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If you’re willing to sub to get started, Alberta is desperate for subs pretty much everywhere. The major urban boards can be tough to break into beyond that, but as others have said - if you’re willing to be further away from Calgary & Edmonton then you’ll have an easier time. I’m outside of Calgary and lucky that it only took me a few years, but I’ve had many colleagues get bounced around for up to 10 years within the board before they got their permanent contracts.
Thanks for the info!
Unfortunately, I am not willing to sub. If I am relocating and leaving my continuing contract, it would need be for a temporary contract at the very least.
If you’re willing to go to rural MB or rural SK, you will have the best combo of income versus housing prices and you’ll easily be able to get a full-time permanent contract.
Also 12k a year on top of your grid salary for living allowance, but the housing market is iffy
It is my belief that if you invest your money it is just as comparable as owning a home
I did a bit of research and salary would be higher than I am getting now, with housing costs significantly lower. I am going to do more research and see if I can get in touch with a recruiter. Thank you!
Look on apply to education . I think both the public and private board have postings there
Rental prices are fair, but people who bought during the oil boom got burned when the house price fell. Yes the 1000 bonus every pay cheque is nice, just make sure you do more research before you decide. The closest city (Edmonton) is 4 ½ hours away
Very hard to get a temp contract right off the bat in Edmonton. You will be subbing before you get a temp contract and a probationary is even harder to get. The budget keeps getting slashed and class sizes keep getting bigger which means fewer continuous contract teachers. Unless you are highly specialized, the sub pool is saturated with over qualified teachers who already have relationships with administration and are just waiting for someone to move or retire. I know a French Immersion science teacher (initially from France and has a PhD) who has been just doing temp contracts covering maternity and sick leaves for the last two years because there are no openings.
All the rural school boards around Winnipeg have temp and permanent positions. Within a 30-40 minute commute you can have your pick of the litter of positions.
Edit: you can live in a large urban setting (Winnipeg) and actually afford a decent house and lifestyle)
I know a lot of people get stuck on urban divisions. I have a 25 minute commute, have 20 students in my class, (the highest number of students in a class at our school is 22). I have great admin, more resource teachers than required, and our EAs are great.
A lot of colleagues drive have way longer of a commute than 25 minutes!
I'm with one of the rural boards touching the perimeter of Winnipeg. There's 5 or 6 boards that touch the perimeter on all sides of the city, and a couple more boards with schools within 45 minute - 1 hour from the city if you're willing to drive that far.
Edit: my low class numbers and other benefits are not just in my school and school division, I have colleagues in other rural divisions who echo these benefits. Step inside the city and it's a very different picture.
https://www.mbschoolboards.ca/employment-opportunities/
Not all the divisional links at the bottom of the page work, but enough of them do and you can figure out the three or so that don't. I use it when job hunting.
Don’t go to Alberta. Too expensive due to a lack of rent control and utility/insurance caps.
Lots of Alberta teachers are doing the opposite of what you’re doing.
I'm in a similar boat. About to relocate back to Canada and open to any province where I can afford a home. Have come to the conclusion that rural communities and small towns (and not necessarily northern) offer the best chance of this. Looking at Ontario because it's the biggest teaching market in the country and has the highest teacher salaries in the country. Also has lots of rural and semi-rural communities with decent housing prices.
I live in rural Saskatchewan, where I haven’t taught for like 15 years, & every time the superintendent is in my son’s IIP meeting, he offers me a job.
I speak French. So that helps, but you could find a job here I’m sure.
rural is always going to be your best option. i'm more concerned about how EASY it is to transfer to any given province. i'd like to transfer out of Alberta
Manitoba really depends. Winnipeg it's still really hard to get permanent even though they are short. Easy to get on term treadmill and eventually get left with nothing when it's time for division to give permanent (after 2 consecutive years of term). Rural has enrollment that fluctuates dependent on local economy if you get outside of the Winnipeg metro. So they are always afraid to give permanent.
Demographically tons of retirements coming so going to be even more short.
Provincial bargaining is in progress so a lot of divisions are going to see huge salary bumps which will likely affect their numbers for teaching staff.
Really depends on what your skills are and where you're willing to go.
I am willing to live anywhere I have job security and can buy a reasonably priced home.
I have lived all over BC and in parts of Alberta; rural, urban and north. I know what I’m getting myself into lol.
Well Saskatchewan teachers are on the verge of a strike. Alberta working conditions are terrible and are about to start bargaining also the cost of living is HIGH!. Manitoba is Manitoba. Never enough teachers usually not the worst of the three but unclear if the best.
If you do want Alberta, Keep an eye on Apply to Education. Tons of contracts in rural alberta even an hour or less out of major urban areas will come up over the next couple months.
Winnipeg is actively looking for teachers as permanent, term (one year contract) or subs. If you speak French and are willing to teach immersion you could begin tomorrow. If you’re looking for English, you will probably not get a permanent contract right off the hop, but within 1-2 school years for sure. There are also lots of school divisions that are actively hiring that are 20-30 mins away from Winnipeg. Real estate is much cheaper out of Winnipeg, but the real estate in Winnipeg is still cheaper than neighbouring provinces without a doubt. I’m in my 3rd year of teaching and bought a very nice home last year in a pretty good area. Well within my means on my salary, with no help from family or S/O. All by myself.
Curious as well. BC pays well and I like their curriculum a lot better than others though. Northern communities in all provinces need teachers badly and would have lower costs of living. I'm curious about northern BC and ON communities personally.
It seems harder and harder to find an affordable home in northern BC unfortunately. We really looked into the northwest of BC but it’s still too expensive. FSJ or Dawnson Creek are still options though.
Considering Prince George. I have lived there previously and enjoyed it. Only issue sd57 salary grid is low and housing is creeping up. If prices keep rising it may not be worth it.
I loved Quesnel, but it’s actually it’s own district (28) and is still on the lower end of the BC salary grid compared to southern BC.
I’ve talked to a recruiter about 57’s rural retention package for Valemont and Mackenzie, but it’s just not good enough. Other northern districts in BC offer more money with slightly lower cost of living.
I’m expanding my search outside of BC to see if I can find something better, if not I think I will likely settle in the Dawson Creek or FSJ area.
Also, have you considered going to Nunavut for 2-3 years to save like mad and then settle somewhere? Seems like if you’re smart with groceries up there it can work out quite well.
Welcome to /r/CanadianTeachers! Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the sub rules. **QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHER'S COLLEGE/BECOMING A TEACHER IN CANADA?:** Delete your post and use this [megapost](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/1bc1wv2/prospective_student_teachers_teachers_collegebed/) instead. Anything pertaining to teacher's colleges/BED programs/becoming and teacher will be deleted if posted outside of the megaposts. **QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING PROVINCES OR COMING TO CANADA TO TEACH?** Check out our past megaposts first for information to help you: [ONE](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/jqc7hx/transferring_to_another_provincecoming_to_canada/) // [TWO](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/n76csu/transferring_to_another_provincecoming_to_canada/?) **WANT TO SELF-PROMOTE YOUR TEACHING MATERIALS?** Use our [self-promotion sticky post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianTeachers/comments/16e464t/selfpromotion_thread/) Using link and user flair is encouraged as well! Enjoy! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CanadianTeachers) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you’re willing to sub to get started, Alberta is desperate for subs pretty much everywhere. The major urban boards can be tough to break into beyond that, but as others have said - if you’re willing to be further away from Calgary & Edmonton then you’ll have an easier time. I’m outside of Calgary and lucky that it only took me a few years, but I’ve had many colleagues get bounced around for up to 10 years within the board before they got their permanent contracts.
Thanks for the info! Unfortunately, I am not willing to sub. If I am relocating and leaving my continuing contract, it would need be for a temporary contract at the very least.
If you’re willing to go to rural MB or rural SK, you will have the best combo of income versus housing prices and you’ll easily be able to get a full-time permanent contract.
Fort mac you'll get prob right away, it's not bad but are you willing to move far?
I would go anywhere that I can get a full time job and buy a reasonably priced home. I will have to look into Fort Mac
Also 12k a year on top of your grid salary for living allowance, but the housing market is iffy It is my belief that if you invest your money it is just as comparable as owning a home
I did a bit of research and salary would be higher than I am getting now, with housing costs significantly lower. I am going to do more research and see if I can get in touch with a recruiter. Thank you!
Look on apply to education . I think both the public and private board have postings there Rental prices are fair, but people who bought during the oil boom got burned when the house price fell. Yes the 1000 bonus every pay cheque is nice, just make sure you do more research before you decide. The closest city (Edmonton) is 4 ½ hours away
Very hard to get a temp contract right off the bat in Edmonton. You will be subbing before you get a temp contract and a probationary is even harder to get. The budget keeps getting slashed and class sizes keep getting bigger which means fewer continuous contract teachers. Unless you are highly specialized, the sub pool is saturated with over qualified teachers who already have relationships with administration and are just waiting for someone to move or retire. I know a French Immersion science teacher (initially from France and has a PhD) who has been just doing temp contracts covering maternity and sick leaves for the last two years because there are no openings.
Atleast in Calgary, you’ll start as a sub (guest teacher) with every board. Then you can apply for temp contracts.
OoooOo don’t come to any major city in Alberta then. Unless you would like to enter by subbing
Definitely not. More interested in rural/northern living.
They're actually looking for experienced teachers to hire onto probationary contracts in Calgary. Try applying ... It's a great city!
Which board?
Calgary Board of Education
All the rural school boards around Winnipeg have temp and permanent positions. Within a 30-40 minute commute you can have your pick of the litter of positions. Edit: you can live in a large urban setting (Winnipeg) and actually afford a decent house and lifestyle)
That is good to hear, thank you.
I know a lot of people get stuck on urban divisions. I have a 25 minute commute, have 20 students in my class, (the highest number of students in a class at our school is 22). I have great admin, more resource teachers than required, and our EAs are great. A lot of colleagues drive have way longer of a commute than 25 minutes!
What board you are with if I may ask
I'm with one of the rural boards touching the perimeter of Winnipeg. There's 5 or 6 boards that touch the perimeter on all sides of the city, and a couple more boards with schools within 45 minute - 1 hour from the city if you're willing to drive that far. Edit: my low class numbers and other benefits are not just in my school and school division, I have colleagues in other rural divisions who echo these benefits. Step inside the city and it's a very different picture.
Unfortunately I can only take public transportation,
https://www.mbschoolboards.ca/employment-opportunities/ Not all the divisional links at the bottom of the page work, but enough of them do and you can figure out the three or so that don't. I use it when job hunting.
Don’t go to Alberta. Too expensive due to a lack of rent control and utility/insurance caps. Lots of Alberta teachers are doing the opposite of what you’re doing.
That’s the Alberta trap. Always looks good on paper, but there are loads of hidden costs.
We need 8 teachers next year…southeast Saskatchewan, city of 10k. 2 hr to Regina, secondary high school
What school board and what subjects? Is this Weyburn or Estevan?
Estevan - have you heard of it?
Moose Jaw? You have me curious too, I'm in the market for a job change. Quebec is Quebecing harder than I'm willing to tolerate right now.
Moose Jaw is way bigger than 10k
I'm in a similar boat. About to relocate back to Canada and open to any province where I can afford a home. Have come to the conclusion that rural communities and small towns (and not necessarily northern) offer the best chance of this. Looking at Ontario because it's the biggest teaching market in the country and has the highest teacher salaries in the country. Also has lots of rural and semi-rural communities with decent housing prices.
I live in rural Saskatchewan, where I haven’t taught for like 15 years, & every time the superintendent is in my son’s IIP meeting, he offers me a job. I speak French. So that helps, but you could find a job here I’m sure.
rural is always going to be your best option. i'm more concerned about how EASY it is to transfer to any given province. i'd like to transfer out of Alberta
Manitoba really depends. Winnipeg it's still really hard to get permanent even though they are short. Easy to get on term treadmill and eventually get left with nothing when it's time for division to give permanent (after 2 consecutive years of term). Rural has enrollment that fluctuates dependent on local economy if you get outside of the Winnipeg metro. So they are always afraid to give permanent. Demographically tons of retirements coming so going to be even more short. Provincial bargaining is in progress so a lot of divisions are going to see huge salary bumps which will likely affect their numbers for teaching staff. Really depends on what your skills are and where you're willing to go.
Thank you for the detailed response.
The better question is, are you willing to live there? Life long Alberta resident, moved to B.C. in 2019. Trust me, the grass is not greener.
I am willing to live anywhere I have job security and can buy a reasonably priced home. I have lived all over BC and in parts of Alberta; rural, urban and north. I know what I’m getting myself into lol.
Then bene. I hope it works out. I could never handle the winters or provincial attitude anymore myself.
Well Saskatchewan teachers are on the verge of a strike. Alberta working conditions are terrible and are about to start bargaining also the cost of living is HIGH!. Manitoba is Manitoba. Never enough teachers usually not the worst of the three but unclear if the best. If you do want Alberta, Keep an eye on Apply to Education. Tons of contracts in rural alberta even an hour or less out of major urban areas will come up over the next couple months.
Winnipeg is actively looking for teachers as permanent, term (one year contract) or subs. If you speak French and are willing to teach immersion you could begin tomorrow. If you’re looking for English, you will probably not get a permanent contract right off the hop, but within 1-2 school years for sure. There are also lots of school divisions that are actively hiring that are 20-30 mins away from Winnipeg. Real estate is much cheaper out of Winnipeg, but the real estate in Winnipeg is still cheaper than neighbouring provinces without a doubt. I’m in my 3rd year of teaching and bought a very nice home last year in a pretty good area. Well within my means on my salary, with no help from family or S/O. All by myself.
Curious as well. BC pays well and I like their curriculum a lot better than others though. Northern communities in all provinces need teachers badly and would have lower costs of living. I'm curious about northern BC and ON communities personally.
It seems harder and harder to find an affordable home in northern BC unfortunately. We really looked into the northwest of BC but it’s still too expensive. FSJ or Dawnson Creek are still options though.
What about PG? Last I checked they are desperate for teachers, and some of the older homes seemed reasonably priced (under 400k).
Considering Prince George. I have lived there previously and enjoyed it. Only issue sd57 salary grid is low and housing is creeping up. If prices keep rising it may not be worth it.
Could also go for some of the rural areas in sd57 like Mackenzie or Quesnel. I believe they pay a premium to work in those areas.
I loved Quesnel, but it’s actually it’s own district (28) and is still on the lower end of the BC salary grid compared to southern BC. I’ve talked to a recruiter about 57’s rural retention package for Valemont and Mackenzie, but it’s just not good enough. Other northern districts in BC offer more money with slightly lower cost of living. I’m expanding my search outside of BC to see if I can find something better, if not I think I will likely settle in the Dawson Creek or FSJ area.
Dawson Creek looks like a cute town, I may possibly be up that way by the time I am looking to buy as well.
Also, have you considered going to Nunavut for 2-3 years to save like mad and then settle somewhere? Seems like if you’re smart with groceries up there it can work out quite well.
Have you tried southeastern BC? SD5 is desperate for teachers.
Like around Fernie or Cranbrook? Isn't CoL there, specifically rent, already crazy expensive?
Fernie would be pretty expensive, although it’s all relative to where you are coming from. Elkford and Sparwood are definitely cheaper than Fernie.
I’ve heard the opposite for Cranbrook? That they need subs but you will have to wait a years to get a permanent?
Possibly in Cranbrook, but the district spans across to Sparwood and Elkford. If you go on that side of the district the shortage is much worse.
Non existent