I'm hoping to act as a supply teacher at some stage when we make our way across the water before Easter 2012.

How big of a process is this? I am a Canadian citizen (as my mother was born in Calgary) I have a BA(hons) degree in Consumer Studies and a PGCE in Home Economics and I'm in my 4th year of secondart school teaching (in a permanent position). How realistic is teaching in Alberta for me?

Any advice would be most welcome.
Thanks

It's as realistic as you want it to be.

Cryptic reply as an excuse to bump and get a more informed response....

PS... as a teacher, check your spelling.

The general concensus on teaching in Canada is that it will take a long time to get a full-time permanent position, but it shouldn't be too hard to get a supply position (though by no means trivial). I am training to be a physics teacher myself (although reconsidering it) and on my PGDE course in the UK there are Canadians, which give some indication of the saturation of teachers in Canada.

You just need to apply to get your Alberta Teaching Certificate and then start applying for jobs in school districts in Alberta - pretty much. http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/certification.aspx

After sending money, certificates etc to the Alberta board to get my qualifications cross referenced, they responded saying that because I hadn't studied Canadian studies as part of my degree, I was currently illegible to teache in Alberta! Should have read the small print I guess. I have had a successful 22 year teaching experience in uk and am currently a primary headteacher. Was a little disillusioned that despite all this I am unable to teach. No idea yet how to go about getting a course on Canadian studies in the bag!

Have a look at the University of Athabasca - I think you can do this by distance ed - or try the University of Alberta website too.

The Alberta Board can probably point you in the right direction. A friend of mine was going to do a couple of these courses, she needed quite a few credits because she had only done a 3-yr UK degree - and it was through one of hte above institutions. Sorry I can't be more help - but have a play with their websites.

Many thanks for this info.. I am onto it!

Get a life.
A typo isn't the same as poor spelling.

Hello there

I'm a High School English teacher and I'm expecting to hear from Alberta Board of Education any day now. I sent my application, (which was thorough) at the end of June. I had an interview with the Calgary Board of Education last Thursday and I have to say, it went very well. I was told that there are many supply jobs and that getting out there and developing a reputation is vital in order to secure a permanent position. Maintain a positive outlook, complete paperwork accurately and mark my words, the work will come. If you need further help regarding paperwork etc....I'll be glad to give assistance.


Geedee, I have to agree with Jericho about typos.

By the way, we've been in Calgay since May. Just have to modify personal information....

Oh dear... perhaps there is a point.

I was going to say, jericho, get a sense of humour.

Or do you all need ROFLMAO smilies to get it?

Good luck navigating through their addiction to seniority over competency.

This made me giggle. Perhaps a course in penmanship might help?

[and before amybody jumps, I assume this was a typo rather than a spelling error.]