What qualifications should a teacher have?

Teachers in Canada typically need a Bachelor of Education and certification from their province’s or territory’s regulatory body (such as the Ontario College of Teachers or Teacher Regulation Branch in B.C.). Additional qualifications or subject-specific credentials may be required depending on the role.

How to Hire a Teacher [Updated 2025]

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Do you need to hire a teacher? A qualified teacher can shape student learning, support academic goals and help maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment.

Understanding the steps behind hiring a teacher, including job-seeker data, salary information and key terms to include in your job description, can help you stand out from the competition to effectively attract and hire quality candidates.

Hire your next Teacher today.

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Hire your next Teacher today.

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Teacher: What is the cost of hiring?

What is a teacher?

A teacher is generally an educator responsible for delivering curriculum, assessing student progress and supporting the intellectual and emotional development of learners. Teachers may work in public or private schools, teaching various age groups and subject areas.

Why hire a teacher?

Hiring the right teacher can lead to improved student outcomes, better classroom management and stronger community engagement. You may need to hire a teacher when launching a new program, expanding enrolment or replacing a departing staff member.

Contributions of a great teacher:

delivers engaging lessons that align with curriculum standards and meet student needs
fosters a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment
evaluates student progress and adjusts instruction accordingly

Defining your hiring needs for teachers

Start by identifying the subject area, grade level and credentials required. Do you need a certified elementary teacher, a secondary science instructor or a specialist in special education? Determine whether the role is full-time, part-time or a freelance position. Consider student enrollment numbers, budget constraints and provincial licensing requirements when finalizing your hiring needs.

What are the types of teachers?

Teachers can specialize in a wide range of subjects and grade levels. Some roles also require additional certifications or training.

Common types of teachers include:

elementary school teacher
high school teacher
special education teacher
ESL/ELL teacher
substitute or supply teacher
subject-specific teachers, such as a math teacher, music teacher or French teacher

When writing your teacher job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on teacher jobs, according to Indeed data:

Want more hiring insights for your teacher role? Sign in or create your free Indeed account.

Where to find teachers

You can find qualified teachers by connecting with local school boards, education faculties and teaching certification programs. Many provinces and territories have job boards or association sites dedicated to education careers.

To find the right teacher for your school, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

Faculty of education career offices: Universities like Queen’s, UBC and Western help connect graduates to hiring schools.
Provincial job boards: Platforms such as ApplyToEducation are widely used by school boards across Canada.
Teaching associations: Provincial groups often share job postings or referrals within their membership.
Local school networks: Nearby schools and teachers may refer strong candidates or long-term supply teachers.

Post your job online: Try posting your teacher job on Indeed to find and attract quality teacher candidates.

Skills to look for in a teacher

A successful teacher candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

instructional planning and curriculum alignment
classroom management and conflict resolution
student assessment and feedback strategies
communication and collaboration with students, parents and staff
adaptability to different learning needs and styles

Writing a teacher job description

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job-seeker search terms and hiring insights for a teacher, you’re ready to write a job description.

A teacher job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing teacher job descriptions.

Interviewing teacher candidates

Strong candidates for teaching roles will be confident answering questions regarding:

instructional strategies and classroom management techniques
adapting lesson plans for different student needs
working with parents, administrators and education assistants
managing student behaviour and promoting engagement
supporting student mental health and inclusivity in the classroom

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of teacher interview questions for examples (with sample answers).

FAQs about how to hire a teacher

Ask candidates to describe how they establish expectations, build student relationships and respond to misbehaviour or disruptions. Look for examples that demonstrate how they’ve created a positive and respectful classroom environment while maintaining clear boundaries. Effective classroom managers often mention using proactive strategies, such as routines, positive reinforcement or student involvement, to prevent issues before they arise. Their response should show they can remain calm under pressure and adapt their approach depending on the needs and dynamics of the group.

Ask candidates how they adapt lessons to accommodate students with diverse learning styles, language backgrounds or support needs. Strong candidates will explain how they differentiate instruction, integrate accommodations and use flexible teaching methods. Look for examples involving English language learners, students with IEPs or a range of academic levels within one classroom. Their response should reflect both awareness of student diversity and a practical approach to inclusive education.

During a teaching demo, focus on how clearly the candidate explains material, maintains classroom flow and keeps students engaged. Strong candidates will use a mix of strategies, such as questioning, visual aids, movement or hands-on activities, to involve students in the lesson. Pay attention to their pacing, transitions and how they check for understanding. A well-executed demo also shows how they adjust on the spot if something isn’t working or if students need clarification.