Education

How to Become a Secondary School Teacher – Social Sciences (History/Geography) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook

by Occupations.ca Team
12 min read

Have you ever pictured yourself helping teens make sense of the past and the world around them? As a Secondary School Teacher in Social Sciences (History/Geography) in Ontario, you guide students to think critically, ask questions, and connect local communities to global issues. If you enjoy stories, maps, inquiry, and lively discussion, this might be the right path for you.

Job Description

Secondary School Teachers in Social Sciences (History/Geography) teach courses mainly within the Ontario curriculum areas of Canadian and World Studies (History, Geography, Civics, Law, Politics, Economics) and, depending on your qualifications and your school’s timetable, may also teach related courses such as Social Sciences and Humanities. You can be certified to teach Grades 7–10 (Junior/Intermediate) or Grades 7–12 (Intermediate/Senior). To teach Grade 11–12 History or Geography, you need Intermediate/Senior qualifications.

You will design lessons aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, build students’ inquiry and research skills, assess and evaluate learning, and create an inclusive classroom where all learners feel respected and challenged.

Key references:

Daily work activities

In a typical week, you might:

  • Plan and deliver lessons using inquiry-based learning and culturally responsive strategies.
  • Guide research, discussions, debates, simulations (e.g., Model UN), and geographic fieldwork.
  • Teach map skills, spatial thinking, data visualization, and basic GIS tools.
  • Integrate Indigenous perspectives and local histories, aligned with Truth and Reconciliation.
  • Assess learning through projects, essays, presentations, field notes, and tests.
  • Provide feedback, track achievement, and report using board-approved platforms.
  • Support students with IEPs and English language learners with accommodations.
  • Communicate with parents/guardians and student support teams.
  • Supervise duty and help with clubs, sports, or field trips (e.g., museum visits, neighbourhood walks).
  • Use technology (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Brightspace by D2L) to manage classes and learning.
  • Collaborate with colleagues on common assessments and school improvement goals.

Main tasks (bullet points)

  • Develop unit plans that meet curriculum expectations for History/Geography.
  • Create a safe, inclusive classroom that reflects diverse identities and viewpoints.
  • Teach critical thinking, source analysis, and media literacy.
  • Teach geographic inquiry: asking questions, collecting evidence, analyzing spatial data.
  • Design and mark assessments; maintain accurate records.
  • Differentiate Instruction for varied learning needs.
  • Integrate e-learning and digital citizenship skills; support students in mandatory online learning credits: https://www.ontario.ca/page/online-learning-graduation-requirement
  • Organize experiential learning (guest speakers, local field studies).
  • Participate in professional learning (NTIP, AQs, school PD).
  • Follow all school board and Ministry policies (e.g., assessment, Safety, privacy).

Required Education

To teach in an Ontario publicly funded school, you must be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). There are two main steps:

  1. Earn an acceptable undergraduate degree.
  2. Complete an OCT-approved teacher education program (usually two years).
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OCT requirements:

Diplomas

  • Bachelor’s Degree (undergraduate) in a relevant field (e.g., History, Geography, Political Science, Environmental Studies, International Development). For Intermediate/Senior certification, you need two teachable subjects (your “first teachable” and “second teachable”) with specific amounts of university coursework in each, set by the faculty of education you apply to.
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd) or equivalent initial teacher education credential approved by OCT (some programs, like OISE, award a Master of Teaching instead of a BEd, but it is accepted for certification).
  • Optional: Additional Qualifications (AQs/ABQs) after certification to add subjects or deepen skills (e.g., Special Education, ESL, e-Learning, Guidance, History IS, Geography IS).

Tip: For Intermediate/Senior, most faculties require more credits in your first teachable than your second. Always check each faculty’s current teachable credit rules.

Length of studies

  • Undergraduate degree: typically 4 years (honours degree recommended for flexibility with teachables and graduate study options).
  • Teacher education program: 2 years (consecutive) with at least 80 days of supervised practicum; many programs exceed this minimum.
  • If you pursue AQs after certification, each course typically runs one semester (part-time).

Where to study? (Ontario faculties of education)

Initial Teacher Education (Intermediate/Senior and/or Junior/Intermediate streams):

Additional Qualifications (AQ/ABQ) providers and Information:

  • Ontario College of Teachers – AQs: https://www.oct.ca/members/additional-qualifications
  • Many faculties above offer AQs such as History (Intermediate, Senior), Geography (Intermediate, Senior), Special Education Part 1–3, ESL, Guidance, and Teaching and Learning through e-Learning.

Other useful links:

Salary and Working Conditions

Salaries in Ontario’s publicly funded boards are set by unionized collective agreements and vary by board. Your pay depends on your salary category (based on your academic credentials, evaluated by QECO for public boards or OECTA Certification for Catholic boards) and your experience step.

Typical ranges (approximate, as of recent Ontario grids):

  • Entry-level (newly certified, Category A1–A4 varies by evaluation): about $50,000–$65,000 annually.
  • Experienced (top of grid after 10–12 years, Category A4): about $95,000–$110,000+ annually.

Other compensation and conditions:

  • Daily occasional (supply) rates vary by board, often in the $250–$320/day range.
  • Long-Term Occasional (LTO) roles usually follow the salary grid pro-rated.
  • Benefits (extended health, dental) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) for permanent/LTO contracts: https://www.otpp.com
  • Paid preparation time and planning periods as set by collective agreements.
  • Most extracurriculars are voluntary and unpaid, but valued in hiring and promotion.

Work environment:

Job outlook:

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Workload and schedule:

  • Full-time teachers usually teach multiple sections per semester, with preparation and Supervision duties.
  • Expect extra time for planning and marking, especially around major assessments.
  • Possibility of evening events (parent-teacher interviews, school activities) and field trips.

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Communication: clear instructions, constructive feedback, and parent/guardian outreach.
  • Classroom Management: fair routines, positive tone, restorative practices.
  • Cultural competency: anti-oppressive and inclusive pedagogy; integrating diverse voices.
  • Collaboration: planning with department teams; contributing to school initiatives.
  • Adaptability: flexible lesson design; responsive to student needs and current events.
  • Empathy and patience: supporting adolescent development and well-being.
  • Organization: unit planning, marking cycles, and deadlines.

Hard skills

  • Ontario Curriculum knowledge in Canadian and World Studies; awareness of policy updates.
  • Assessment literacy aligned to Growing Success (triangulation: observations, conversations, products).
  • Research and inquiry methods; historical thinking concepts; geographic inquiry process.
  • GIS and spatial tools (e.g., introductory ArcGIS Online), data visualization, map interpretation.
  • Technology integration (LMS like Brightspace; Google Workspace/Microsoft 365; virtual classrooms).
  • Special Education and ESL strategies: accommodations, modifications, UDL.
  • Safety and supervision for fieldwork and excursions (risk management and approvals).
  • Professional Compliance: OCT standards, privacy, online-learning policies, EQAO literacy support.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

  • Meaningful impact: help students interpret the past and understand today’s world.
  • Strong professional community: department teams, subject associations, and unions.
  • Good compensation and benefits: competitive salary, benefits, and OTPP pension.
  • Professional growth: AQs, Leadership roles, curriculum writing, department head opportunities.
  • Varied teaching: blend of classroom discussion, field studies, digital projects, and experiential learning.

Disadvantages:

  • Competitive hiring in some regions and subjects (History is popular; Geography may have steadier demand).
  • Workload peaks: marking essays/projects and preparing for multiple preps.
  • Behavior and mental health challenges: requires resilience and strong support systems.
  • Non-instructional duties: supervision, administrative tasks, and meetings add to time demands.
  • Occasional-to-permanent pathway: many new teachers start in supply or LTO roles before securing permanent contracts.

Expert Opinion

If you’re aiming to become a Secondary School Teacher in History/Geography in Ontario, plan your path early and be strategic.

  • Choose an undergraduate major aligned with your first teachable (e.g., History or Geography). Build your second teachable through minors or clusters (e.g., Political Science, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies). Keep transcripts and course outlines—faculties of education may request them.
  • Apply to Intermediate/Senior programs if you want to teach Grade 11–12. If you choose Junior/Intermediate, remember you’ll be limited to up to Grade 10 in designated subjects unless you later add Senior through ABQs.
  • During your teacher education program, seek practicum placements that match your goals (e.g., a mix of History and Geography, urban and rural schools, English or French settings). Treat your practicum like a long interview—arrive prepared, ask for feedback, and show initiative with clubs or field trips.
  • Upgrade wisely: take Additional Qualifications that align to hiring needs (History IS, Geography IS, Special Education Part 1, ESL Part 1, Teaching and Learning through e-Learning). These improve your classroom practice and can make you more marketable.
  • Learn modern tools: basic GIS, data visualization, and inquiry frameworks set you apart. Many boards value teachers who can connect local field studies with digital mapping and real-world data.
  • Build a portfolio: include sample unit plans, assessment rubrics, differentiated tasks, and artifacts that show culturally responsive teaching and integration of Indigenous perspectives. Be ready to discuss how you assess learning using triangulation (observations, conversations, products).
  • Network locally: follow your target boards’ postings (ApplyToEducation and board websites), attend board information sessions, and keep your Vulnerable Sector Check up to date. Tailor your resume to each board’s priorities (e.g., de-streaming, literacy, experiential learning).
  • For internationally educated teachers: start early with OCT credential evaluation and language proficiency requirements. You may need to complete additional coursework or a bridging pathway. See: https://www.oct.ca/becoming-a-teacher/requirements/outside-ontario
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Above all, show a love of the subject, a commitment to student voice, and the capacity to make history and geography relevant to students’ lives.

FAQ

Can I teach History or Geography if my degree is not exactly in those subjects?

Often yes. For Intermediate/Senior programs, faculties look for a set number of university credits in each teachable. A major in Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, or Urban Studies can work if you have enough courses that align with History or Geography expectations. Check each faculty’s teachable credit requirements and be ready to provide course descriptions. If you are already certified, you may add History or Geography through Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQ) for Intermediate and Senior divisions.

Do I need French to become a Secondary Social Sciences teacher in Ontario?

No, but French opens more doors. There is strong demand for teachers who are qualified in French Immersion, Core French, and in French-language boards. If you have intermediate-to-advanced French, consider French-language programs or adding French AQs later. Board associations: ACEPO (French public): https://www.acepo.org and AFOCSC (French Catholic): https://www.afocsc.org

How do I move up the salary grid faster?

Your salary category is determined by your academic credentials, not teaching performance. Submit your documents to the appropriate evaluator:

Completing additional approved university credits, AQs/ABQs, or a master’s degree can improve your category. Experience steps increase annually as defined by your collective agreement.

What is the difference between Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior for History/Geography?

  • Junior/Intermediate (Grades 4–10): You can teach classes up to Grade 10 in your subject area(s). This pathway can be great if you enjoy Grade 7–8 History/Geography.
  • Intermediate/Senior (Grades 7–12): You can teach up to Grade 12 in your teachable(s), including Grade 11–12 History and Geography. This is usually preferred if you want to focus on senior academic and university-level courses.

You can add senior qualifications later through ABQs.

How is e-learning changing the work of a Social Sciences teacher?

Ontario requires two online learning credits for most high school students (with an opt-out option). Many schools run e-learning or hybrid classes. As a History/Geography Teacher, you may be asked to develop or deliver online courses using platforms like Brightspace. Consider the AQ “Teaching and Learning through e-Learning” and build skills in digital content creation, online assessment, and student engagement. Policy info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/online-learning-graduation-requirement

What checks or registrations do I need before I can be hired?

You must be in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) from your local police service. Many boards require the VSC to be updated regularly and may ask for additional Training (e.g., privacy, workplace safety, concussion protocols). Start early, as VSC processing can take time.

Will I have to support standardized assessments?

At secondary, you may help prepare students for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and support school literacy goals. Learn the assessment format and strategies to build reading and writing skills across history and geography. EQAO (OSSLT): https://www.eqao.com

If you are ready to take the next step toward becoming a Secondary School Teacher in Social Sciences (History/Geography) in Ontario, explore OCT requirements, compare teacher education programs, and start shaping your teachables and experiences to match your goals. Remember: strong subject knowledge, inclusive teaching, and practical inquiry skills will help you stand out—both in the classroom and in the hiring process.

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