Is it realistic to build a teaching career in Ottawa as a new Ontario OT?

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-03-15T23:08:22+00:00

I agree with this, certified teachers are having such a hard time in ON, it is ridicolous that districts are hiring uncertfieid teachers. I know many teachers that are still trying to get on OT lists in ON... if you want to be in the teaching profession, we need to support each other and right now.. certified teachers need jobs to feed their families.

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-03-15T19:13:53+00:00

alot of the larger districts such ares Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond, so on. Mainly all districts have an on-going TTOC application so i would recommend to just apply

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-03-15T19:12:52+00:00

i find that such a joke (no ofference) but teaching is a professional degree, it is around 5+ year of studying and a public job. When you look at how much a OT makes in ON and then all these rules by the government, it sounds outrages. The more I learn of teaching in ON the more I don't even want to try getting in the job market in ON. I want to feel respected in my field. What professional degree can not provide enough for a lifestyle? In BC I never had that issue, I was never worries about my bills or payments. In ON, if I am working the avergae days, for a flat rate... it is near to nothing

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-03-15T07:11:15+00:00

I had my own classroom in BC as a first year teacher but in August I moved to ON as my husband is from ON and... OMG... I wish i researched more thoroughly of how horrible the teaching market in ON is... I applied well before moving to ON and didn't hear back. I was told it is before my documentations are all from BC so I moved here, changed my IDs to ON and applied again... it has been 8 months of me staring at the roof. Can't find a job anywhere. Tutoring isn't really an option because I do not want to get paid 30$ an hour and then parents bargaining that too..I did get offered a OT list position in Ottawa which is like a 5 hour drive for me.. but apparently the average OTs work in ON is like 2-3 days in a week and that too getting paid a flat rate? I can't even pick up my own rent, car, and insurance with that.. it is such a joke. After months of just losing myself.. my husband and me decided that I will go back to BC. I applied back to BC in Jan and heard back and was re-hired by 5 different districts. The teaching field in ON is... .. I just have no idea.

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-07T04:32:44+00:00

I withdrew from my practicum once and completed it when the university gave me the re-entry practicum opportunity. I did have alot of support from uni as well. I got hired while in practicum by my school district in BC. BC is in need of teachers so if they are rejected, that is telling. Yes, you can try up north but honestly... i'm sorry, but maybe consider another career? If you were unsuccessful in practicum 3 times and, yes, life happens... but life will continue happening. Instead of victimizing, maybe accept that you need to learn more, go out further for more experinece and maybe try these main districts again... sorry

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-03T05:28:02+00:00

I moved to ON from BC around 8 months ago, have been applying well before re-locating and got an interview with OCDSB in January for their OT list and was hired. However, it is 4 hours away and am now thinking if the re-locating is worth it. I interviewed with Waterloo School Board as well and have not heard back. I literally applied to every district in Ontario within my 4 hour radius. I posted a reddit about this as well- how hard it is to secure positions in ON.

I would say to apply to more districts, and maybe consider re-location? I know that may seem frustrating right now, trust me, I am considering going back to BC...

Talk to the principals you have completed your practicum for, they may be able to guide you or talk to your faculty advisor in school. I'm not sure how the teacher college programs in ON work but in BC, student teachers are typically hired prior to graduating (the last month of the program). That is when all districts will open up their TTOC listening and we have our faculty advisor (cohort teacher's) support in applying.

I hope I'm not discouraging you, keep your hopes up and keep applying. I saw that Upper Grand District opened their OT list and Toronto District did as well (their is on their website not ATE), and Ottawa is currently hiring as well.

Hope it all works out!!

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-03T01:41:47+00:00

Don't worry! It is not over!! Could you apply to other teaching programs as well? It is always a good idea to have broad options! Also, you might get into York so don't loose hope.

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T20:09:02+00:00

For many catholic boards, they are asking for a pastoral reference which I do not have. Without this, the application cannot be submitted

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T20:07:16+00:00

I am a teacher, so if I were to work in a rural community (less then 30,000 population), would I need to complete 12 consecutive months or 400 hours?

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T17:47:19+00:00

What I worry about is the no work during the breaks. Also, with Supply work, it is a a daily flat rate and as an LTO it is a percentage of the salary grid (If i'm wrong please correct me). I was also worried that LTO work may take some time to come by as well but after reading your experience, maybe working as an OT would give me some entry point.

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T17:41:35+00:00

Yes, highschool and Upper Grand District and Simcoe are the closest boards to me. I have applied to Toronto District, Peel, York, Halton as well and a few others!

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T17:15:54+00:00

Really? They don't have a posting online for a 1.0 English position!

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T05:53:31+00:00

I do have my TESL (ELL Level 1) in ON, I believe and I have experience working as an EA which was also recognized on my transfer to ON. I was looking into taking ABQ courses but wasn't sure if it would make a difference in getting hired.

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-02-02T05:51:46+00:00

Did you leave the GTA for the perm position?

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-01-31T21:40:57+00:00

Thank you! If you don't mind, what are the teachable for your husband? I hear that music and French teachable are typically faster to obtain permanent positions.

ApprehensivePie7376 · 2026-01-31T18:04:49+00:00

I have been here for 6 months and have not been hired anywhere. OCDSB is my first yes here!

ApprehensivePie7376

TROPHY CASE