2018 Council Election

Serve in the Public Interest

Council’s 37 members — 23 of whom are elected — help to shape the future of education in Ontario. They do this through:

• regulatory change;
• the development and approval of Additional Qualification course guidelines;
• accreditation reviews of Ontario’s faculties of education;
• the provision of professional advisories;
• consultation and communication;
• and so much more.

Why you should consider putting your name forward

You care about teaching as a profession. You care about its future, about setting and maintaining high professional standards, about having a say in what’s needed to prepare to teach students today and tomorrow.

You understand the education community. You understand its strengths and needs.

You’re committed to the professionalism of teaching — and to serving the public.

You are a strong communicator. You’re open to new perspectives. You listen closely, ask questions, actively participate and demonstrate civic-mindedness.

You believe in democracy, excellence in governance, and strategic planning that makes vision, mission and goals real.

You’re a natural leader, a proven volunteer, a person committed to personal growth and professional development and who’s willing to coach others and share your leadership skills.

There are 23 positions on Council up for election.

One of them is just right for you! Nominations close December 1, 2017.

Make a Difference — Become a Member of Council

Council members figure prominently in the direction of teacher professionalism in Ontario. For example, they:

1. Establish the College’s vision, mission, values and strategic priorities.

   Through strategic planning, Council members determine the College’s direction and the activities that help to realize its vision, mission and goals.

2. Interact directly with Ontario’s Minister of Education.

   Council members engage in a face-to-face dialogue with the Minister of Education about current issues in public education in the province at least once during the four Council meetings scheduled per year.

3. Review and recommend regulatory change.

   Acting in the public interest, Council members recommend regulatory change. For example, last March, Council sought changes to the regulation affecting the election of Council members to make the nomination and election process easier, including a streamlined ballot allowing members to vote for candidates in the systems where they work, and recognizing all provincial school authorities as eligible employers.

4. Dialogue with members.

   The Annual Meeting of Members enables Council members to meet directly with interested members, provide summary reports from select Council committees about their previous year’s work, and ask questions of the Chair and Registrar. The meeting is also live-streamed, and questions can be submitted online so that Council members can interact with members across the province. Throughout the year, Council members attend College events held across Ontario to engage with members and the public. As well, Council members are invited to attend focus group activities across the province to periodically gather member and parent input on College initiatives.

5. Rule on content guidelines.

   Additional Qualification courses are an important part of ongoing career development. Council members routinely make decisions about guidelines that providers use for the courses offered to all members of the profession.

6. Advance teacher professionalism.

   The College awards three $2,000 scholarships annually to deserving teacher candidates, and Council members oversee the provision of the awards, the selection process, and the scholarship funding that makes it possible. The program funding — which is self-sustaining at the direction of Council — provides financial assistance to exemplary role models who have a passion for and dedication to the highest ideals of teaching.

7. Ensure responsible financial governance.

   Responsibility for the overall financing of College operations is the direct purview of Council members. Council members set policy direction and approve the organization’s budget, ensuring that the College maintains its commitment to responsible spending and resource management on behalf of College members.

2018 Council election nominations close December 1, 2017.