2008 annual report highlights
Professionalism in teaching
Dedication, care and a commitment to professionalism are qualities that exemplify members of the teaching profession. The College strives to demonstrate these qualities in our service to the public interest.
This year’s annual report recognizes the professionalism of our members
and the contribution each individual makes to shaping education in Ontario.
The College made important progress in 2008 on many issues that are significant
to Ontario’s teaching profession.
One that is particularly significant is the professional designation for teachers.
Teachers don’t always feel we command the same level of respect as other
professionals, such as doctors, engineers and nurses, who can immediately identify
themselves as members of their profession by the use of a professional designation.
Teaching is one of the few remaining self-regulated professions in Ontario
without a professional designation.
In September College Council approved the granting of a professional designation
to all College members on their initial registration and the continued use
of the professional designation as long as the member remains in good standing.
The College is now developing a plan to implement this new professional designation
later in 2009.
Other initiatives will improve registration practices and assist internationally
educated teachers and will continue to significantly enhance the preparation
of Ontario’s teachers and support them throughout their careers.
Professional learning
The College moved forward in implementing plans for projects related to the
Teachers’ Qualifications Review, which concluded in 2006.
Teachers told us it was time to offer more up-to-date subjects in the Additional
Qualification courses catalogue. The College listened and the results can be
seen in new qualifications, including mentoring, American Sign Language and
outdoor experiential education and teaching. Other new courses, such as leadership
in a minority setting and learning through e-learning, are certain to be very
popular among teachers.
College Council approved a professional advisory, Extending Professional Knowledge,
that explains the role Additional Qualifications play in teachers’ efforts
to continually improve their skills and knowledge.
The advisory clarifies the Additional Qualifications system for new teachers
and encourages them to make professional learning part of their career planning.
It also highlights the many new qualifications that are being introduced as
an outcome of the Teachers’ Qualifications Review.
Employment prospects
The College’s 2008 Transition to Teaching study indicates that job opportunities
for new teachers who can teach in French remain plentiful in both French-language
and English-language schools in all areas of the province.
But the province’s English-language teacher employment market is highly
competitive. There are now roughly 7,000 more certified, qualified teachers
entering the profession each year than there are retirement spots to fill.
This means that new graduates from our Ontario education faculties are taking
longer to establish their careers. And the situation is worse for those moving
to Ontario from elsewhere to start or resume their teaching careers.
Internationally educated teachers told us they’re waiting years to find
full-time work in Ontario schools.
Recognizing this, the College wants to ensure that anyone aiming to become
certified as a member of the College does not encounter any obstacle in the
process.
In September, Council approved a number of recommendations affecting teacher
certification, including streamlining the number of different teaching certificates
it issues. This will help members apply immediately for teaching positions,
whether or not they have to meet further terms, conditions and limitations.
The College also plans to remove the current requirement for teachers educated
outside Ontario to collect the equivalent of one year’s teaching experience
in Ontario schools before they can receive permanent certification.
Bilingual capacity
The College made many improvements in its bilingual capacity over the past
year in areas such as services to members, information technology and French-language
publications. The College’s second French-language services report highlights
these achievements.
Financial highlights
The College recorded a lower than planned deficit of $1,320,000 due to higher
than budgeted revenues as the number of members and new applicants continued
to grow in 2008.
Strong advertising income from Professionally Speaking also contributed to
improved revenue, reaching the $1.2 million mark in 2008 as advertisers continued
to appreciate the quality of the magazine and the audience it reaches.
Investment income deteriorated somewhat over 2007 due to the recession’s
impact on interest rates.
The College is financed primarily by members’ fees. In 2008, 219,994
members paid annual fees as the profession continued to welcome new teachers.
The higher-than-forecast membership brought in $820,000 more than budgeted.
The number of members in good standing as of December 31, 2007 was 219,819.
Council approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation that the 2007
operating deficit of $1,320,000 be financed from the Reserve for Fee Stabilization
within the Members’ Equity accounts.
Ontario College of Teachers for the year ended
December 31, 2008
(in thousands of dollars)
Revenue |
2008 $ |
2007 S |
Annual membership fees |
22,879 |
22,204 |
Other fees |
2,991 |
2,846 |
Advertising |
1,223 |
1,108 |
Amortization of deferred capital contribution |
226 |
226 |
Special projects |
179 |
103 |
Teach in Ontario Project |
1,349 |
1,305 |
Interest and other |
1,060 |
1,185 |
|
29,907 |
28,977 |
Expenses |
Employee compensation |
16,243 |
15,400 |
Council and committees |
686 |
792 |
Services to members and applicants |
3,146 |
2,955 |
Professional practice |
470 |
452 |
Investigations and hearings |
2,520 |
2,285 |
Operating support |
5,493 |
5,099 |
Teach in Ontario Project |
1,349 |
1,305 |
Amortization |
1,320 |
1,307 |
|
31,227 |
29,595 |
|