Tips If Considering Teaching

Requirements:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree with an overall GPA of at least 70% (B -).
• Several institutions also require that certain courses be taken (called ‘teachables’ or ‘teaching subjects’) in an area of study. Visit the Teaching Education Application Service (TEAS) site for each institution’s specific criteria.
• A referee (academic or professional reference) and a statement of experience are required.
• Volunteer or work experience is a requirement. The longer and more involved your experiences, the better.
• Skills which the faculties will be looking for include: Leadership, Teaching/Training, Programming/Curriculum Development, Commitment, Experience with Children or Youth, Organization, Communication, Teamwork, Adaptability, Creativity, Initiative, Diversity and Equity.

The Application Process:

• The Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) operates the applications for the Ontario Faculties of Education. The deadline is usually December 1st, the year before you plan on attending. For teaching programs outside of Ontario you must contact each school directly to get their application package and deadlines.
• Follow the application procedure outlined; ensure you meet all the requirements and submit all that is required, and keep on top of any deadline dates!

Program Information:

• There are three levels of teacher training: primary-junior (junior kindergarten to grade 6), junior-intermediate (grade 4 to grade 10) and intermediate-senior (grade 7 to grade 12). Regardless of the level of training you are considering, the courses last for one full academic year in Ontario and two years in some western and eastern schools.
• Courses may involve childhood education, evaluation and marking, communication and problem-solving skills, and ‘refreshers’ on many grade school courses.
• All programs will have at least one teaching practicum requirement where you will have the opportunity to shadow a teacher and their class gradually taking over some of the teaching responsibilities.

Hints:

• Try to get to know a professor in a course that you are doing well in and enjoy attending. This way they can write a more personable letter, rather than just stating your grades and attendance record.
• Your statement of experience has to be in-depth. For the initial application process, this is the primary way that the institutions learn what type of person you are. Do not submit a vague or poorly worded letter as they may get a negative first impression and reject your application.
• Different institutions may require different written formats, highlighting specific areas of your experience.
• Aside from the teachables that each institution requires, any program may be taken! It is best to make sure it is one that you enjoy, can do well in and meets all the prerequisites for each faculty.

Guidelines for Creating an Effective Statement of Experience for Teaching

Preparation:

1. Research the institution – Questions to consider:

• What are the criteria for acceptance?
• What are the values of the program and institution?

2. Conduct self-reflection:

• What motivates you to apply to this institution?
• What are your interests, skills, and goals?
• How do your personal goals match with the institution and program?

Considerations for Writing Your Statement:

1. Follow directions on each application process:

• Read each question carefully and make sure you answer each one;
• Customize each statement to reflect your research and interest in that particular program;
• Do not send generic personal statements. Make yourself stand out from the crowd!
• Follow required format and word limits.

2. Tone: be genuine, realistic, unique, excited and anecdotal:

• How does this program or school fit you and your long-term goals? Demonstrate interest and motivation;
• Emphasize what is unique about you (i.e., classes, projects, and events that stand out related to your goals);
• Demonstrate that you have a realistic sense of the profession and the training required;
• Talk about how you expect to contribute to the field.

3. Be creative while enhancing your assets:

• Find ways to carefully balance passion and anecdotes, with marketing and practical information;
• Make your opening statement and first paragraph eye-catching;
• Be creative, but not gimmicky or corny;
• Avoid meaningless phrases such as “I’ve always wanted to…” or “I like to help people”;
• Make sure you indicate clear professional goals.

4. Match your experiences to the skills:

• Each Faculty of Education will give you an idea of what they are looking for in their Statement of Experience; match your experiences to them;
• You will be scored on how you meet the requirements of the personal statement. Some schools weigh the personal statement 50/50 with marks others 60/40 and others not at all; Check with each school and be aware of the weight assigned by each faculty.

After Creating Your Draft:

Get your draft critiqued:

• Get lots of objective feedback from peers, professors, Career Services, writing labs, and other qualified sources;
• Are you communicating what you wish to say?
• Does it look professional and well written? Look at grammar, flow, segues, font size, aesthetics, spelling and format.

*Note: Career Services can help with the review and/or editing of statements of experience for teacher’s college applications. Once your personal statement is written, you may book your appointment with a Career Consultant using mySuccess, accessible via Carleton Central.

Helpful Links:

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation: http://osstf.on.ca/

OUAC -TEAS Main Page: https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/teas-guide/

Ontario College of Teachers: http://www.oct.ca/home.aspx

Ministry of Education: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-education