Teaching can be an utterly rewarding job for persons who love children and have qualities such as organizational skills, passion for teaching, ability to collaborate, and a lot of humanity.
Educational Level Required
After high school you need to complete a Bachelor of Education degree, which is a four year program. You will have to choose two or more subject areas of concentration. There may be other requirements as well, which depends on where you live (your territory or province). Universities usually offer student teaching and other types of fieldwork.
Salaries
Salaries vary depending on experience, province or territory of residence, and other factors. The highest average salary is in Alberta, sitting at $58,000. Salaries range from about $41,000 to over $114,000 at both ends of the spectrum. The lowest minimum salary is in Quebec ($41,451) and the highest minimum salary is in the Northwest Territories ($77,993).
Career Opportunities
There are different career paths to pursue if you are a recent college graduate. You can become a primary or secondary school teacher, higher education lecturer, learning mentor, special educational needs teacher, or further education lecturer. There are other career paths to follow – you can become environmental education officer, English as a foreign language teacher, educational psychologist, education administrator, or early years teacher. Another option is to become a private music teacher.
Financing Your Education
TD credit cards are generally accepted at most U.S. merchants. They usually offer better customer service and travel benefits than a standard credit card, but you’re limited to one per cardholder and there are annual fees. To get the most out of a credit card, maximize the benefits you receive. Many cards offer cash-back rewards, discounts on gas, flights, hotels, and other purchases, and some allow you to earn airline miles by making purchases with your card. Credit cards can also be used for their cash value — if you pay your balance off in full every month.
If you don’t get a full scholarship, then you need to think of other sources of financing to cover tuition and board and other school-related expenses. There are hundreds of scholarships and grants to check first, the latter of which are based on financial need. Student loans for teachers are another option to explore. The Canada Student Loan Program (http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/index.shtml) is your first stop when shopping around for different financing options. Government guaranteed loans go with lower interest charges and will save you a lot of money compared to loans by private lenders. Note that the program does not cover the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec as they maintain their own programs. Territorial grants and student loans are offered to permanent residents of Yukon. When it comes to applying for financial assistance, you are asked to fill in an application form, either in paper or online and then wait for your notice of assessment. Part-time students may receive an Agreement for Part-Time Student or Certificate of Eligibility (for grants and student loans). Full-time students are usually sent a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement. Note that this is a legally binding agreement, and it is important to have a good look before you sign. It is also a multi-year agreement meaning that you don’t have to submit a new application and agreement each year you apply for financial assistance. However, you must be enrolled full-time to be eligible to receive grant or loan money.
It is important to choose a financing option with reasonable charges because you may end up paying tons of money in finance charges. Students leave college with an average debt of about $22,700. One alternative to government financing is to apply for a student loan by a financial establishment such as a credit union, major bank, or another finance provider. One of the main differences between private and government sponsored student loans is in the way they charge interest. Private loans usually go with a variable rate that changes with interest rate fluctuations. Another difference is that loans by private finance providers have more stringent requirements. Government loans are more flexible, and there are different programs and forms of assistance for those who are unable to keep up with payments. Other financial solutions include credit cards, lines of credit, and consumer loans.