Rocky Mountain School District (S6) will drop the requirements for teaching certificates for newly hired teachers teaching on call (TTOC).
This comes as the school district, like many others across Canada, is facing a shortage of TTOCs.
“The school district is facing difficulty in recruiting and retaining teachers who would be willing to teach on call at a level that would fill all of the absences we have in our organization,” said Steve Wyer, acting superintendent for SD6.
“When we don’t have a teacher available on call who can fill an absence, we have to pull services and supports from other areas. That impacts the district’s overall operations in a negative way.”
According to SD6 officials, the substitute teacher shortage is felt most heavily in the Windermere school zone.
Wyer said it was a difficult but necessary decision.
“It’s at the point where we want to take this unfortunate step because we always want certified teachers in front of students but I think in the end, this is a step that will allow for better continuity for students,” explained Wyre.
While TTOCs may not require a teaching certificate, applicants will still need some qualifications.
“At this point, you would need a bachelor’s degree that would qualify in a teaching area,” said Wyre.
Applicants will also need to pass a criminal record check and get a letter of permission from the Teacher Regulation Branch.
SD6 began advertising for non-certified TTOC positions on Tuesday.
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