York orientation for occasional teachers

On a sunny day in late October, newly hired elementary and secondary occasional teachers meet for a half-day introduction to the York Region DSB. York Region is one of the few boards in the province that continues to expand.

The teachers receive training on health and safety, WHMIS, lockdown procedures and the Safe Schools Act, Bill 157. Representatives from the District 16 OSSTF and ETFO unions are here to explain their roles.

Pamela Kennedy, who runs the group that manages the board’s hiring, supply and LTO work, explains that the requisite criminal-record checks are taking longer these days since they must be done in the city in which the candidate lives – not where they want to work. Lots of these people live in Toronto, and Kennedy has heard that it could take up to a month to get through the backlog. “If you have the same last name as someone with a conviction, the RCMP becomes involved and you’ll have to go in for fingerprinting,” she says.

Some of these teachers may not work until December.

Kennedy goes through what everyone wants to learn about most – how to get daily supply jobs. Like most boards, York Region uses an automated system that calls registered teachers in the evenings and early in the morning, matching job requirements and supply teachers’ qualifications.

Matt Winter, OCT, graduated from OISE/UT in June 2010. After working as an actuary for 10 years, he wanted to escape his cubicle. “I love working with kids,” he says. “I’ve volunteered at my son’s school, DJed at his dances and I’ve coached sports. It’s all great; I’m enjoying every minute I work with kids.”

Matt Winter, OCT

Winter’s volunteer work last year means he already had a criminal-record check. At the end of first semester, he has worked 27 days in different secondary schools and had one interview for an LTO position. He hopes to keep busy supply teaching this year and to visit schools throughout the York Region DSB, hopefully getting a full-time job at one of them next year.

Leah Harrison, OCT, Suzanne Kearsey, OCT, and Christine Syniura, OCT, are part of Kennedy’s afternoon meeting for secondary occasional teachers. All are English qualified and keen to start working.

From left: Christine Syniura, Leah Harrison and Suzanne Kearsey

Kearsey graduated from York University’s Faculty of Education in 2007, Harrison in 2008. Both were unsuccessful getting onto the Toronto DSB occasional list this year and are thrilled to be on York Region’s list.

All three have been volunteering while looking for work and broadening their teaching qualifications. Syniura took Dance, Part 1 this summer; Kearsey took ESL, Part 1; Harrison took ESL, Part 1 last summer and Special Education, Part 1 this summer. All plan to take another AQ later this year.

Harrison completed an LTO last year at Markville SS in the York Region DSB. It’s the board where she attended school, and she has done some volunteer work there. “I know there are many capable people on the supply list this year,” she says, looking around the auditorium. “I’m thankful to be on the list.” She hopes to teach at all the schools in the board this year, to gain more classroom experience and possibly get a job. Meanwhile, she will hold onto her part-time job with the town of Markham.