Teacher Preparation in Ontario: A History

Abstract

While teacher education has changed dramatically over the years, educators, policy-makers and the general public are largely unaware of the history of teacher preparation in the province. This history, beginning in the 19th century, tells the story of increasing professionalism over the years as Ontario adapted its system to meet a rising demand for elementary and secondary education. It is a story of authority over education, as teacher training under provincial direction became teacher education in universities, and as accreditation shifted to the Ontario College of Teachers. It is a story of reform, and the limits of reform, in the preparation of teachers for a diverse and changing world. By better understanding the history of teacher preparation in the past, we may gain insight into the present situation and imagine a better future for teacher education in Ontario.