Professionally Speaking

2012 annual report

A 15-YEAR LOOK AT TEACHING

What is the current profile of Ontario teachers?

Find out by visiting the College’s online annual report. It provides a wealth of information about teachers dating back to 1998, including key demographics, teacher qualifications, and where and how they are educated.

The report also provides our review of Council and College activities, and committee reports for 2012.

For the first time this year, the report incorporates video images of teachers and students to share a more personalized experience of their day-to-day activities.

Review of our disciplinary processes and practices

Last May 20th was our 16th birthday as the regulatory body for Ontario’s teaching profession. It is timely — in reflecting on our years in existence — to recognize our strengths, but, most importantly, to look at areas where we can improve.

That’s why, in the summer of 2011, the College had commissioned former Ontario Chief Justice Patrick LeSage to evaluate our discipline processes and practices and to provide recommendations on areas for improvement.

In June 2012, we released the report and the very helpful recommendations that focused on increasing efficiency and enhancing transparency. Our College Council responded to the report with enthusiasm and provided direction in June to enhance public confidence in our profession’s ability to govern itself in the public interest.

Council’s directions focused on measures to improve the transparency and productivity of the entire investigation and discipline process to ensure it is conducted fairly, quickly and efficiently.

By following through, we assure the public that we treat complaints made against members of the profession in a timely manner.

One way of doing so is to shorten timelines from the very beginning of an investigation. This means tighter periods for reporting information about teacher misconduct or incompetence from boards to the College, from the College to members, and from the College to the public.

During the year, we have also linked discipline decisions to our public register on our website, and we recently linked hearing notices to the register to create greater transparency for employers and the public.

Bringing together teachers, the public and professional regulators

In the fall, members of the public, educators and education stakeholders, and professional regulators attended the very successful College’s conference Inspiring Public Confidence in Toronto.  

The conference attracted 235 participants from BC to Newfoundland, and from as far away as Japan and England. There were 24 workshops — 18 in English and six in French. The presenters addressed trending topics that challenged minds and touched hearts in three streams: professional regulation, acting in the public interest, and effective practices and research in teacher education.

The conference featured keynote addresses by Wendy Mesley, the award-winning television host and reporter, and Stephen Lewis, one of Canada’s most influential commentators on social affairs and human rights.

New award

Philip Capobianco, who works at Notre Dame HS in the Ottawa Catholic DSB, was named the first recipient of the College’s Inspiring Public Confidence Award. The award is presented to an individual who works in the public education sector and has significantly contributed to the public’s confidence in Ontario education.

To see the highlights of what Mr. Lewis said or the impact Mr. Capobianco has within his school, check out the College’s YouTube channel.

Supply and demand of teaching positions

In the summer, for the 11th consecutive year, the College surveyed teachers in their first five years in the profession. The Transition to Teaching survey presents an in-depth look at the early careers of new members.

It reveals that Ontario is still experiencing a growing surplus of teachers.

More new teachers are unemployed in their first school year than ever before. Many of those with jobs are underemployed. And more are taking up alternate work in non-teaching occupations.

More Ontario graduates than in past years left the province in search of teaching jobs.

Both elementary and secondary qualified teachers face high levels of unemployment and underemployment. Very few get regular teaching contracts in their first year after graduating — regardless of their qualifications.

The effects of the weakening employment market continue to be felt by many French-language teachers. Half of them now report they are unemployed or underemployed in the first year following graduation. And most new Canadians in their first year following Ontario certification are also unemployed.

Financial highlights 

The College budget was set at $35,765,000 with an anticipated surplus of $1,357,000. The final surplus was $420,000 due to a significant increase in expenditures related to the adjudication of more discipline matters.

The College is financed primarily by members’ fees. At the end of 2012, the College had 237,249 members in good standing, an increase of 2,833 over 2011.

There has been some moderation in growth over the last couple of years as fewer certified teachers have gained employment in the profession.

2012 revenue and expenses

(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

REVENUE	2012	2011
Annual membership fees	$32,854	$28,297
Other fees	$2,477	$2,671
Advertising	$1,152	$1,027
Amortization of deferred capital contribution	—	$117
Special projects	$76	$64
Interest and other	$266	$348
	$36,825	$32,524
EXPENSES	2012	2011
Employee compensation	$18,775	$17,743
Council and committees	$748	$665
Services to members and applicants	$3,207	$2,935
Professional practice	$670	$600
Investigations and hearings	$3,469	$2,801
Operating support	$7,159	$5,920
Amortization	$2,097	$2,130
Council elections	$280	$89
	$36,405	$32,883
EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR	$420	-$359