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What to Expect When Applying for Your First Education Job
May 15, 2026
New Ontario graduates, you're entering at peak demand. Teacher shortages create openings, but permanent roles still require strategy with 50+ applicants per posting. Most candidates start as occasional teachers ($286–$300/day) before moving into permanent roles ($51K–$68K Year 1). From years of hiring experience, here’s what the real process looks like. Market Snapshot Shortages are expected to intensify by 2027 as retirements and...
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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Interviewing for Education Jobs
Apr 10, 2026
Interviewing for a job in education is slightly different from interviewing in other fields. Schools look beyond credentials and knowledge. Administrators seek staff who can build trust, communicate clearly, support students, and forge positive relationships with the community. That means the interview is about more than answering questions correctly—it's about showing who you are and how you show up with people.   Over the years, I've...
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OT, LTO, or Permanent? A Simple Guide to Teacher Titles
Mar 18, 2026
If you’re just entering the profession, you’ve likely noticed that a "teaching job" is labelled in many different ways. When you start browsing for work, the variety of titles can be overwhelmin g: Occasional Teacher (OT), LTO, Teacher on Call (TOC/TTOC), Sub, Subbing, Substitute, or Casual Supply. These roles can be described as full-time or part-time due to the nature of their length but regardless of the label, the core of the job...
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Beyond the Staff Room Grapevine: Navigating the 2026 Teaching Job Market
Mar 11, 2026
How to Get Hired As A New Teacher 2026 If you are graduating from a Faculty of Education this year, you are likely hearing a lot of conflicting advice. Some peers might say you’ll be supply teaching for years or that the supply list isn’t open at all; others might tell you they’ve already lined up a Long-Term Occasional (LTO) contract before finishing their last placement, some are already working on the local supply list while some have...
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Tips to Land Your First Teaching Job
Jan 11, 2026
Landing your first teaching job can feel like a big milestone, because it is. It takes patience, time, and consistent effort, especially in a competitive market where many applicants have similar qualifications. The good news is that there are clear ways to stand out. If you have the right certifications, can confidently communicate your strengths, and can connect your experiences (even outside the classroom) to what schools need, you’ll be...
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How Transitional Certificates Help You Start Teaching
Mar 25, 2025
Who Might Explore These Avenues? Teacher candidates in Ontario accredited programs who are seeking to enhance their practical teaching skills and gain valuable classroom experience while completing their studies are the ideal candidates for the Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (TCQR) or a Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR). While full certification is the goal, these...
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Interview Tips, Plus Insights into What Your Interviewer Is Looking For
Feb 13, 2024
Interviewer Checklist During a teacher interview, the interviewer is typically looking for a combination of professional qualifications, interpersonal skills, and a commitment to effective teaching. Here are some key aspects that interviewers often assess: Content Knowledge: Interviewers want to ensure that you have a solid understanding of the subject matter you will be teaching. They may ask questions related to your program,...
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Navigating Your Teaching Career: From Exciting Beginnings to Leadership Opportunities
Jan 17, 2024
Your Teaching Journey Begins As a teacher just entering the world of education, the journey ahead is both exhilarating and filled with challenges. The start of your career is a pivotal moment that sets the tone for years to come. The big question on everyone’s mind - do choices you make early in your career determine your path for the years to follow? Critical Choices Along Your Career Path You will face many choices, each with the...
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Demystifying Education Acronyms: A New Teacher's Glossary
Nov 07, 2023
Starting your teaching journey can be a thrilling experience, but it can also feel slightly overwhelming, especially with the number of acronyms thrown your way. In the world of education, acronyms are a language of their own, and understanding them is crucial to navigating the profession effectively. For new teachers or soon-to-be educators, we've put together a mini glossary of some common acronyms to help you get started. OCT -...
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Should You Have a Teaching Portfolio?
Nov 09, 2022
As a teacher looking for a new position, it’s natural you might want to stand out of the crowd to impress interviewers and increase your chances of landing your ideal job. There are a few ways you can achieve this such as with a teaching portfolio. While a teaching portfolio may not always be required as part of the application process, it can help you make a good impression by highlighting your skills and experiences to the interviewers. A...
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