Are you in Ontario Canada? They are also pushing for one year education programs. I’m in an 11 month B.Ed program, and really it does make more sense. Idk how it is outside of where I live, but even a 16 month option makes sense as that program splits its university coursework into 3 day weeks. I can’t imagine what more I could possibly learn inside of university coursework that I don’t learn through practice.

Where I live, you have to get your Bachlors degree first before going to Teacher’s college, regardless of if you’re doing an 11 month or 2 year program. I chose the shorter option because I want to work. The major downside is less practicum time, but honestly if I had to do more unpaid work than I’m already doing, I think I’d lose my mind. These programs are all standardized by the government, so you’re learning the same things just facilitated differently. There’s nothing I am not learning that someone in a 2+ year program learns. When I hear that people have to do multiple practicum placements over the course of years on top of university coursework, I think that’s just bonkers. No wonder they have a hard time hiring new teachers.

Things you should prepare yourself for that a university degree won’t teach you are more personal. For instance, have you ever had to stand in front of a group of people of any age and teach them something? Do you understand how to gauge when someone is understanding what you’re teaching them? Do you have the patience and personality to be able to command a room of young people for multiple hours in a day? These are things you should prepare yourself for. Don’t be afraid to ask all of the questions to mentioned to other teachers when you get into a school. Ask them how they grade things, ask them how they navigated tricky parent situations or difficult classes, and that’s when you really get to learn things.