Governing Ourselves

Governing Ourselves informs members of legal and regulatory matters affecting the profession. This section provides updates on licensing and qualification requirements, notification of Council resolutions and reports from various Council committees, including reports on accreditation and discipline matters.

Council Meetings

At its March 27–28 meeting, College Council approved:

that the Executive Committee assume a process for filling vacancies on statutory, regulatory, standing, special or ad hoc committees during this Council term (This will require a bylaw amendment which will be considered by Council on June 12–13, 2014.)
parameters and protocols to enable public deputations at Council meetings and annual meetings of members on a pilot basis beginning in June 2014
the appointment of Wes Vickers, OCT, as Chair of the Human Resources Committee
that the purpose and theme of the strategic plan is Strengthening Self-Regulation
a mission statement for the College, as follows: The College regulates the teaching profession in Ontario in the public interest by setting and enforcing high ethical and professional standards for its members
values for the College: -> The Ontario College of Teachers commits to:

protect the public interest
quality, excellence and professionalism
honesty and integrity
accountability and transparency
efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal responsibility
sustainability
respectfulness and teamwork between the College Council, staff and stakeholder community, each respecting the others’ role
inclusivity and respect for diversity.

Strategic Priorities for the College:

-> broaden membership engagement in the work of the College and, in particular, engage non-traditional members, including retired teachers and First Nations, Métis and Inuit teachers

-> develop strategies to facilitate the ongoing professional learning of members

-> develop a comprehensive, long-term communication plan that includes other regulators and leverages the College’s website and other communication vehicles to:

inform the public about the objectives and processes of self-regulation
develop, among the public, an appreciation of the value of self-regulation
improve the transparency of the College.

-> enhance Council and Committee effectiveness and accountability through:

professional development on good governance
clarification of the appropriate roles of Council members and staff
streamlining and improving Council’s processes
identification, review and improvement of committee practices
implementation of formal accountability measurements
initiating periodic third-party review.

an action plan and timeline for implementation of the strategic plan be drafted for Council’s consideration at the June 2014 Council meeting.

At a special meeting on January 21, 2014, College Council:

recommended to the Minister of Education that the registration and certification amendments to the Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation regarding the enhanced teacher education program be approved.