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Governing Ourselves informs members of legal and regulatory matters affecting the profession. This section provides updates on licensing and qualification requirements, notification of Council resolutions and reports from various Council committees, including reports on accreditation and discipline matters.
The College’s 2014 Inspiring Public Confidence conference brought together regional and global thought leaders who provided insight into trending topics in education and self-regulation. Building on the success of the 2012 conference, this year’s conference focused on critical issues concerning regulators, teacher educators and the public.
Held November 5–7, 2014, in Toronto, the conference attracted over 200 participants. Presenters addressed topics in three streams: professional regulation, acting in the public interest and effective practices and research in teacher education. There were over 30 workshops in English and French on topics such as mental health, best practices to prepare teachers for the 21st century and creative solutions to challenges faced by professional regulators.
Former Québec premier Jean Charest, journalist Sally Armstrong and former Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor were the keynote speakers and delivered this powerful message: Never take for granted that the public is confident in your work; transparency, for any worker or organization, is key to gaining that public confidence.
The conference brought together Canadian and international delegates as far away as Ireland, Scotland and South Africa. They included professional regulators, members of the public, school board administrators, professional education associations, government officials, teacher educators, members of the teaching profession, school trustees and First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members. It also attracted representatives from many regulatory bodies in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
Ontario Education Minister Liz Sandals kicked off the conference commending the College for its commitment to setting high standards for Ontario teachers in the public interest.
“The College has worked to support its members and I have every confidence it will continue to do so in the coming years,” Sandals said in her opening remarks. “Our government values the partnership we have with the College because together we are building a strong publicly funded education system for our province — and helping to prepare our young people for success.”
Melanie Silva, OCT, a music teacher at St. Peter Catholic Elementary School in Milton, was awarded the College’s 2014 Inspiring Public Confidence Award at the conference.
The $1,000 award is given to an individual who works in public education and has significantly contributed to the public’s confidence in Ontario education.
“Melanie inspires public confidence by living and breathing the College’s standards of care, trust, respect and integrity,” said College Deputy Registrar Joe Jamieson
The award presentation at the College’s conference in Toronto included an inspiring video on Silva’s impact. Watch the video at bit.ly/1xLbups.
“I find it very enjoyable because there are provocative speakers and good debates … It provides opportunities for any professional to take a step back and reflect on how and why we do things. I also have a chance to meet with other regulators and realize we have similar issues.” —Jennifer Macdonald, General Teaching Council for Scotland
“Your keynote speakers are always stimulating, and the diversity of topics is a pleasant surprise.” —Jacqueline Boulianne, OCT