| SEPTEMBER 2018 | PROTECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST |
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| | In this edition: | Helpful online resources | | Focus groups with parents | | Duty to Report advisory updates | | 2017 Annual Report | | Myth/Fact |
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| | | Celebrating great teaching | | Council Chair and Vice-Chair elected | | Come talk to us | | Invite a speaker | | In the community |
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| | | | Engaging parents across Ontario This summer, the College held focus groups with parents and teachers to gauge their knowledge of the College’s mandate, their preferred topics for our next professional advisory and their opinions on a number of communication products and initiatives. The feedback from English and French participants across Ontario will inform how we can better serve the public as the regulatory body for Ontario’s teaching profession. |
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| Protecting children and youth In 2015, the College issued Duty to Report, aprofessional advisory to remind Ontario Certified Teachers about their duty to report abuse and/or neglect of children and youth. In July, we updated the advisory to reflect the introduction of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA). In addition to updating the CYFSA references, the revisions reflect the increase in the maximum fine for non-compliance. It also clarifies that although the duty to report does not apply to youth who are 16 or 17, teachers can still report to Children’s Aid Societies if they are concerned that students in this age group are in need of protection. |
| | | See standards, statistics and more in our annual report Want to better understand how the teaching profession in Ontario is regulated and how teacher standards are set? Check out our latest annual report, which includes an overview of the ways in which the College governs the profession, relevant industry statistics, member demographics, and committee and financial reports. |
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| Myth/Fact Myth: Only teachers can be members of the College's governing body. Fact: Council is made up of 23 members of the College elected by their peers and 14 members of the public appointed by the provincial government. Council develops and approves policies that regulate the teaching profession in Ontario. |
| | | Celebrating great teaching The teachers featured in our Great Teaching series embody the standards of practice and the ethical standards set out by the College. In this latest instalment, see how Robert Flosman, OCT, helps students find their place in history. |
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| Meet our new Council leaders In July, the eighth College Council held its inaugural meeting where they elected the new Chair of Council, Nicole van Woudenberg, OCT, and Vice-Chair, TimGernstein, OCT. Van Woudenberg, who holds an Honours BA, a B.Ed. and an MA, is a Special Education co-ordinator with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. She liaises with ministry staff, collaborates with colleagues from regional boards and develops Special Education protocols and resources to support new and experienced teachers. Gernstein, who holds a BA with Special Honours, a B.Ed. and M.Ed., is an elementary teacher with the York Region District School Board. He has taught in the primary, junior and intermediate panels at four York Region elementary schools, working as a supply, rotary, homeroom, reading recovery and regular classroom teacher. Council also appointed Chairs and members for each of its 14 committees. |
| | | Come talk to us! Do you have a topic related to the College's work or activities that you would like to present to our Council? Council invites public presentations at its quarterly meetings and at its annual meeting of members. |
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| Invite a speaker Looking for a speaker for your next school council meeting? The College can connect you with experts on teaching standards and other topics related to protecting the public interest. This service is available free across Ontario. For more information, please email us at [email protected]. |
| | | In the community The College attends events to raise awareness about its role to protect the public, which includes managing risks to safeguard student safety and promoting the high standards that guide our members. Have a question? Come talk with us at an event near you! Telling Tales Festival, Rockton, Ont., September 16 Word on the Street Festival, Toronto, September 23 Toronto Baby Show, Toronto, October 13–14 Baby Time Show, Mississauga, Ont., November 16–18 |
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