Loading...
4
Required Items
4
Optional/Recommended
A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement to work as a classroom supervisor (substitute teacher) in Nova Scotia. A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) is preferred and may qualify candidates for higher pay rates, but it is not required. Due to ongoing teacher shortages, regional centres for education across Nova Scotia are actively hiring classroom supervisors who do not hold a B.Ed. degree. Classroom supervisors perform the same day-to-day duties as substitute teachers, including following lesson plans, managing classrooms, and supervising students. Candidates with post-secondary education in any field, relevant work experience with children, or educational assistant credentials may be given preference during the hiring process.
A Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to employment as a substitute teacher. The check must be obtained from a local police agency or the RCMP. A Child Abuse Register Check through the Department of Community Services may also be required.
Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, the age of majority in Nova Scotia. This is a prerequisite for obtaining teacher certification and accepting substitute teaching assignments within the province.
Candidates apply directly to individual regional centres for education in Nova Scotia to be placed on the classroom supervisor or substitute teacher roster. Most boards accept applications through their online portals or human resources departments. The typical application requires a resume, proof of education (high school diploma or higher), a current Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, government-issued photo identification, and two to three professional references. Some boards may also require a brief interview or orientation session before adding candidates to their active roster. Processing times vary by board but generally range from two to six weeks.
A provincial teaching certificate is not required to work as a classroom supervisor in Nova Scotia. Candidates who hold a valid Nova Scotia Teaching Certificate issued by Office of Teacher Certification may be offered preferential placement, higher daily pay rates, or priority access to long-term assignments. However, the classroom supervisor role was created specifically to address teacher shortages by allowing individuals without formal teaching credentials to fill substitute positions. School boards set their own criteria for classroom supervisors, and requirements may vary between regional centres for education.
English is the primary language of instruction in Nova Scotia. The Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) operates Francophone schools and requires substitute teachers to be fluent in French. Acadian French language and cultural competency are valued for placements in CSAP schools.
Regional centres for education may require substitute teachers to complete an orientation covering emergency procedures, inclusive education policies, technology systems for managing assignments, and expectations for professional conduct in the classroom.
Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification is recommended for substitute teachers and may be required by individual regional centres. It is particularly relevant for assignments involving outdoor education, physical education, or schools in areas with limited emergency services.
For more information, visit the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development page. Note: Classroom supervisor positions may have different requirements than certified teaching positions. Contact individual regional centres for education directly for the most current classroom supervisor hiring criteria.
Our courses are designed to help you meet all the requirements for substitute teacher training.