Be Ready to Apply
Start with Certification and Immigration
Before applying to teach in B.C.’s K-12 schools, you need a B.C. teaching certificate and must be legally able to work in Canada. Review these sections for more information:
Find Your Community
The Ideal Locations for You to Live
When you are ready to start your job search, consider your personal and career priorities, including the type of community you will thrive in.
Teaching in rural and urban areas each have advantages and disadvantages. Consider what environment you will prefer before committing to a community.
Explore Your Options
Determine Grades and School Types
What grade would you like to teach? Are you focused on teaching a specific subject area?
Learn more about the types of schools and teaching roles in B.C.
If you are interested in teaching in French, visit makeafuture.ca.
Search and Apply for Jobs
Jobs in the B.C. K-12 education system are posted on makeafuture.ca. On this website, you will find job listings in B.C.’s public, independent, First Nations and offshore schools.
Make a Future is free for you to use. Here’s how to use makeafuture.ca:
Register on the makeafuture.ca website to create a profile. You’ll need to set up an account with each school district/school you apply to, but you can link the accounts to copy over your information.
- Use the platform’s search filters to find positions that match your interests and qualifications. You can filter by:
- School district and employer: Search for jobs with a specific employer.
- Grade level: Find positions at the elementary, middle or secondary level.
- Subject area: Search for jobs in your specific subject area (such as English, Mathematics, Science).
- Job type: Find full-time, part-time or casual positions.
Carefully review job descriptions and application instructions for each position.
Submit your application online through makeafuture.ca. Your application will go directly to the school district/school you apply to. You will need to upload your resume, cover letter and supporting documents for each application you submit.
Monitor your applications and check for updates on your application status.
B.C. School Hiring Process
Most K-12 schools in B.C. require online applications via makeafuture.ca, but there are differences in the application requirements. Every school district, independent school and First Nations school hires a little differently, so always read the job posting and application instructions carefully.
| School System | Application Requirements |
|---|---|
| Public schools (school districts) | Public school hiring in B.C. adheres to rules established by collective agreements between the school districts and the teachers’ union. These rules include aspects such as the qualifications teachers must have, the application process, and the conditions of employment. Each school district has its own specific hiring process. |
| Francophone school district (Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique) | Hiring at each of School District 93’s school locations is conducted centrally at the board office. Interviews may involve meetings with school principals and other district administrators. |
| Independent schools | Hiring in B.C.’s independent school system is usually coordinated by a human resource professional or school principal at the school level. |
| First Nations schools | Hiring is often coordinated by the school principal, human resources manager or educational administrator. According to Section 41 of the Human Rights Code, priority may be given to applicants who are of Aboriginal ancestry if they are qualified for the position. |
| B.C.-Certified offshore schools | Hiring for these schools is usually done by local representatives in the country where the school is located, though sometimes a school operator from B.C. may also conduct the hiring. |
Other Roles in B.C. Schools
Teachers may qualify for additional roles, such as teacher-librarian, resource teacher, learning support teacher, school counsellor or school psychologist, which support various educational programs.
Learn more about the many educational support staff positions.
Support staff positions include education assistants, skilled and semi-skilled tradespeople, IT professionals, business support services, office administrators, bus drivers and more.
There are many non-educator management roles within the B.C. K-12 school system. These include roles in human resources, information technology, communications and facilities.
