Surrey) to the point where their infrastructure is struggling to cope.

I would strongly advise liaising with the Ministry before hand to see if you meet their criteria etc, as that could alleviate frustration before landing

Another avenue is to have a look at the private schools here, which have a slightly more balanced view of experience and credentials. There are plenty in Vancouver, including a dedicated special needs school.

Hope this helps a little, but if you have any more questions, just send me a pm.

And just in case you haven't read it already - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Teaching_in_Canada

Based on the reality, the OP's best bet is Surrey school district surely?

I have to admit that's one thing I don't get in all this. I have some teacher grad friends who cant' get full time work in their districts of choice (Bby, coquitlam etc) but who won't go to Surrey. I don't get it...

Parochial Canadians.

You've been to Surrey? Some parts, you'd get it.

'Tis beyonde the Porte Mann Bridge. Thar be dragons and wilde beasts!

There might as well be the way you hear some north of Fraser people go on.

I am on Vancouver Island and I agree with other posts have a huge plan B made! A friend of ours is a teacher from Edmonton, very experienced and is working at a local hardware store. Another neighbour's daughter graduated more than a year ago and cannot get a job and is planning on going to China. I would get hold of the Ministry as someone else said. Each area is divided into Districts and times are hard! Unless you are in Victoria most often it is very difficult to get any job on Vancouver Island especially a newby! Sorry to sound gloomy, but I think you must research this properly in order not to be disappointed. Good Luck

I'm an elementary school teacher in BC. I've taught in Vancouver, Victoria and now the interior. Prospects for employment can be gloomy, but it's still possible if you have time, patience, and another income source (ex, a partner). It also helps if you make your base outside of Vancouver and Victoria as the largest surplus of teachers are in these areas.

Your best chances for employment are in French immersion education. There is a huge demand from parents for this program and school districts want to run as many classrooms as possible. In fact, as a French immersion teacher, you could almost have your choice of location and grades.

I strongly recommend against going into special education. Unfortunately, the provincial government is moving away from hiring special education teachers, and hiring more education assistants (EAs) instead (ex, their proposed Learning Improvement Fund - LIF). This is because EAs are cheaper than special education teachers. The special education teachers who remain in the system spend less and less time working one-on-one with special needs children and, instead, spend more time managing EA schedules and programs.

Nanaimo, specifically, has an incredibly high number of Teachers on Call (TOCs) in comparison to other school districts. Work can be sparse and, as seniority is weighted heavily in BC, it takes time to get a permanent position. However, as I mentioned above, an ability to teach French immersion can make a big difference.