We heard this from a London parent — who was clearly speaking for many — during a series of focus groups the College organized with parents and College members across Ontario.

The findings from this research were reinforced in the LeSage report.

In August 2011, the College commissioned former Ontario Chief Justice Patrick LeSage to carry out a wide-ranging review of its disciplinary policies and practices. Early in his work, Mr. LeSage began to raise questions about the College’s communications to the public and its efforts to raise awareness of its role.

He and Senior Counsel K. Lynn Mahoney questioned if the public was aware of the role of the College in investigating matters of professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity, and how public awareness could be improved, if at all.

The College is almost completely unknown to the public in Ontario.

The LeSage report’s first of 49 recommendations was that the College develop a communications strategy to increase its public awareness of the College and its mandate. The College Council has accepted this recommendation.

We recognize that the public would be better served knowing the role of the College and what that really means to them. As a profession, we are regulating ourselves in the public interest but the usefulness of our role is diminished if the public isn’t aware of it.

We’ve been around for 16 years and nobody knows we exist. I really think that an organization, like anything, becomes known when it becomes relevant.

So, most people out there would not need to know what the College is for. Our newer members who have had to apply to the College for a licence had first contact with the College at the commencement of their career.

Those of us whose files were transferred over from the Ministry probably think about the College in January when our membership fee is deducted from our pay. So, why would anyone expect a member of the public to be aware of what we do?

As a member of the profession, do you believe that it is in the public interest for the public to know that we are here…for them? This is what Justice LeSage recommended first and foremost.

The hardest thing to reconcile when you are a teacher is how vulnerable you are to scrutiny — by parents, students, colleagues and employers.

When I joined the College as a Council member, I was told that we weren’t on anyone’s radar. I really didn’t understand the significance of the statement until I started examining the report of the former Chief Justice.

It was then that I truly began to look at our College from a different perspective — the public’s point of view.

The hardest thing to reconcile when you are a teacher is how vulnerable you are to scrutiny — by parents, students, colleagues and employers. As we provide a public service we are open to criticism, questioning and yes, even unfounded conjecture.

Nevertheless, self-regulation is a privilege that we want to maintain. That means that we have to do our best to promote who we are.

Council recently underwent a strategic planning session to set the parameters around a communication strategy that the College will undertake.

I encourage you to look for ways that you can help out. Start by bragging about your credentials to parents next September. Post your Certificate of Qualification and Registration in your classroom, or tell parents and students to look you up at oct.ca/findateacher.

They will be impressed by what they see!

Ontario of College Teachers