Help making career decision - - - teaching Canada / US

[mousey]

Hi everyone,

I usually lurk rather than post, but I have seen how supportive you all are and I really need some opinions.

The background is - I finished college with excellent academics (PhD from a top school etc). I then went to a big name investment bank, and spent a year there. The never ending work (16 hour days were not very unusual) plus a death in the family nearly killed me, so I gave up. I then got another job in PR (again a big name brand), and I didn't like it for various reasons. I stayed there a year, but was considering my options from day one. One day about 3 months ago, it hit me.... I love children, I love teaching (was v successful at tutoring undergrads - school wide awards etc), why not become an elementary school teacher. So I applied, got into the program, gave up job about 2 weeks ago and am waiting to start.

Meanwhile, my lovely husband also hates his job (also IB). He always wanted to be an academic. He just saw a job advertisement for a good job in Canada, and has applied. He has heard that he has very good chances of getting it.

I have looked into transferring a UK teaching cert such that I could teach in Canada, and it is far from easy. It would mean another year, a cost of $8000, and it is not obvious that I would get a job afterwards. The situation is made even harder by the fact that DH's job is a two year contract and he expects to move within Canada or the US afterwards.

My choice is to carry on with the teaching cert (1 year), living long distance from DH for part of it in the hope that eventually I will get a teaching job in Canada. Or not do the teaching cert... Move to Canada with DH and try to get a different sort of job. Making this even harder is that I really want to start trying for a baby (I am not young). In the back of my head I think - lets just start trying now and forget about jobs and stay at home with my family for a few years. But that would probably be the end of any 'career' for me. Financially, we could do this at a stretch.

Are there any Canadian teachers out there? Or any others that could give me any advice. I feel more than a little lost.

 

[TooPatient]

Have you looked at the requirements for teaching in the US and Canada? If you've got a PhD, I thought you were able to teach at colleges & universities (public, private, and technical etc) without any further certifications. FI taught for a year with nothing more than a Bachelor's in Computer Science.

As another alternative, have you considered looking into tutoring centers like Sylvan or Kumon? They have them all over the place so if your husband's contract ended and you had to move again you wouldn't be stuck searching for work.

I just feel like if you are already stressed about a move out of country and change in career that adding onto that the stress of living apart for a year (or more) would be very unpleasant -- especially since you'd like to start a family soon.

Good luck!

 

[mousey]

Thanks so much for your reply TooPatient. Yes, I am starting to think time apart would not be a good idea. I hate being without him. Actually, I have looked into the idea of teaching at community colleges. And I think that could be the way out of all this. I have heard different things - that its great, the pay is good etc; and that its terrible, the teaching load is unbearable. How did your FI find it?

I will look into tutoring now. That might be exactly what I am looking for - a way of making my own money and keeping me in the job market, but not super stressful.

 

[Enerchi]

I would also imagine w a PhD, you could teach at community colleges or university level. Community colleges in Canada are different than 'colleges' in the US - I'm not sure what the difference is, but there is a difference.

I am in Ontario and taught at a community college for 2 years and I have no teaching credentials, just experience in the field I was asked to teach in.

Good luck with your move- sounds exciting...!!!

 

[TooPatient]

Thanks so much for your reply TooPatient. Yes, I am starting to think time apart would not be a good idea. I hate being without him. Actually, I have looked into the idea of teaching at community colleges. And I think that could be the way out of all this. I have heard different things - that its great, the pay is good etc; and that its terrible, the teaching load is unbearable. How did your FI find it?

I will look into tutoring now. That might be exactly what I am looking for - a way of making my own money and keeping me in the job market, but not super stressful.

It depends on where you are teaching. Just like any other job, a lot depends on who is running the place and who else works there.

The college I am attending is even different from department to department. Most of the people there love what they are doing and seem to really enjoy themselves. The people teaching there range from still in school (one that I know working on her PhD) to career teachers to people who worked in specialized fields (engineering, business, etc) to people who could easily retire but like it too much (one guy is probably 70+ and is comfortable enough financially to travel the world and still have money left to offer scholarships). The atmosphere is (generally) friendly and nice.
FI was at a technical school and the guy who ran that particular location was a bureaucratic PITA. There were a couple of favored instructors but all the rest were miserable and tended to stick around for only a couple of quarters.

Even some private schools (pre-school, elementary, middle, maybe high school) hire teachers based on experience (plus attaining a certain degree level -- sometimes bachelors sometimes masters) and don't require teaching certificates.

The tutoring is pretty big in my area. Lots of different centers. The place we take "A" has something like four experienced adult teachers and then fills in with student help (high school & college students).

 

[mousey]

Good luck with your move- sounds exciting...!!!

Exciting and also terrifying! I love the idea of living in Canada, but I know if we stayed here I could do my diploma, teach in a really nice school (the headmaster at a lovely school around the corner from our flat has implied he would give me a job), earning my own money and be in a position to have a baby in two years and still stay employed. But I want my husband to be happy.....

We don t know that he definitely has this job yet. But it would be a great opportunity for him. I suppose I am just venting my worries (thanks for listening). I want to be positive for him.

 

[mousey]

Even some private schools (pre-school, elementary, middle, maybe high school) hire teachers based on experience (plus attaining a certain degree level -- sometimes bachelors sometimes masters) and don't require teaching certificates.

I would love this, but my teaching experience is with undergrads. I would love to teach young children (5 - 8 yrs old). Thanks for your advice - its good to know that there are opportunities, if / when we go!

 

[PintoBean]

If you plan on having children, do a comparison of the maternity leave and other benefits.

I am currently working in NY, and 4 of my co-workers recently had babies, and the maternity leave is short with the max that my co-workers are staying home with maternity leave + vacation days being about 3 months. I heard that maternity leave in Canada is a year and you're paid up to a capped amount? If so, that sounds amazing!

 

[Cozystitches]

Hi everyone,

Are there any Canadian teachers out there? Or any others that could give me any advice. I feel more than a little lost.

I am not a Canadian teacher, however I do teach in the US. I will tell you that teaching is great and horrible at times. There are occasional 16hr work days (most being around 10-12hr). That being said, it is an awesome career. I would suggest maybe seeing if you can volunteer at a school at a few grade/age levels. This would give you some exposure as to what really goes on in the classroom vs our imagination. I would also, as others suggested, check out the tutoring in the area and the colleges. You may be able to get a provisional degree because of your PhD and take classes in Canada to fulfill the teaching requirement. Again I'm in the US and that is how things can work here, not sure how it transfers to Canada.

The other thing to remember is that if you are both teachers it is challenging with the hours, however it sounds like you both are used to working crazy long hours. I can totally understand not wanting to be separated from your dh, plus at this time with just the two of you it should be easier to pack up and move.

DH and I picked up and moved several times, the first time was without children and without work. It was WAY easier than when we repeated the process with DD1 and expecting DD2.

Good luck either way! Teaching is great (even with all the issues) and good teachers are hard to find.

 

[Enerchi]

Do you have an idea of which provinces/states you would be interested in living in? If you do, I'd suggest you google their provincial/state licensing requirements and that would tell you what educational requirements you need for that location.

I wonder if it may be better to go direct to a licensing/governing body, then you'll have accurate info for your specific location of interest. I'd hate to see you make a major life and career move based on inaccurate info!

 

[zoebartlett]

Do you have an idea of which provinces/states you would be interested in living in? If you do, I'd suggest you google their provincial/state licensing requirements and that would tell you what educational requirements you need for that location.

I'd recommend this as well, as different states (and most likely Canadian provinces) have different requirements. Some may require you to take a state teacher test, others won't. Most districts seek teachers who are highly qualified, and you'll need to show proof of your HQT status.

I'll be honest, getting into teaching right now, at least in my area of the US, is difficult. Because of the economy, there aren't a lot of open positions these days, and many districts are cutting back. I don't mean to dissuade you at all -- teaching is so rewarding, and there are many avenues to take, but it is difficult. It could be a different scenario in the area of the US you're considering, though. I'm not sure about job prospects in Canada. You could also apply to work as a substitute for various grade levels. That way you'd have some money coming in and you'll get experience working with kids of different ages. I'd suggest being open to K-8 rather than limiting your search to K-2 (which were the age ranges you mentioned previously). More opportunities could come your way and you might discover a love for a grade you hadn't considered before. You might also want to look at volunteer programs/opportunities in the education department of the school you're attending or will be attending. Several colleges have programs that send undergrad or grad students into schools to work with kids in literacy or math. This is a great experience and it's something you can add to your resume.

Good luck!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Besides the advice you've already been provided about specific credentials needed for teaching in specific Provinces, I'd also like to add that if you are intending to work here, you would likely need a "work" Visa. Not sure how easy that is to obtain/what that entails if you enter Canada without guaranteed employment.

Success to you and your DH.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Dreamer_D]

My advice? If your husband gets an academic job in canada move with him and play it by ear? Perhaps you can teach sessional classes at the same university if you have a PhD. You can explore becoming a teacher.

But -- do you have Canadian citizenship? You can't work in Canada without a work Visa and its hard to get one. If your husband has a tenure-track job you can get a visa through him and his University may help. But it takes about a year even then.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I'll be honest, getting into teaching right now, at least in my area of the US, is difficult. Because of the economy, there aren't a lot of open positions these days, and many districts are cutting back. I don't mean to dissuade you at all -- teaching is so rewarding, and there are many avenues to take, but it is difficult.

This is my understanding of the situation in Canada as well.

Honestly, you would have more luck doing sessional teaching and tutoring at the University level I think. There is presently a "glut" of new teachers for primary and high school in many provinces making it very difficult to find a job in those areas. In fact the teachers colleges are decreasing their enrollment caps in Ontario to try and decrease the number of unemployed graduates! But there are usually opportunities to teach sessionally at Universities each semester if you have a PhD and especially with experience.

 

[mousey]

Thanks everyone! I have looked into the regulations in the particular state we are thinking of moving to. And yup, I d have to do some extra credits, which would cost us quite a bit.

I have done some volunteering at my local school here, which I totally enjoyed. I know that teachers work hard, and I am not expecting an easy run of it (particularly in the first couple of years). But for me, I think it would be easier to put in the hours if I could see the good effect my work was having on the children I was teaching (rather than staring at an excel file).

I presumed that if my husband had a work visa sponsored by the University I would be eligible for a work visa too. Going off to research that now... Yikes! It seems more and more difficult. Its kind of depressing as I got along so well with all the children and teachers at the school I volunteered at, and it seemed the head was very positive on the idea of giving me a job after I got the teaching cert...

I guess the answer is to go there and see how it goes. Am I a bad wife for half wishing he doesn't get this job (and of course gets one here instead!!)?

 

[Scarlett1]

Hi Mousey,
I am from Ireland and I too went into teaching later in life.Have you looked into teacher training courses in Canada. Might be an option to do a training course there, and with your experience and qualifications, I'm sure they would be fighting to get you . If your DH gets the job, that would give you time to qualify before you had to move on. I am definitely no expert, and don't know anything about visas but if you were planning to study there could you get a student visa? I hope it all works out for you and I truly believe that "what's for you won't go by you" so if DH gets the job, it was meant to be iykwim. Good luck
Ps if you do end up teaching the 5-8 year olds, you will laugh everyday, I teach the 4-6's, best job ever

 

[imitcan]

Okay so here it goes: There is honor in all work and teaching has got to be up there in honorability. Which is why my heart goes out to the dozens of wonderful individuals I know who cannot get a permanent full time teaching position! I know brilliant people, young and old alike, with excellent qualifications, incredible work experience, and letters of referrals and recommendations galore who are stuck supply teaching for years on end. These lovely souls live in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Some are elementary school teachers and some are high school teachers.
Having said that, none of them have PhD's, but a couple have multiple undergrad degrees and some have Masters degrees as well. If you have qualifications in Music or French as a Second Language then finding permanent positions may be a little bit easier apparently.
One, in her mid-thirties, is now taking Business courses and hoping to get a (permanent) job in a bank. It is heart-breaking to know she is leaving the profession because she would be a gift to any student and asset to any school.
I'm not trying to be difficult but just telling you the reality, that teachers I know, are currently dealing with.
I wish you all the best with your career planning.
I would definitely make the move with my husband and not stay back though, if it were up to me. Canada and England are too far apart.

 

[aliceinwonderland]

Hi,

I am a Canadian teacher (Ontario specifically). I love my job, it's amazing. I will say though that attempting to get a job in Canada where the pay is very good and the benefits are excellent is unbelievably difficult. You WILL be expected to supply teach likely for years unless you have French or are going to a remote location. At this point I actively discourage people from going into teaching as the job prospects are very competitive and for most people they struggle for years and often leave the profession. I also think you need to VERY seriously examine what it means to be a teacher by doing some volunteer work as your love of teaching adults will be very different from teaching children. It is a very political profession and there will be many times where you will go home and cry because there are not enough resources to 'make a difference' for somebody who is struggling. Teaching is like parenting, it's like having your heart walk around outside your body at times. I love my job and I would NEVER consider another profession and it's more than my job, it's part of me. If that didn't scare you off then great, welcome!

Alice

 

[kmarla]

Aliceinwonderland has said it very well in terms of teaching opportunities in Ontario at the moment. The current ratio of B.Ed graduates to teaching positions is approx 2:1, meaning 50 percent or more of recent grads are unable to obtain employment. Those that do work in the field often spend years doing supply teaching before obtaining a permanent position. All current graduating Ontario teachers have minimum of Bachelors Degree and B.Ed, and these are also minimum requirements to supply teach except perhaps in very remote regions. Being accepted into the B.Ed program at university is very competitive with academics being only part of the focus. I would highly recommend that you look for opportunities to work with children or volunteer in as many capacities as you can as universities give that extreme importance. Ontario universities are now reducing the numer of placements in their programs and I understand that the B.Ed program is being extended to 2 years. I just recently stopped teaching and I absolutely loved it and miss it. There are so many rewards to working with children and there can be many different challenges too. Your work, both practical and emotional often comes home with you! I admire you for considering teaching and wish you the best of luck whatever you decide!