January 2007
January 2007, Issue 33
Your College and You
Thank you for your interest in receiving breaking news and professional information from the Ontario College of Teachers.
In this Issue:
College's final report recommends regulatory changes to ensure teachers continue to be well prepared to assist students in their learning.
Preparing Teachers for Tomorrow - The Review of Teachers' Qualifications
You can find the final report of the College's review of teachers' qualifications, Preparing Teachers for Tomorrow: The Final Report, on our web site now.
The report describes the rationale and the process for conducting the review, which began 20 months ago, and includes the Council recommendations for regulatory changes to ensure that teachers continue to be well prepared to assist students in their learning.
Recommended regulatory changes include increasing the length of the practicum from 40 to 60 days, extending pre-service programs from eight to 10 months, making special education a required part of initial teacher education, refreshing the additional qualifications (AQ) schedules and introducing new AQ courses to meet our members' needs.
The College is moving forward on a number of other recommended changes to initial and continuing teacher education practices that have a positive impact on teacher education.
The recommendations grew out of an extensive review and consultation process with College members, provincial education stakeholders and other groups across Ontario.
Council's approved recommendations were forwarded to the Minister of Education and College staff have begun work with ministry officials to implement the recommendations approved by Council.
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Reminder - You are invited to our Standards Forum
In 2005-2006, the College undertook a review of the existing standards of practice and ethical standards, drawing on significant input from members of the profession, education partners and the public. On June 8, 2006, Council approved the revised standards.
The College is now committed to increasing the awareness and understanding of the revised standards among its members.
You are invited to a regional forum that will introduce the standards and provide a framework for their integration into your professional practice.
You will learn all about the revised ethical standards and standards of practice, including:
- key changes that reflect and affect you as a teacher
- how to integrate the revised standards in your day-to-day practice
- their significance for teacher education and the teaching profession.
The meeting schedule is:
Toronto
January 20
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Sudbury
February 3
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Ottawa
February 10
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
To attend a session in your area, complete the registration form and send it to the address indicated on the form.
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Nominate An Outstanding Educator for a Premier's Award
Time is running out to nominate an educator for one of 10 Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence.
You have until January 31 to nominate someone who demonstrates dedication and a passion for education. The awards honour exceptional teachers, principals, vice-principals and education support staff across Ontario.
Categories include:
- teacher of the year
- outstanding new teacher
- excellence in special needs
- excellence in teaching literacy and numeracy
- contribution to school leadership
- excellence in teaching support
- lifetime achievement.
Download the nomination form at ontario.ca/teachingawards.
CTV's Canada AM co-host Seamus O'Regan chairs the selection panel, which includes a teacher, principal, student and parent. Recipients will be recognized at a special event this spring.
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Send Us Your Calendar Listings
You've seen the listings in Professionally Speaking and on the College web site. Now you can reach thousands of teachers by e-mailing your conference/workshop listings to library@oct.ca. We are particularly interested in receiving listings for Ontario-based programs.
Looking for a workshop or conference to attend this year? As part of its member services, the library regularly posts an extensive list of conference/workshop listings on the College web site and in Professionally Speaking.
You can also request books and videos from the College library online, check the status of your holds, renew materials you've checked out and create your own library lists. Simply log into your Members' Area account and choose "Your Library" to access your new customized library page.
We will mail books and videos postage-free to your home or school address. Using a special-return mailing label, you can mail books back to the library free of charge.
See more information regarding the library and its resources or e-mail library@oct.ca.
Olivia Hamilton
Ontario College of Teachers
Margaret Wilson Library
121 Bloor St. E.
Toronto ON M4W 3M5
Phone: 416-961-8800 ext. 679 or 1-888-534-2222 ext. 679
Fax: 416-961-9838
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