Elementary School Teacher
Information you need to know to work as an Elementary School Teacher
Who is the regulatory body responsible for certifying Elementary School Teachers in Alberta?
In Alberta, the Teacher Certification Branch of the Teaching & Leadership Excellence Sector of Alberta Education is responsible for the evaluation of credentials and issuance of certification for teachers in Alberta.
What are the registration requirements for internationally educated Elementary School Teachers?
Internationally educated Elementary School Teachers must have a minimum of sixteen years of schooling, including four years of university education and a recognized degree that includes, or is supplemented with a structured, pre-service teacher preparation program from an institution acceptable to the Minister of Education. Degrees are assessed on a course by course basis and the program must include a minimum of 48 semester credit hours (1 and 3/5 years) in professional teacher education coursework, inclusive of a minimum of ten weeks in supervised student teaching at the elementary or secondary level. To become registered, internationally educated Elementary School Teachers must:
- Have their education and credentials assessed Alberta Education as outlined in the Initial Teacher Certification Process.
- Complete assigned coursework and/or supervised student teaching.
Elementary teachers are required to present a minimum of 24 semester credit hours in academic coursework including:
- 3 semester credit hours in Canadian Studies, Mathematics, and Science
- 6 semester credit hours in English/French Literature and Composition
To view complete information on the registration requirements and process and to create a profile, visit the TWINS (Teaching Workforce Information Service) site.
What are the educational requirements for Elementary School Teachers in Alberta?
Note: Regulatory bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards.
The minimum qualification required to teach in an elementary school is four years of post-secondary education leading to a bachelor of education (B.Ed.) degree.
The following post-secondary institutions offer B.Ed. degree programs in elementary education:
- Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta
- Concordia University of Edmonton in Edmonton
- Grande Prairie Regional College in Grande Prairie
- King's University College in Edmonton
- St. Mary's University College in Calgary
- Red Deer College in Red Deer
- University of Alberta in Edmonton
- University of Calgary in Calgary
- University of Lethbridge in Lethbridge
Who is responsible for hiring teachers in Alberta?
Alberta’s public education system includes Public, Separate, Francophone and Charter schools, as well as alternative programs and virtual programs offered by school boards and home education. Alberta First Nations, Métis and Inuit schools follow the Alberta Programs of Study. All school types, including accredited private schools, employ teachers with Alberta teaching certificates.
Public and Separate school boards operate the basic education system in the province – the universal system accessible to everyone. School boards are responsible for the hiring and placement of teachers. For a list of schools and school boards, visit the Authorities and Schools Directory.
What training programs or services are available for internationally educated Teachers?
The following institutions offer bridging programs for internationally educated Teachers:
- The University of Calgary offers a Bridge to Teaching Accreditation Program for Internationally-Trained Teachers.
- The University of Alberta offers the Internationally Educated Teachers Bridging Program.
Both programs require a letter of assessment completed by the Teacher Certification Branch.
What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?
Applicants must successfully achieve the required passing score on one of the Alberta Education approved English Language Tests. The only tests accepted for evidence of language proficiency are the TOEFL-iBT and the IELTS- Academic Test.
|
Speaking |
Writing |
Listening |
Reading |
|
|
TOEFL-iBT |
27 |
25 |
23 |
23 |
|
IELTS-Academic |
7 |
7 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.
What supports are available to support internationally educated Elementary School Teachers to integrate into the Canadian labour force?
Directions for Immigrants offers workplace communication groups to help you integrate into the Canadian work environment. The Clear Communication for Business workplace communication group is designed to help internationally educated professional fine-tune their communication skills with colleagues, supervisors, and clients. In one week, you will learn through role-play and scenarios the nuances and expectations of the Canadian business culture. Topics include active listening, assertiveness, conflict resolution, problem solving, and teamwork. Visit Clear Communication for Business for more information.
What information resources are available for Teachers in Alberta?
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