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Educator, High School Teacher, Instructor, Junior High School Teacher, Music Teacher, Physical Education Teacher, School Teacher, Teacher
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $36.27 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $50.23 |
| Top | $65.44 |
Interest in participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops; may advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters
Interest in co-ordinating information to prepare materials for academic, technical, vocational and specialized subjects and examinations, and to prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
Interest in instructing students using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies; and in assigning and correcting homework, and administering and correcting examinations; may supervise student teachers
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
In general, secondary school teachers:
Secondary classes vary in size and are made up of students who represent a broad range of abilities, interests, needs and diversities. Teachers use various instructional techniques to engage students and maximize individual learning within a group teaching environment.
In addition to preparing and presenting lessons, secondary school teachers:
Most of these additional duties occur after regular school hours and add considerable time to the working day. Some teaching specializations may concentrate on preparation and organization, while others may involve more marking or extracurricular involvement.
Secondary teachers in large urban schools often teach many classes in only 1 or 2 subject areas. In smaller rural schools and schools with a generalist approach, secondary teachers are required to teach a broader range of subjects and grades.
Academic specialists teach core courses such as English language arts and math. They prepare and present academic course content in a clear and creative way by using techniques and materials designed to motivate students. Their duties also may include:
In addition to second languages taught as specific subjects, many schools offer language immersion programs at various levels. Bilingual and multilingual teachers may teach academic subjects in languages other than English.
English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL) teachers work with immigrant children whose English skills are insufficient for the regular classroom. The objective of an ESL or ELL program is to integrate students into mainstream classes by:
Fine arts teachers usually are artists or performers in their own fields. For more information, see the Dancer, Instrumental Musician, Painter or Printmaker, Singer and Sculptor occupational profiles.
Career and technology studies teachers usually are specialists in their fields. For more information, see the Career and Technology Studies Teacher occupational profile.
Physical education teachers work toward enhancing the physical fitness and motor skill development of their students through recreational activities such as:
Secondary teachers spend most of their working day instructing classes. They may teach 150 or more students a day. The work can be demanding, requiring a great deal of physical, mental and emotional energy. Many hours are spent out of class working with individual students, preparing lessons and marking assignments.
Most secondary schools are well-equipped, attractive facilities with up-to-date audiovisual, language laboratory, computer and scientific equipment.
Secondary school teachers need:
They should enjoy finding different ways to solve questions and present information, and organizing and coordinating the work of others.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 11 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 20, 2020 and Apr 14, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Prepare subject material for presentation according to an approved curriculum | 11 |
|---|---|
| Assign and correct homework | 10 |
| Prepare, administer and correct tests | 9 |
| Teach students through lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations and laboratory, shop and field studies | 8 |
| Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops | 8 |
| Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials | 8 |
| Provide tutoring assistance | 7 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 7 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 7 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 7 |
In Alberta, the minimum qualification required to teach in a secondary school is 4 years of post-secondary education leading to a bachelor of education (B.Ed.) degree.
Secondary education students in B.Ed. programs must choose at least 2 subject areas of concentration. Teaching particular subjects at the high school level may require specific courses. For example, post-secondary courses in geography are required to teach social studies.
Admission can be competitive and universities may give preference to those who have experience working with children in a leadership capacity. Valuable experience can be obtained from:
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
In Alberta, teachers in the K to 12 system work at the elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 6), junior high (Grades 7 to 9), or high school (Grades 10 to 12) levels. Elementary and junior high teachers are typically generalists. However, it is preferred that high school teachers have subject area expertise.
Under Alberta’s Education Act [pdf] and Certification of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation [pdf], school teachers must be certificated by the Government of Alberta.
Minimum requirements for an interim professional certificate are:
Requirements for a permanent professional certificate are:
For detailed official information including coursework requirements for teachers in the K to 12 system, visit the Government of Alberta website.
Individuals who hold a valid teaching certificate from another Canadian jurisdiction are eligible for certification in Alberta without additional training or examination. Evidence of language proficiency may be required. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the Government of Alberta website.
The Registrar at Alberta Education
Government of Alberta
2nd Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard Building
10044 – 108 St
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6
Phone: 780-427-2045
Toll-free within Alberta: 310-0000, then 780-427-2045
Fax: 780-422-4199
Email: teacher.certification@gov.ab.ca
Website: www.alberta.ca/teacher-certification.aspx
Secondary teachers are employed in:
With experience and further education, secondary school teachers may advance to positions such as:
In Alberta, most people employed as secondary school teachers work in the Educational Services [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4031: Secondary school teachers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 290 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
In large urban centres, the supply of secondary school teachers generally is greater than the demand. To find employment, beginning teachers may:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Since teachers’ salaries and benefits are determined by negotiated agreements between school boards and their teachers, salaries vary from one board to another. However, all teachers are paid according to a grid system based on their number of years of university training and their number of years of teaching experience.
All teachers employed in Alberta’s publicly supported schools are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and are automatically included under the Alberta Teachers Pension Plans Act. Holidays and pensions are specified by provincial legislation. However, teachers often use the spring, summer or Christmas break periods for professional development or for fulfilling additional professional responsibilities.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $19.02 | $49.21 | $36.27 | $33.20 |
| Overall | $35.45 | $103.44 | $50.23 | $47.53 |
| Top | $46.62 | $103.44 | $65.44 | $58.50 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $88,114 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $78,700 |
| Educational Services | $78,681 |
Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.