Teacher's College...What A Pain!

You're finished your undergraduate degree and you're ready to move on to teacher's college to pursue your passion for teaching. However, there's a little problemo! Yes, you find out that it's incredibly difficult to get your foot in the door (especially in Ontario). Not only does your grade point average need to be fantastic, but you also need to have tons of experience, and in most cases write an essay explaining to the college why you are the right candidate for the position. Furthermore, you soon find out that after jumping through all of these hoops the college only accepts 180 applications out of an estimated 5000 that they received...yikes. Now, if you are or were anything like me, by now you're having a complete panic attic. Teaching is the only occupation that you picture yourself in, it's your passion, vocation, dream...what on earth are you going to do if you don't get in?

My advice to you is keep your head held high, apply, put your best foot forward within your essay and any interviews that you may have, and then seriously hope for the best. I really wish that I had better advice for you but this is truly your only option. Now, if you are applying in Ontario and you truly feel that your chances of getting accepted are thin, there is the option of applying to the U.S. Many Ontario teachers are now graduating from teacher's colleges that are just over the boarder in Buffalo, New York. However, be prepared for this route to cost you A LOT more money.

I myself do not have any experience with an American teacher's college. However, I do know that in addition to the added cost, you can enter through and ongoing enrollment at any point within the year, you can also expect to graduate sooner, and the courses are more flexible. I have heard some people refer to this route as a "Puppy Mill For Teachers". The intention is not quality of education but to get your money and move you on and out as quickly as possible. Some people have also suggested that graduating from an American college and then trying to find a job in Canada can be difficult. It is partly assumed that this could be due to the assumption that you went to the states because you weren't "good enough" to get into a Canadian teacher's college. However, I know many individuals who have gone on to have VERY successful teaching careers in Canada after graduation from the U.S.

After finally going through the application process, you succeed! You're in! You're on your way to fulfilling your dream to becoming a teacher! Now, you have to endure teacher's college. For some this experience may be exciting, and for others it may be very painful. This is the discussion that will occur in my next blog...see you there!