Doug Wilson New College Registrar
If
nice guys cant finish first, what on earth is Doug Wilson doing at
the helm of the Ontario College of Teachers?
Friends and colleagues dont hesitate with praise, describing him as wise and hard-working, a champion of high standards and exemplary practices and true friend to the profession. Doug Wilson was appointed Registrar at the end of March 2003, having served for two years as Deputy Registrar and, since joining the College in 1999, as Manager of Standards of Practice and Education. The appointment caps a 35-year career in public education as teacher, department head, vice-principal, principal, curriculum consultant and supervisory officer with the Durham District School Board. As co-author of seven Canadian history textbooks for Oxford University Press, Wilson has enriched the lives of thousands of Canadian students. And while he is duly proud of his accomplishment as an author, he considers some of those made as a team member his crowning achievements in education. In 1996, Wilson then supervisory officer responsible for staff development in Durham District School Board was present in Gütersloh, Germany, when his board won the Carl Bertelsmann Prize, awarded for outstanding systems in a variety of fields. The focus of that years competition had been education and the German-based foundation set out to find school systems that had "exemplary frameworks for school development." The sole North American nominee, Durham beat out school systems in Scotland, the Netherlands, Norway, Hungary, Switzerland and New Zealand, receiving both recognition and a monetary prize of $300,000. "That was one of my happiest moments because it recognized 10 years of dedicated service to the kids and parents of Durham," Wilson says. "The really nice thing is that we did the work without ever realizing that there was such an award. We simply believed in what we were doing." His philosophy hasnt changed. "Most rewards in education arent measurable anyway," he says. "You just do the job before you as best you can, period." Building Rapport Wilson claims that, as a teacher, he had a reputation among the kids for straying off-topic easily. But his diversions into current events and popular culture always wove back into the lesson and they were integral to building rapport. For him, getting to know students as individuals was as important as course content. He served as staff advisor to school Reach for the Top teams and student councils. Participation, reliability and his generous nature, rather than career planning, have always been Wilsons strengths. Do the job before you as well as you can. Results count. Showing up Monday to Friday counts. Being personable counts. Colleagues describe him as a consultative decision-maker, but Wilson is no pushover. Conflict doesnt scare him. "You cant be a principal, supervisory officer or Deputy Registrar without putting your foot down on occasion," he says. "There was a time when vice-principals were the nasty guys, the bad cops," says Brad Cruxton, Wilsons writing partner and friend of 25 years. "Doug would never play that role. Every kid was treated fairly and he worked with staff in a very collaborative manner." At the College Wilson joined the College as Manager of the Standards of Practice and Education Unit in September 1999. He worked with the committee that approved the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession, the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession, and the Professional Learning Framework. He also oversaw the revision of all teacher in-service courses and programs identified in Regulation 184/97, Teachers Qualifications. As Deputy Registrar, Wilson advised the Registrar and senior leadership team, co-ordinated and led the project team that implemented the Professional Learning Program, and facilitated the development of the Colleges first Professional Advisory on Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct. Wilson led a campaign to take the information direct to 15 Ontario communities. "I firmly believe the College has a responsibility to give advice to its members and to the public," says Wilson. "One such topic is sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. Although we dont have a huge number of cases in relation to the number of members, when a case comes up and hits the media, it reflects on all of us and it is important that the process surrounding these issues remain transparent." Wilson is also proud of the openness and consultation process that has surrounded implementation of the Professional Learning Program and the Ontario Teacher Qualifying Test. "It was important that the College was able to ensure transparency and integrity during this time and to identify priorities what it would and would not do." He knows and champions the regulatory responsibilities of the College. But he envisions a bigger role for the College. He wants to engage in a dialogue within the profession, based on solid research, and to invite collaboration and dialogue with educations stakeholders. Moving Forward Doug Wilson wants the College to continue to strive for excellence in service to its members. He also aims to involve the College in a forward-looking vision. Research, dialogue and white papers with recommendations that can be acted on will form the basis for developing and realizing this vision. "The College has a responsibility for the teaching profession, while the federations have responsibility for advocating for teachers," he says. "Its our responsibility to identify where we want the profession to go and to talk with all stakeholders to plan how we get there. "What kind of teachers do we want and need? Whats the best way to train them? Whats the best way to keep them? District school boards are talking about setting up virtual schools. How do virtual schools fit in?
"We must be ready for the future. I dont want to continue in the same way we did things in the 60s or 70s, just because its comfortable. We have to look forward. Whats society going to look like? What are kids needs going to be? What impact will technology have? What effect will political and economic forces have on us? "The College is not going to come up with answers to these questions single-handedly. But we can start the discussion. If we dont, others will decide for us. I want the College to be an increasingly credible and recognized institution in fulfilling its responsibilities within the Ontario educational context. "The public and the government expect us to provide leadership," he says. "I realize we can only give advice. But we must do that." Issues that Wilson wants the College to address include distance education in pre-service programs and teacher induction methods (to give greater job satisfaction and make better teachers). He supports the development of a professional advisory on the use of the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession and the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession. "A review of the standards is necessary both for renewal and to test our own precepts about professional rigour." In pursuing these goals, Wilson will continue his tradition of consultation and consideration. "I think theres great strength in sharing opinions and having other peoples perspectives and experience influence what happens," he says. "I dont for a second believe that I was sprinkled with Registrar dust and all of a sudden I have infinite wisdom and decision-making ability." "Dougs
an extraordinary educator," says former College Registrar, Joe Atkinson.
"College staff, College members and members of the public admire
and trust him. I came to respect his instincts and to depend upon his
sage advice. I continue to admire his energy, stamina and work ethic.
His intellect, interpersonal skills and ability to focus on the important
issues will serve him well as Registrar." |
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