K-12 hiring seasons at a glance
The school year drives the hiring cycle, though timing varies by province and board. Here's what each window means for your job search.
January – March
Supply list intake opens
Many boards open applications for next year's supply, occasional and teacher-on-call lists in late winter, and some close intake early once a list is full. Postings for French, French Immersion, math, sciences, technological education and special education tend to appear first.
- Have your provincial certification in hand or in progress — boards ask for it before they hire
- Apply to every board within commuting distance; supply lists are not exclusive
- Start your criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening early
- Set up job alerts so an intake window does not close before you see it
April – June
Staffing season and contract postings
Boards run their spring staffing process: teachers transfer between schools, surplus staff are placed, and the positions left over are posted. Collective agreements set the order, so external candidates often see contract postings after internal ones. Many new graduates join supply lists in this window.
- Check each board's careers page and ApplyToEducation weekly; BC districts also post on Make a Future
- Tailor your application to the board's needs, such as French or special education
- Have references ready for a screening interview
- Take supply and long-term assignments — many boards count days taught toward longer ones
July – August
Late postings before September
Retirements, late resignations and enrolment changes open a second round of postings over the summer. Boards also add to their daily supply lists ahead of the first day of school.
- Check board postings weekly — summer roles appear with little notice
- Keep your availability current so boards can reach you for interviews
- Look at northern and rural boards, which often recruit year-round
- Finish any board orientation paperwork before September
September
Enrolment settles
Once classes begin, boards confirm enrolment and adjust staffing, which can add classes and assignments in the first weeks of the term.
- Be available for same-day supply calls in the first weeks
- Tell principals you work with that you want a longer assignment
- Keep references from spring and summer assignments current
October – December
Leaves and long-term assignments
Parental leaves, medical leaves and resignations open long-term assignments through the fall and winter. Ontario calls these long-term occasional (LTO) assignments; other provinces call them extended or replacement assignments. A strong long-term assignment is a common route to a contract.
- Keep your profile published so principals can find you
- Ask how long an assignment runs before you accept — longer ones are often paid on the salary grid
- Ask principals about spring staffing plans during the assignment
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about school board hiring timelines and the job search process
When is the best time to apply for a teaching job in Canada?
Spring is the busiest window. Many boards take applications for supply and occasional lists in late winter and spring, and post contract positions once their internal staffing process wraps up. Timing varies by province and board, so check each board's intake dates.
How do most teachers get hired by a Canadian school board?
Most start on a supply list — occasional teaching in Ontario, teacher on call in BC, substitute teaching in Alberta — then move into longer assignments and a contract. Working with more than one board is the usual way to build days taught and references.
Do I need provincial certification before I apply?
For publicly funded schools, yes. Boards ask for your provincial certification, such as Ontario College of Teachers membership or a BC teaching certificate, before they hire you. During a shortage a board can request temporary permission for someone without it; in Ontario this is a letter of permission.
Where do Canadian school boards post teaching jobs?
Most boards post on their own careers pages and through ApplyToEducation. BC districts also post on Make a Future.
Can I get a teaching job mid-year?
Yes. Parental leaves, medical leaves and resignations open long-term assignments through the fall and winter, and a strong assignment often leads to a contract offer.
Ready to start your search?
Set up job alerts to hear the moment a matching role is posted, and publish your profile so school boards can find you before you apply.