most DEFINITELY there were more MS history than HS history this year.

and yup, it is totally a cycle thing. last time i was recruiting, so many of the social studies / history postings included sociology and the recruiters were certainly keen for "experience" in teaching sociology (come on, sociology??? anybody can teach sociology!!! ha ha okay sociologists i am only half joking here).

it seemed like, in addition to having loads of MYP humanities positions (more than HS social studies/history, that is for sure!) schools were very keen for MYP "experienced" teachers. many schools with MYP are really embracing the middle school model. they don't want teachers to take on middle school positions (or even 9th/10th grade MYP positions) simply as a spring board to get something in the higher grades. they want committed middle school teachers. and i can appreciate that. and that is not what i am, so i was not willing to pretend to be someone who loves middle school. because once i got to the school and tried to get into the high school, i would be exposed, now wouldn't i!!

so i do feel that it is most important to be true to your strengths. don't be something you aren't. and i think that if you try to be everything to everybody (yes! i can teach econ! sociology? sure! middle school? why not??) you look like you are a generalist (seen by some as without much substance) or someone desperate to please. and you know what they say, "when you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one."

having said that, when you are looking for a job and know you could teach middle school just as easily as high school, well, it is frustrating!!!

in the end, i accepted a combo middle school / high school history position. at first i was a little disappointed with what i ended up with, but i am thrilled now. and even more so as i continued to look at what was out there and all things considered, i think i got the best of what i could have.

years of experience in the overseas world has taught me that the job hunt is all about who you know, right place / right time, and luck in what is out there in the given year you have chosen to make a move.

them's the breaks!!

good luck to all still recruiting. there are still many things to be had and there will be more late additions as the school year draws to a close.

As a Canadian who spent a number of years looking to get online certification that would suffice for both international and Canadian certification, I can say without a doubt that it does. not. exist. You MUST attend a Canadian university and do a B.Ed. program that includes teaching practicums within a public school in the province to get a teaching certificate in every Canadian province.

I know that as of right now, in Alberta and British Columbia, the B.Ed. program is still two years long (as an after degree). The last time I checked (two years ago) every other province also still required two years of an after degree in order to apply for teaching certification. The exception to that was Ontario and that is why I am here now. Someone from other provinces can correct me if I am wrong on that.

I am currently on a "sabbatical" from teaching abroad to get teaching certificate in Ontario. Here, you can take a one academic year (8 months, two semesters) program after which you can apply for a teaching certificate through the Ontario College of Teachers.

I am meeting a few teachers here who could not get into Ontario programs who went to Australia to get their teaching certificate - apparently surfer's paradise has a program that the Ontario College of Teachers accepts as a direct transfer for certification. Nice work if you can get it.

I have heard rumblings that Ontario Universities are planning to move towards a 2 year after degree certification program. I am hearing that this for a number of reasons, one of which is to work out the ridiculous surplus of teachers currently in this province.

As someone who has been watching this and other Canadian education topics closely for upwards of 15 years, I highly doubt any province would go for online teacher certification any time soon - definitely closer to 50 years than to 3 or 4. There are too many teachers without jobs already, the professional teaching associations would not go for, and neither would the provincial ministries in charge of education. Then again, stranger things have happened. I certainly wasn't willing to wait around for one to come available.

One academic year is quick. Get it (in Ontario) while you still can!

Keep the tattoos [b]well [/b]covered for a while when at school until you get a feel for the school. I am working at an international school where a teacher has gotten a bit of trouble from parents over a number of things...but it all started b/c they didn't like the look of the tattoos.

Appearances are important, so I would let your teaching make the first impression not your tattoos.

Depends on what you want out of it. If you need to save money or have bills / expenses, money may be what you want. If money is not a priority, go with the lower pay.

Money is not everything, unless it is your #1 priority. I have seen people with $$ in their eyes able to put up with a lot of garbage. Personally, it was not enough for me. I gave up the "big bucks" of a bad atmosphere school for a very low paying job at an okay school in a fabulously fun country with an amazing climate. After a few years with no savings to show for it, I need to now find a place where I can save some cash but not be miserable for it.

Everything is relative and all depends on what you need at this time.

I have never heard of a three year contract for teachers. Administrators are often on 3 year contracts. I would be hesitant to sign a three year contract unless you knew for sure you liked the school, the country, etc.

I don't think a decent school would withdraw an offer if you asked "Any chance the contract can be for two years? I am just not sure about three years" - especially if it is your first time out.

I would also like to note that many posters mix up principal (the person) and principle (the attitude) ... it is driving me nuts.

Thanks! :)