Frequently Wondered Questions: A Journey Towards Being an OCT

Frequently Wondered Questions: A Journey Towards Being an OCT 

This blog is inspired by my journey from being a B.El.Ed.(Bachelor of Elementary Education) graduate in India to an OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) certified Elementary teacher in Canada.

I draw this analogy of a 'journey' for many reasons. Be it the uphill and downhill 'roads' that I had to traverse as a newcomer teacher, or the long wait to reach my 'destination'; with plenty of re-routing, delays and detours or the lack of any 'GPS' to auto-direct me. However, I had been persistent and resilient. And here I am... Finally, working and being valued as an Elementary teacher in Canada.

I write this as a brief guide to those in similar shoes as mine and as new immigrants who want answers to some basic, even lame questions about the equivalence or the process for obtaining a teaching license/ certificate in Canada. I plan to do this in the form of Frequently 'Wondered' Questions (FWQs) 😁. Some of these questions are the ones that went through my mind but either I took too long to figure them out or got inconclusive answers! For instance, as a new applicant who was trying to network, I was told by this teacher practicing in one of the Ontario public schools that my B. El. Ed. degree would not be valid at all and that I may have to do Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) course from Canada. (I don't blame her. She may not have heard about my degree course before that!) 

The following 'FWQs' and their answers are from my personal experience and research. The readers in search of conclusive answers are encouraged to visit official websites of licensing organizations.

Let's delve into the details!

FWQs

#1 Can I teach in Canada with just my teaching qualifications and experience from my home country? 

Answer: 

Before answering this question, I want to share what I assumed was the teaching job process like before knowing the system. (a) Prepare a resume and have teaching experience. (b) Apply online to a school's website or official e-mail ID. (c) Grab and then, ace the interview. (d) Get hired and start your role as a teacher in Canada. 

So, to directly answer the main question, NO. You cannot start teaching directly in this country with he above idea. Unlike processes in many other countries, teaching is a regulated profession that you, in a way, need 'clearance' to practice. A few private schools may give you an opportunity, if you are lucky. However, they might still want to see that you have registered with the licensing authority and awaiting certification. 

#2 Do I need a certificate or a license to be able to teach in Canada? 

Answer: 

Yes. To be able to teach in publicly funded schools or independent schools, you will need a certificate or license to teach which is issued by the provincial or territorial governments where you intend to live and/or work. 

Click here for more information

#3 Where do I apply for this license?

Answer:

 The best place to find information is your preferred province's official licensing authority (mostly known as College of Teachers).

For example, for the province of Ontario, it is the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Explore here

For British Columbia, it is the Ministry of Education's Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) Check yourself here

And so on...

#4 Is there a qualifying exam that I need to clear for a teaching license?

Answer:

 Speaking for Ontario, as of date, there is NO MAIN ENTRANCE/ QUALIFYING EXAM. 😌 However, be prepared for submitting a host of documents like official academic transcripts, identification documents, lengthy detailed application forms and undertaking the free, online Sexual Abuse Prevention Program. As of date, the Maths Proficiency Test (MPT) is no longer mandatory to acquire certification or to fulfil a condition. 

#5 Is there a fee for getting certified?

Answer:

 Yes. There will be a membership and a registration fee which you will have to pay at the time of submitting your application. This combined fee would be more than the fee you would be expected to pay annually AFTER obtaining Certification.  As of date, the annual membership fee for OCT is $170 due on January 1 each year.  Check OCT's Fee Page here. Current fees across the provinces and territories may vary. You are encouraged to visit the official website for details.

#6 Do I pay membership fees even though I am an applicant and not a member yet?

Answer: 

At OCT, I was told, "Yes."  Your first fee is spent towards your registration and covers you till the time you get membership (and that calendar year-end), or until they state why you can't be certified (yet)!

#7 Can I fail the Certification?

Answer:

 No. Since the Certification in itself is not an exam, there is no passing/failing it. However, there are chances that you get different kinds of certification: (i)Unconditional Certificate of Qualification (You get a fully functional license without any conditions or courses to complete)

(ii) Certificate of Qualification with terms, conditions or limitations (You may have some pending qualifying factors to complete or

(iii) Transitional Certificate of Qualification (For candidates who are still completing their teaching program).

Note: Different regulatory bodies may call these certificates by different names.

#8 Once certified, do I have to pay fees every year?

Answer:

 Yes, you will need to continue paying the membership fees every year (which might look different from your application-cum-membership fees) to maintain your good standing with the College. 

#9 What is a 'Statement of Good Standing?

Answer:

 'Good Standing' signifies that the member has registered with the College, has paid the annual membership fee and has a valid certificate for that calendar year. The member is authorized to teach in (publicly funded) schools in the specific province while maintaining good standing. So basically, it is a written statement on your teacher's profile that you are 'good' to practice in the province. 

#10 What is a 'Statement of Professional Standing' then? 😵

Answer:

 A statement of Professional Standing is a letter from a licensing body or an education ministry that says your right*to teach has never been suspended, revoked or cancelled. This statement provides the College with information regarding your past professional practice as a teacher. 

Now, in the case of some Internationally Educated Teachers like me whose home country doesn't have a central licensing body; it is the Principal of one's last worked school who issues this statement on the letter head of the school citing the above*. The framework (specific details like position held, subjects taught, duration of tenure etc.) for such a statement is outlined in the appropriate segment on the website. It is usually expected to be sent directly from the school to the (Teacher's) 'College'. 

To summarize and clarify the confusion 😬, the ' Statement of Professional Standing' is different from the 'Statement of Good Standing'. 

#11 What are 'Transcripts'? How do I obtain them?

Answer: 

Now, having been a university student back home for so many years, this request for transcripts from OCT was puzzling! We students had only been concerned with two documents. One, the end of the course Marksheet and second, the awarded Degree Certificate. So, what were these 'transcripts'?

 Now, these transcripts required by the Teacher's College are basically a detailed document outlining the details of the course you undertook. For example, the name and duration of the course, the date on which the degree was awarded, the hours of study covered, seal of the registrar among other details.  

Click here for details about the OCT-required Transcripts

It is usually expected to be sent directly from the University to the (Teacher's) 'College'. And all undertaken, relevant courses from different institutions will require as many transcripts.

#12 Where do I get the Proof of Language Proficiency? What documents will work for me?

Answer:

OCT outlines a detailed list of sources from where your English or French language proficiency can be proved. In my case, I had a few options to use as proof: 

(i) A letter from my institution from where I pursued my Teacher Education.

(ii) My course transcript that mentioned that I had undertaken the course in English.

(iii) IELTS (Academic) Score [In case you have to choose this option, apply NOW, before you even proceed for the Certification formalities. Getting IELTS or TOEFL certificate could probably be the longest process in this whole 'journey'!]

                                                                    

I hope that some of these questions have been helpful to my readers. If they were, I would love to hear your experiences and feedback as comments. I am always open to constructive criticism and whole-hearted praise! 

If you benefitted from this blog, please feel free to forward the same to other applicants or newcomer teachers to Canada. 

             ~Kindness has an amazing property of being contagious! ~