By  Megan Bond , M.Ed. Candidate

The Faculty of Education was abuzz with the excitement of new opportunities on January 10th as Duncan McArthur Hall opened its doors to welcome Canadian school boards and international organizations as part of OPTIONS 2012.

Organized by Education Career Services each year, OPTIONS provides Bachelor of Education students with the opportunity to gather information and learn more about what Canadian school boards and other organizations have to offer up-and-coming newly qualified teachers (see the  OPTIONS 2012 Program).

With the teaching job market as competitive as it is, teacher candidates were more curious than ever about their options in the field of education. Huddles quickly formed around representatives from the largest and third largest Ontario school boards, Toronto District School Board and York Region District School Board.

Elizabeth Gordon, Manager of Recruitment at York Region explained that Elementary French is still the most sought after position to fill, however, she reassured that her Board still hires for every subject area each year.

With limited positions, one might wonder why school boards would bother actively recruiting at all. Gordon explained that York Region does not visit all faculties of education in the province, but limits recruitment to those universities that have proven most desirable based on qualifications and previous successes with the board.

Queen’s highly regarded reputation extends beyond the province to the UK, Sweden, Bhutan and other international schools and organizations. Brian Tucek, Assistant Principal for Internationella Engelska Skolan of Sweden, returned with his team for a third year to recruit Queen’s teacher candidates. Hiring graduates from the Faculty has proven a success to the 20-school organization. Eight teachers were hired during their visit last year and his team was hoping to fill many more positions by the end of their visit this year.

So why Canada, and why Queen’s in particular? Tucek explained, “Queen’s produces dedicated, professional, well-prepared, and well-trained teachers, who prove to be leaders in their field, and go the extra mile.”

Jenna Therrien of the Bhutan Canada Foundation claimed that Queen’s reputation as a “strong faculty of education” was what brought her to OPTIONS 2012, in the hopes of hiring adaptable and adventurous individuals.

Laura Wilson, Canadian Resource Director from Engage Canada UK, provided a similar testimony stating, “Teachers that come from Queen’s are more than just classroom teachers. They are educators”.

So what did these future educators feel about their prospects? Many were open-minded to the possibility of alternative options beyond Ontario schools, including living and working in northern Canada or overseas.

Teacher Candidate Fares Nassif-Makki saw the organizations from abroad as opportunities to increase his potential in a competitive job market. “It’s less competitive, and I would also have a personal gain from travel.” 

Jennifer Chu was also considering job opportunities beyond Ontario school boards.  After speaking to a representative at York Region District School Board, she explained that she had also considered employment in the UK. 

As she was hurrying to attend a presentation by a teaching agency from Australia, she explained, “Originally I thought I wanted to work in the UK, but now I’m really considering Australia. The presentations have been particularly helpful in providing more focused information in that particular area.”

The consensus from many teacher candidates was that ‘OPTIONS 2012’ was a good starting block for exploring the many employment possibilities for newly qualified teachers. Many were keeping an open mind and remaining hopeful. 

Sarah Taylor reflected, “I’m not leaning to anything specific at this point, but the event was helpful in indicating what is not for me and what other avenues to approach. Overall, it was a great opportunity”.