Teaching Careers in BC Elementary and Middle Schools

BC is seeking dedicated teachers to support student learning throughout the province. Check out the latest top teaching jobs for elementary and middle school teachers for a rewarding career in BC education.

Visit the link below for kindergarten, elementary and middle school teaching positions under the Teachers & Administrators category.

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From the rocky coastline communities of Vancouver Island to the breathtaking ancient forests of Northern BC, the vibrant hubs of Metro Vancouver to the quiet-yet-convenient communities of the Fraser Valley, the scenic hills of the Okanagan to the raw, rugged beauty of the Kootenay region, every corner of BC needs new and experienced elementary and middle school teachers.

Whichever part of BC appeals to you, apply today to launch your teaching career in a community eager to welcome you.

Why Teach in BC

Many people know that British Columbia offers incredible access to nature, even in major urban centres, robust and diverse cultural experiences, and a laid-back coastal lifestyle. But what they might not know is that the province also offers teachers flexible curriculum that allows teachers to innovate.

Educators can meet students where they are to drive impact and support their success. Find learning communities driven to succeed, along with a lifestyle that speaks to you. If you value creativity and autonomy as an educator, BC is the place for you.

Teacher Salary Ranges in BC

BC teachers are paid an annual salary according to their assigned TQS category/level.  This category is determined by the Teacher Qualification Service, the agency responsible for evaluating a teacher’s qualifications and years of education for salary purposes.

Depending on a teacher’s level of experience, and their district of employment, their salary may fall below or above these ranges. Below is an average minimum and maximum salary range for each TQS category.

Remote and Rural Allowance

There are some additional allowances paid to some teachers in certain districts. In many remote and rural districts and schools, allowances are paid to teachers with special responsibility positions such as department head, head teacher, teacher-in-charge or teacher coordinator.

In some cases, there is also a signing bonus for new teachers of up to $10,000. Look for this information on the individual job postings to see what is available as the payments range significantly depending on the location.

In addition, teachers in some districts are paid a remote and rural allowance of approximately $3,035 per FTE annually. When paid monthly, for example, a full-time continuing employee would receive an additional allowance of $295 per month for 10 months or $246 per month for 12 months. Teachers on call (TOCs) are not eligible to receive this allowance.

Elementary and Middle Schools

In BC, elementary schools are organized depending on the individual school district’s model. In some cases, elementary schools are organized from Kindergarten to Grade 7. Teachers in these settings are often considered elementary generalists and teach several subjects to one group of students.

In situations where the district has organized a middle school model, the teachers are more likely to teach specialty subject areas and may teach many individual classes of students. Each district and school will be different. In most cases, an elementary school in BC’s public education system ends in Grade 7.

Within elementary schools, some specialty teachers exist, but these specialty areas vary widely. Sometimes, you may find a school with a music specialist teacher or French specialist teacher. In other cases, the school may have a Physical Education specialist or information technology specialist.

Certification and Qualification

All BC Education elementary and middle school teachers must be certified to teach with the Ministry of Education’s Teacher Regulation Branch. If you hold a current teaching certificate from another Canadian province, you may qualify for a certificate without completing any further coursework.

Become Certified

When a certified teacher cannot be hired, a letter of permission may be obtained from the Teacher Regulation Branch to allow the employment of an uncertified teacher. These letters of permission allow an individual to teach within the system for up to one year without their certification.

Training and Educational Programs

To prepare teachers for the classroom, teacher education programs include theoretical coursework, and an in-school practicum experience component. The length of training to prepare a teacher for the public school system ranges from one to two years, depending on the program.

Start your elementary teaching career by enrolling in a teacher education training program at one of these BC universities.

Employment Opportunities

Find kindergarten, elementary and middle school teacher positions on Makeafuture.ca under the Teachers & Administrators position category.

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