National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

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403 - Secondary and elementary school teachers and educational counsellors

4031 - Secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers prepare and teach academic, technical, vocational or specialized subjects at public and private secondary schools. Secondary school teachers who are heads of departments are included in this group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • adult education teacher, secondary school
    • biology teacher, high school
    • commerce teacher - secondary school
    • department head, secondary school
    • English as a second language teacher, high school
    • English teacher, secondary school
    • French as a second language teacher, high school
    • high school teacher, special education
    • history teacher, secondary school
    • remedial teacher - secondary school
    • secondary school teacher
    • supply teacher, high school
    • teacher-librarian, high school
    • trades instructor - secondary school
    • vocational teacher, high school

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • College and other vocational instructors (4021)
    • Educational counsellors (4033)
    • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (4413)
    • Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (4032)
    • Junior high school teachers (See 4032 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers)
    • Psychoeducators (See 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors)
    • School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (0422)
    • Secondary school librarians (See 5211 Library and public archive technicians)
    • Teachers of non-academic courses (See 4216 Other instructors)
    • Teachers teaching life skills courses to persons with disabilities (See 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
  • Main duties

    Secondary school teachers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Prepare subject material for presentation to students according to an approved curriculum
    • Teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies
    • Assign and correct homework
    • Prepare, administer and correct tests
    • Evaluate progress, determine individual needs of students and discuss results with parents and school officials
    • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
    • Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
    • May teach and evaluate students through distance or online courses
    • May advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters
    • May supervise student teachers.

    Secondary school teachers may specialize in such areas as mathematics, English, French, special education or second language instruction. Secondary school teachers of vocational and trades subjects may specialize in areas such as hairdressing or auto mechanics.

  • Employment requirements

    • Teachers of academic subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is often preceded by a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences.
    • Teachers of vocational or technical subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is usually preceded by specialized training or experience in the subject.
    • Instructors of trades in Quebec require completion of an apprenticeship training program and industry or trade certification.
    • Department heads usually require several years of teaching experience.
    • To specialize in special education or English or French as a second language, additional training is required.
    • A provincial teaching certificate is required.
    • Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation may be required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to vice-principal or other administrative positions in the education system is possible with experience.

4032 - Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach basic subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic or specialized subjects such as English or French as a second language at public and private elementary schools.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • elementary school teacher, English as a second language
    • elementary school teacher, French as a second language
    • French immersion teacher - elementary school
    • kindergarten teacher
    • primary school teacher
    • remedial teacher - elementary school
    • special education teacher - elementary school
    • special education teacher - primary school
    • supply teacher - elementary school
    • teacher-librarian, elementary school

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Early childhood educators and assistants (4214)
    • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (4413)
    • Elementary school librarians (See 5211 Library and public archive technicians)
    • Psychoeducators (See 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors)
    • School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (0422)
    • Secondary school teachers (4031)
    • Teachers of persons with developmental disabilities (See 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
  • Main duties

    Elementary school and kindergarten teachers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Prepare courses for presentation to students according to approved curriculum
    • Teach students using a systematic plan of lessons, discussions, audio-visual presentations and field trips
    • Lead students in activities to promote their physical, mental and social development and their school readiness
    • Assign and correct homework
    • Prepare, administer and correct tests
    • Evaluate the progress of students and discuss results with students, parents and school officials
    • Identify children's individual learning needs
    • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
    • Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
    • May supervise teachers' aides and student teachers.

    Elementary school and kindergarten teachers may specialize in such areas as special education or second language instruction.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in education is required.
    • A bachelor's degree in child development may be required.
    • Additional training is required to specialize in special education or second language instruction.
    • A provincial teaching certificate is required. Additional certification is required to teach English or French as a second language.
    • Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation is usually required.
  • Additional information

    • Progression to education consultant or school principal is possible with experience.

4033 - Educational counsellors

Educational counsellors advise current and prospective students on educational issues, career planning and personal development, and co-ordinate the provision of counselling services to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff. They are employed by school boards and post-secondary educational institutions.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • academic counsellor
    • career counsellor - education
    • school counsellor
    • student services counsellor

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Employment counsellors (4156)
    • Family, marriage and other related counsellors (4153)
    • School psychologists (See 4151 Psychologists)
    • Secondary school teachers (4031)
    • Social workers (4152)
  • Main duties

    Educational counsellors perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, time tables and scheduling, school adjustment, attendance problems and study skills
    • Counsel students regarding career or vocational issues including career exploration and planning, résumé preparation, job interview skills and job search strategies and make available to them a wide range of educational and occupational information
    • Co-ordinate co-op and school-to-work transition programs, and the provision of counselling and information services, such as career information, professional development sessions and exchanges with other educational institutions, to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff
    • Consult with teachers and parents or faculty and other professionals such as psychologists, speech therapists and social workers regarding various issues and concerns, and with administrators and community agencies regarding programs and referrals
    • Administer and interpret standardized intelligence, personality, vocational, aptitude and interest tests
    • Develop and co-ordinate study skills groups or workshops in high schools, colleges and universities on topics such as note-taking, test or examination anxiety and preparation strategies and time management skills
    • Visit colleges and secondary schools to provide academic information to prospective students, their parents and educational counsellors
    • Co-ordinate or participate in student orientation programs in colleges or universities
    • Arrange for employers to recruit graduating college and university students, and students for co-op education work terms
    • Counsel students regarding personal and social issues such as substance abuse, depression, sexuality, eating disorders, anxiety, self-esteem, family problems, relationship and interpersonal skills and anger management
    • Counsel students in crisis situations such as dealing with the death of a friend or family member, suicidal tendencies and abuse situations
    • May supervise peer counselling programs in school settings
    • May supervise field experience for graduate students in counselling
    • May teach regular classes.
  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in counselling, career development, education or social sciences is required for counsellors in school settings.
    • A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required.
    • Educational counsellors in post-secondary settings require an undergraduate degree and may require a graduate degree. A particular academic specialization may also be required.
    • In Quebec, membership in L'Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation et des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec is mandatory to use the title ''counsellor''.
    • A teacher's certificate in the province of employment and some teaching experience is usually required for counsellors in school settings.
    • Educational counsellors in colleges and universities may require licensing from a provincial regulatory body governing psychologists, educational counsellors or social workers.
  • Additional information

    • Elementary school counsellors generally provide more social and personal counselling whereas academic counselling is provided more by high school counsellors.
    • Educational counsellors in colleges, universities and other settings may specialize in academic, career or personal issues counselling.
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