Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The Chilliwack School District isn't the only school district resorting to using uncertified school personnel to meet staffing gaps. Fraser-Cascade School District in Hope is now looking for uncertified special education assistants to fill its staffing gaps.

By Marcus Gordon

Uncertified school district personnel

SD33 not the only district looking to hire uncertified school personnel

Jan 17, 2023 | 1:45 PM

CHILLIWACK — In the midst of concerns raised by the Chilliwack teachers union and the District Parent Advisory Council about uncertified teachers being hired by the Chilliwack School District, it appears SD33 isn’t the only school district in the Fraser Valley turning to uncertified personnel in a pinch.

Kent Elementary School in Agassiz, which forms a part of the SD78 Fraser-Cascade School District, posted on Facebook Monday (January 16) indicating that SD78 is seeking uncertified special education assistants.

“The Fraser-Cascade School District is seeking skilled and enthusiastic individuals who have a passion for working with school-aged children and adolescents to join our district as uncertified special education assistants,” the post from Kent Elementary School read.

Required qualifications and training include a high school graduation or the equivalent academic qualifications; demonstrated interest and successful experience working with children and youth; ability to understand and effectively carry out oral and written instructions; and computer knowledge is an asset.

School districts in northern B.C. have had to use uncertified school personnel previously, according to published reports.

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Fraser Valley Today reported back on November 29, 2022 that the Chilliwack School District has put out the call for uncertified teachers on call, bus drivers, and custodians.

The shortage of teachers and TTOCs, or teachers teaching on call, has been heightened by seasonal illness and sickness, amplifying the need for additional personnel to fill in for certified teachers.

According to a late November 2022 description from Make a Future, a job website utilized by school districts across B.C., “The Chilliwack School District is seeking highly skilled and dynamic individuals to join our list of Casual Uncertified Teachers Teaching on Call (TTOC). Preference will be given to individuals with a demonstrated work history or volunteer experience working with children and youth.”

Required qualifications and training include:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent academic qualifications
• Recent successful teaching experience and/or training preferred
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in working with children and youth

Applications are accepted through the Make a Future website and must include a cover letter, resume, copies of university transcripts, and names of two supervisor references.

Due to the profound need for TTOCs, SD33 has not set a deadline date since hiring will occur on an ongoing basis.

Since alerting the public, SD33 has hired approximately 50 people to fill the need for uncertified and/or certified TTOCs.

by Marcus Gordon

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SD33 not the only district looking to hire uncertified school personnel

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