101 Bloor Street West
Toronto ON, M5S 0A1
P: 416-961-8800
Toll Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1-888-534-2222
F: 416-961-8822
info@oct.ca

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Find a Teacher

Information Sessions for Teachers Educated Outside of Ontario

The College offers information sessions to help teachers who would like to work in Ontario. More information about each session can be found below:

Applying to the College

If you need help understanding the application process, please join us for an online information session designed for internationally educated teachers who will apply for certification.

Staff from the Membership Services department will answer questions submitted at the time of registration and in the chat.

Before the session, please:

The online video outlines the application process and required documents in detail.

How to register: Please complete and submit a registration form by clicking on the date of the session you wish to attend.

Ask us questions: You can submit your questions in advance when you fill out your registration form.

Please register early as space is limited. If the session is full, please register for the next scheduled session.

Please note that all sessions will be 60 minutes long unless otherwise indicated.

Obtaining Documents to Complete Your Application

This information session is offered online and is designed for internationally educated teachers who have applied to the College and need more information on how to obtain documents.

In this session, we will:

  • guide you through our document requirements
  • highlight documents that must be sent directly from granting institutions, such as academic transcripts and statements of professional standing
  • discuss the required documents, acceptable formats, and our translation policy
  • provide tips on how to obtain documents from international institutions.

To prepare for the session:

How to register: Please complete and submit a registration form by clicking on the date of the session you wish to attend. You will be required to indicate your application/registration number. If you have not already applied to the College and need help understanding the application process, please attend the “Applying to the College” session.”

Ask us questions: You can submit your questions in advance when you fill out your registration form.

Please register early as space is limited. If the session is full, please register for the next scheduled session.

Please note that all sessions will be 30 minutes.

Preparing to Teach in Ontario

If you are an internationally educated teacher and have been certified by the College, you are invited to an online information session for new members of the College.

This session provides information on the following topics:

  • Understanding your Certificate of Qualification and Registration and conditions
  • Adding qualifications to your Certificate of Qualification and Registration
  • Understanding your professional responsibilities as a member of the College
  • Accessing ongoing learning through Additional Qualification courses
  • Applying for teaching positions in Ontario district school boards and school authorities

To attend the session, you must have paid the annual membership fee and be a member in good standing of the College.

During the session, College staff and school board representatives will answer questions submitted at the time of registration as well as in the session’s chat.

Before the session, please watch the following videos:

View the complete list of district school boards and authorities in Ontario.

How to register: Please complete and submit a registration form by clicking on the date of the session you wish to attend. Your membership number is required to register. If you are not certified and your application is still in process, you may consider registering for the session “Obtaining Documents to Complete Your Application” session.

Ask us questions: You can submit your questions in advance when you fill out your registration form.

Please register early as space is limited. If the session is full, please register for the next scheduled session.

Please note that all sessions will be 60 minutes.

Tips for new OCTs

See the document for more details

  1. How do I stay current on College news affecting my practice?

    Read Your College and You – our member newsletter – delivered via email each month.

    The OCT designation was entrenched into law by the Government of Ontario in 2021. It is a first for educators in Canada.

  2. I worked hard to be part of the teaching profession. How do I show that I am a qualified teaching professional?

    Use your professional designation, OCT (Ontario Certified Teacher), beside your name in your correspondence with parents, caregivers, potential employers, colleagues, and other recipients to distinguish yourself as a qualified teaching professional. You’ve earned it!

    The OCT designation was entrenched into law by the Government of Ontario in 2021. It is a first for educators in Canada.

  3. How do I access College services?

    Your member account gives you access to various services such as printing or downloading your tax receipt and teaching certificate, updating your personal information and more. The E-Services section on the College’s website makes it easy to pay your membership fee and offers several resources for members.

    The E-Services section on the College’s website makes it easy to pay your membership fee and offers several resources for members.

  4. How do I update my information?

    Let us know if you have changed your name, contact or employer information. College bylaws require you to do so within 30 days of any changes. Visit oct.ca → Members → Forms.

  5. Where do I find advice for my professional practice?

    The College’s professional advisories provide practical advice that is designed to support your professional practice. Topics include:

    • Anti-Black Racism
    • Professional Boundaries
    • Responding to the Bullying of Students
    • Supporting Students Mental Health
    • Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media
  6. My teaching certificate has a condition. What do I need to do?

    Visit oct.ca → Members → Fulling Certificate Conditions.

  7. I noticed that my College certificate has a notation to complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program. How should I proceed?

    Visit oct.ca → Becoming a Teacher → Requirements → Sexual Abuse Prevention Program.

  8. How can I advance my teaching skills or get qualified in another division?

    Find an AQ will help you find additional qualification courses that suit your professional learning goals.

  9. To support my practice, I am looking for magazines, books, ebooks, and research options. Does the College have a resource lending service?

    Yes. Log into your member account to access the Margaret Wilson Library. Questions? Ask the librarian at library@oct.ca.

  10. As a member of the teaching profession, am I held to different standards?

    Yes. Ethical standards, standards of practice and the professional learning framework describe what it means to be a member of Ontario’s teaching profession. They articulate the goals and aspirations of the profession.

    The professional misconduct regulation defines what actions, or failures to act, constitute professional misconduct on the part of Ontario Certified Teachers.

  11. I want my classroom to look lively, inspiring and reflect my commitment to professionalism. Any suggestions?

    You can download and print our popular Anishinaabe art posters. They profile the profession’s ethical standards (care, trust, respect, integrity) and standards of practice from an Indigenous perspective.

  12. I would like to reflect on and generate discussions with students and colleagues on the ethical standards. Any ideas?

    Get inspired by the Ethical Standards through Rotinonhsyón:ni artistic images.

    You can also learn more about Indigenous educational wellness and environmental consciousness & eco justice.

  13. Someone filed a complaint/concern about me. What do I do?

    While complaints/concerns against teachers are rare (less than 1%), the College is responsible for resolving all cases of professional misconduct.

    Visit oct.ca → Members → Complaints and Discipline.

  14. I would like to search for someone who has been certified to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded schools.

    Use our Find a Teacher tool to search the College’s public register.

Applying to the College
Language Session Dates Please register before:
English November 26, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. November 19, 2024
English January 28, 2025 at 1:30 pm January 21, 2025
French February 25, 2025 at 1:30 pm February 18, 2025
English  April 1, 2025 at 1:30 pm March 25, 2025
French  April 29, 2025 at 1:30 pm April 22, 2025
English May 27, 2025 at 1:30 pm May 20, 2025
French June 24, 2025 at 1:30 pm June 17, 2025
Obtaining Documents to Complete Your Application
Language Session Dates Please register before:
English
November 25, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
November 18, 2024
English January 27, 2025 at 1:30 pm January 20, 2025
French  February 24, 2025 at 1:30 pm February 17, 2025
English March 31, 2025 at 1:30 pm March 24, 2025
French April 28, 2025 at 1:30 pm April 21, 2025
English May 26, 2025 at 1:30 pm May 19, 2025
French  June 23, 2025 at 1:30 pm June 16, 2025
Preparing to Teach in Ontario
Language Session Dates Please register before:
English
 November 28, 2024 at 1:30 p.m November 21, 2024
English  January 30, 2025 at 1:30 pm January 23, 2025
French  February 27, 2025 at 1:30 pm February 20,2025
English
 April 3, 2025 at 1:30 pm March 27, 2025
French   May 1, 2025 at 1:30 pm April 24, 2025
English
 May 29, 2025 at 1:30 pm May 22, 2025
French
 June 26, 2025 at 1:30 pm June 19, 2025

Please check this page regularly for new session dates and times.

101 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 0A1

Client Services:

Telephone: 416.961.8800

Toll-Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1.888.534.2222

info@oct.ca

All Other Inquiries:

Telephone: 437.880.3000

Toll-Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1.833.966.5588

info@oct.ca

© 2024 Ontario College of Teachers

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