PLP Now Involves All Members| Hundreds of Courses offered Online| New Grads Happy with Teaching Jobs| Some First-Year Teachers Greatly Challenged | College Milestone with Fifth Annual Meeting | Date Set for Qualifying | B.C. Court Upholds Right to Investigate | New Chair for Professional Learning Committee | Register to Win | Free Trip Draw | Membership Made Easy | College Takes Online Security Seriously | College News the Way You Want It Discipline Panel Decisions | Dispute resolution Program Efficient and Cost-Effective

College Reaches Milestone with Fifth Annual Meeting of Members

The College reached a milestone when it held its fifth annual meeting of members on June 8. The College marked the occasion with the release of a revamped annual report highlighting the dedication of teachers who bring to life the ideals of the teaching profession.

Promoting the Profession

“We all feel that teachers don’t get the

recognition they deserve. One of the underlying themes of the College’s work in 2001 was to—whenever possible — ensure that we highlighted at least a few of the exemplary teachers among the tens of thousands in this province,” said College Registrar Joe Atkinson. “We are dedicated to ensuring that the public understands the depth of commitment and hard work of Ontario teachers.

“Teachers dedicate their lives to opening doors for young people—introducing them to the great opportunities life has to offer beyond their own direct experience, and providing guidance on how to interpret what students encounter on a daily basis.”

Among the activities to promote the profession in 2001, Atkinson highlighted the success of the College’s World Teachers’ Day advertising on October 5 in three major newspapers. The ad featured well-known Canadians —including Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, journalist Pamela Wallin, astronaut Chris Hadfield and actor Sarah Polley—reflecting on the favourite remarkable teachers who nurtured their talents and fuelled their aspirations.

The College dedicated a full issue of Professionally Speaking to feature a day in the life of 12 hardworking teachers. College staff also spoke of the professionalism of Ontario teachers at conferences, meetings and job fairs.

Well Attended

This was the first meeting of members since the government passed legislation to make the Professional Learning Program (PLP) mandatory. About 150 members attended the meeting, including the council of presidents of one teacher federation. Outside the building, some members gathered to demonstrate against the PLP.

College Chair Larry Capstick met briefly with the members outside to accept a petition regarding the PLP. He promised to bring the petition to the attention of the government as the College continues to advocate for changes to the program. The most significant change to the PLP that the College has proposed is removing the link to re-certification.

At the meeting itself, members questioned why the College is implementing the program, despite the fact that it is different from the program recommended by the College and endorsed by the teacher federations.

“When the provincial government introduced mandatory professional learning with the Stability and Excellence in Education Act, it also in the same legislation delegated the implementation of the program to the College,” Atkinson reminded the audience. “The College did not recommend mandatory professional learning. But once the legislation was passed, the College was determined to make it work for teachers in Ontario.”

"In our design of the program, we have attempted to address many of the shortcomings of professional learning opportunities that teachers have always had to deal with. Providers now encompass a much wider range of organizations, ensuring that members can earn their PLP credits by pursuing the same kind of activities they have traditionally chosen for their professional development. Research, committee work, conferences, mentoring or other professional activities, designing, planning or leading workshops or seminars, networking and, in fact, any activity that teachers have traditionally pursued for their profession development is eligible for PLP credit.”

Council Chair Larry Capstick reminded the members that the new Minister of Education had requested that the federations provide her with advice by July 31 on changes that they would like to see in the PLP.

  back | next



Magazine Home | Masthead | Archives

From the Chair  |   Registrar's Report  |   Remarkable Teachers  |   Blue Pages
News  |   Reviews  |   Calendar  |   Netwatch  |   FAQ  |   Letters to the Editor

Ontario College of Teachers
121 Bloor Street East, 6th Floor Toronto  ON M4W 3M5
Phone: 416-961-8800 Toll-free: 1-888-534-2222 Fax: 416-961-8822 
http://www.oct.ca
info@oct.ca