Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

of the University of Toronto



Advance Planning Guide

for

High School Students

Interested in Teaching

at the

Elementary or

Secondary School Level





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In this Section:

  • Why Teaching?
  • How Do You Become a Teacher?
  • What Secondary School Backgound is Required?
  • What University Backgound is Required?
  • What Experience Background is Helpful?
  • Undergraduate Programs at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers
  • Some Courses at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers
  • Your Next Step
  •  

     

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    Why Teaching?

    Becoming a teacher gives you the chance to make a difference in someone's life and to contribute to your community. As a teacher you will be part of a profession which is respected world wide, and you will have an opportunity for life long learning and growth. As well, the education and experience gained from teaching is useful in a wide variety of careers for which teaching skills and proficiency in communication skills are required.

     

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    How Do You Become an Elementary or Secondary School Teacher?

    High school students who want to become elementary or secondary school teachers in Ontario should follow the basic steps listed below:

    1) Complete a Bachelor's Degree (preferably a four-year degree) with at least an overall "B" range average in 15 full courses or equivalent half courses.

    2) Accumulate experience while studying for your degree, working with groups of people on a regular basis at the age level you wish to teach.

    3) Complete a teacher education program. There are three programs at OISE/UT that lead to teacher certification:

    This document focuses on the Bachelor of Education Degree Program in General Studies. Specific information on programs in Technological Studies and in Child Study and Education can be obtained from the respective addresses at the end of this document.

     

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    What Secondary School Background is Required?

    Aside from meeting the general admission requirements for your undergraduate degree program, which include Grade 13/advanced credit English, no specific subjects are required.
    Courses in art or music or drama may be of assistance if you wish to teach elementary school.
    Be sure to think about which grade levels and subjects you might want to teach. This will help you to decide what you want to study at University.

     

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    What University Subject Background is Required?

     

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    What Experience Background is Helpful?

    You should try, as early as possible, to obtain some experience working with groups of children or adolescents and exceptional children in the following ways:


    These experiences will help you to decide if teaching is a good career choice for you, and will also give you some of the experiences which you will need to do it well. Suitable experience is an important factor in your admission to OISE/UT therefore you should keep a log or a diary of what you do.

     

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    Undergraduate Programs at The University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers

    ERINDALE COLLEGE (Faculty of Arts and Science)

    This four year undergraduate degree Specialist program in Exceptionality is recommended for those who want to teach at the elementary level.



    SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE

    This four year undergraduate degree program in the Physical Sciences and in French Language is recommended for those who want to teach Science or French at the elementary or secondary level.

     

     

    FACULTY OF MUSIC

    This four year undergraduate degree program in music education is recommended for those who want to teach Music at the elementary or secondary level.

     

    SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

    This four year undergraduate degree program is of interest to those who want to teach Physical Education at the elementary or secondary level.

    The previous list is for general information only. For official program descriptions and application information, please consult the calendars of the divisions concerned.

     

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    Some Courses at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers

    You should discuss your undergraduate program with your College Registrar.

    *This is only one of a number of relevant Psychology courses.

     

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    Your Next Step

    This pamphlet has provided an overview of the steps to becoming a teacher. More detailed information is available to help you plan for a future application. Contact information for the Bachelor of Education Degree Program, the Diploma in Technical Education Program, and the M.A. in Child Study and Education Program is listed below. Since the first step, for most people, is to complete an undergraduate university degree, contact information for the undergraduate admissions office of the University of Toronto is also listed.

     

    More information about the Bachelor of Education Degree Program or the Diploma in Technical Education Program can be found by following the links at the bottom of this page into the Initial Teacher Education Admissions web-site. You may also contact:

    OISE/UT
    Registrar's Office
    Initial Teacher Education Programs
    Admissions Unit,
    252 Bloor Street West Room 4-455
    Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6
     
    Telephone: 416-926-4701
    Fax: 416-923-7834
     
    E-mail: admissions@oise.utoronto.ca


    More information about the M.A. in Child Study and Education Program can be found by visiting the online OISE/UT Graduate Studies Bulletin (calendar). You can also contact:

    OISE/UT
    Institute of Child Study
    Program Secretary
    45 Walmer Road
    Toronto, Ontario M5S 2X2
    telephone 416- 978-3457
    fax: 416- 978-6485
     
     

     

    More information about admission to undergraduate programs at the University of Toronto can be found by visiting the Admissions site off of the main University of Toronto homepage. You can also contact:

    Admissions and Awards
    University of Toronto
    315 Bloor Street West
    Toronto, Ontario
    M5S 1A3
     
    Telephone: 416-978-2190
     
    E-mail: ask@adm.utoronto.ca

     

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