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 
Top of Page