Dynamics and determinants of the career paths of unlicensed teaching personnel in Quebec

Year:
Reference

Beaudoin M, Granger N, Lessard A. (2026). Dynamics and determinants of the career paths of unlicensed teaching personnel in Quebec. Éducation et francophonie. 54(1) : 1-13.

Abstract

In a context of teacher shortages, several education systems, including that of Quebec, are hiring individuals who are not legally qualified to teach, and whose professional integration remains poorly documented. Drawing on the trajectory method proposed by Loisy, this study is based on semi-structured interviews with 24 individuals, exploring their reasons for entering the teaching profession, their perception of how they were received and their intention to pursue this career. The results indicate that most had dreamed about teaching for a long time, and that being hired rekindled this aspiration. Others mention their desire to contribute to student success or to meet the needs of the school system. Their reception appears varied: some benefit from meaningful support, while others experience a sense of exclusion. A lack of familiarity with procedures and how the school system operates increases the need for guidance. These experiences have varying influences on their intention to continue teaching. In this sense, exploring support mechanisms, professional trajectories, and organizational practices seems essential for reconciling the management of teacher shortages with requirements for quality and equity in education systems.

DOI