Mandatory Training Modules are up and running!

Many members have enquired as to when the Board's Mandatory On-Line Training Modules will be available- they are now AVAILABLE!  Access is via the Employee Portal under the Staff Development and Training header.  Click on Mandatory Training and you will find 12 modules plus "Children's Aid Services Reporting" and "Sabrina's Law".  Please note that no new modules will be added after April 30th. So, if you have taken the initiative to complete these 14 modules before the end of April, go back to verify that no new modules have been added in the interim.  Remember you have until June 30th to complete these modules and that is the day you will be paid for doing so.  Retirees must reserve a teaching day in June since this Teachers' Pension will consider the mandatory training as a day of work in June.
Members have the month of April to submit the annual on-line Statement of Intent to Remain on the List. This must be submitted by April 30th.
On another note, there are now two and a half weeks to go before our April 8th Designated Paid Professional Development Event at Althouse College.  Almost 700 members have registered for this exciting PD.  Registration for select sessions remains open until March 30.  Come out and meet fellow members and participate in relevant sessions lead by well-respected experts- you'll be glad you did!

Other upcoming events:
The Spring General Membership Meeting is May 26, 2011 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn.  There is no charge to members.  Please register on-line to tvotpd@gmail.com.




        

Underemployment and Unemployment of Newly Certified Teachers

Since 2001 the Ministry of Education has contracted with the Ontario College of Teachers to undertake a comprehensive study that looks at newly certified Ontario teachers.  The OCT contacts a sample of teachers who had been newly certified in previous years to ask them about their current employment status, the challenges they have faced as beginning teachers in Ontario, and about the efficacy of the various supports that are in place for beginning Ontario teachers.
For the past few years the study has revealed a growing 'glut' of teachers in Ontario with far more teachers being certified than there are jobs.  As a result, a growing number of respondents indicated that they had resorted to taking a job outside of Ontario as there was nothing available for them in their area of choice.
Likewise, with more recent graduates each year unable to find teaching jobs or finding only very limited supply teaching employment, increasing numbers of them have returned to former occupations or have taken non-teaching jobs each year to survive financially. 
In 2009 the unemployment/underemployment situation impacted upon French-language teachers for the first-time.  Although experiencing more positive outcomes than English-language teachers (21% of whom had found regular jobs), new French-language teachers in Ontario no longer enjoy the consistently bright job prospects of earlier years.
Since 2006 there have been an increasing number of newly certified teachers who have indicated that they are unemployed.  The involuntary unemployment rate for first-year teachers has increased every year for the past five years.  What was a 3% unemployment rate in 2006 is now 24%.
Although the number of applications has dropped over the past three years, there are still far more applicants than there are potential jobs.
So what is one expected to do?  Looking for any job these days is difficult enough but getting perspective on the whole picture is imperative!  Competition is fierce and prospective employers - namely the Principal sitting across the desk from you during the interview asking all the questions, typically has his/her choice of applicants and will select the "creme de la creme".
You have to do the extra bit to stand out.  Do your homework.  Get to know whatever you can about the school, be as prepared for the interview as you can be.  In other words, rehearse the standard interview questions in your mind.  Show interest in the position by having some well thought out questions prepared to ask when it's your turn.  Be a 'team-player' and think of why you chose this profession in the first place.
Within a couple of days, follow-up with a written 'thank you' note to the interviewer.  If you did not get the job, there is nothing wrong with asking how you could have presented yourself differently so that you could have a better chance the next time around.  Think of it as a learning experience.  We continue to improve, just listen and make the effort.  Attending professional development events, becoming involved in associated organizations such as your union will provide you with a wealth of knowledge to help you view the 'bigger picture'.
Make that effort- it will be worth it!

     

Teacher Special Education Gateway Website

In the Fall of 2009, the Ontario Teachers' Federation embarked on the development of a web-based resource for teachers on special education with funding from the Ministry of Education.
After extensive time and research, OTF was able to create this amazing repository of All things Special Education Related.  This free and easy-to-use resource is especially helpful for non-specialist teachers, as well as support staff and parents.
We encouraged you to bookmark this website as one of your favourites http://www.teachspeced.ca/ because once you visit, you will be coming back often.

Registration for the April 8th, Designated, Paid, Full-Day Professional Development Event at Althouse College sponsored by our Board and ETFO TVOT Local is on-going!  To date, over 600 members have registered.  Many of the workshops are offering free resources to participants. Remember to register for 1 full-day session or 2 half-day sessions in order to meet Board requirements for a full-day's pay!



 
 

Infection in Pregnancy - Minimizing the Risk in Schools

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario recognizes that protection of our members is our primary responsibility.   Women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant should be aware that the school setting provides a unique risk for exposure to infectious diseases, particularly those associated with early childhood. 

ETFO believes that knowledge is the key to minimizing any risk.  Through collective bargaining, member education, and political action, ETFO makes every effort to safeguard members.  However, there are infectious diseases, Fifth Disease being the prime example, where total protection cannot be guaranteed.

For that reason, we continue to seek protective language for pregnant members through our local collective agreements.  ETFO is actively lobbying for legislative change that will recognize the unique nature and health hazards associated with educating young children.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant seek guidance from your physician.  As an example, the doctor can administer a blood test to confirm if an expectant mother has immunity or is susceptible to Fifth Disease.

Check out our lending library for a very informative booklet to inform you of specific health issues that could affect your unborn child. 

Updates:

• Upcoming designated full- day paid PD event at Althouse College on April 8, 2011.  Don't forget this is a full day event and in order to be paid, registration must be for either a full-day session or a morning AND afternoon session.  Omittance of a half-day session, whether am or pm does not comply with the Board's requirement and will result in the registrant not being paid!
• Ontario College of Teachers Fee Payment. Teachers must pay an annual membership fee to remain in good standing with the College.  This year the membership fee has been set at $120.  This fee is tax deductible as a professional membership fee.  The fee MUST be paid by April 15th.  The penalty for late payment is $250.
• Retired teachers, don't forget to save 1 (one) teaching day for June 30th, 2011.  This day will represent completion of the mandatory on-line training modules that all  Occasional Teachers must complete and which will be available on-line via the Employee Portal. Once, competed and all necessary requirements for these modules have been met, you will be paid on June 30th. 
• Your Intent to Remain on the List will be available in April and must be completed by April 30th.

Ministry of Labour - Safe at Work Program

Unfortunately, in today's world, we are at times,  faced with challenging and even violent threats against our person.  It's important to know what is available should you find yourself facing any such situation.
Changes to Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) strengthen protections for workers from workplace violence and address workplace harassment and came into effect in June 2010.  These define workplace violence and harassment and describe employer duties, and apply to your workplaces.

Under the Bill 168 amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act -

Workplace violence means:

• The exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker
• An attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker
• A statement or behaviour that is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker.

Workplace harassment means:

• Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. This may include bullying, intimidating or offensive jokes or innuendos, displaying or circulating offensive pictures or materials, or offensive or intimidating phone calls.

Domestic violence measures:

• Employers who are aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that domestic violence may occur in the workplace must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker at risk of physical injury.

Duty to Inform:

• Employers and supervisors must provide information to a worker about a risk of workplace violence from a person with a history of violent behaviour if the worker can expect to encounter that person in the course of work, and if the worker may be at risk of physical injury.  Personal information may be disclosed, but only what is reasonably necessary to protect the worker from physical injury.

Reporting hazards in the workplace is another area the Ministry of Labour has been focusing on with their "Work Smart Ontario" program.  Report all hazards on the TVDSB "Accident Incident Reporting Form" available at every site.
Among other responsibilities (see "My health and safety rights"  on http://www.worksmartontario.gov.on.ca/), under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, a worker is required to:

• report to his or her employer or supervisor the absence of or defect in any equipment or protective device of which the worker is aware and which may endanger himself, herself or another worker
• report to his or her employer or supervisor any contravention of this Act or the regulations or the existence of any hazard of which he or she knows.

This means if you know there is a problem or hazard with the work you're assigned or if you notice something wrong that could hurt someone else, you have a legal duty to tell your boss.  Do it immediately.  Don't work in the unsafe conditions and wait to tell your boss at break time, that may be too late.  Management is responsible for your health and safety.

April 8th, Designated Full-Day PD at Althouse College

Spots are filling up quickly for this PD event.  Just a reminder that it is a full-day event and you must register for both a morning and an afternoon session (or a full-day session) to meet the Board's  requirement for a full-day's pay.  We understand there is still room in the morning to attend the keynote speaker.
All morning sessions begin promptly at 9:00am. 
All afternoon sessions begin promptly at 1:00pm.
Full day sessions run from 9:00am - 3:30pm.
Parking is provided free of charge on site. 
You can bring your lunch.  The cafeteria will NOT be open for sales.
You can find a map to Althouse College here:
http://www.edu.uwo.ca/programs/graduate-education/downloads/Map%20&%20Directions.pdf

The Board's Mandatory Training Modules will be posted on the Employee Portal and clearly marked as "Mandatory online modules". 


     

Althouse PD Registration Procedure and other issues

More than five hundred members have registered for the Designated paid day of PD at Althouse College on April 8, 2011, however we're still receiving some enquiries as to how to go about the registration process, so here it is in a nutshell:

1.  Once in the Employee Portal, click on the "Registration Access" icon.  This is on the right side of the page in an oval.
2.  Scroll way down the page to the item that reads:  "Option B of Day 1 Elementary OT PD 2010-11- April 8, 2011".  Click on the box that says: "Register".
3.  Select the session (s) - 1 full-day or 2 half-day, you would like to register for.  To register, click in the circle to the left of the titled session.  For more information on each session, just click on the session you're interested in.
4.  Submit your selection(s) by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking on "Submit".  

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to gain invaluable information, explore teaching strategies, gain insight into current topics facing classrooms today and meet many other elementary OTs.  Your Union along with the Thames Valley District School Board  have worked very hard to line up some of the most well-respected experts in their fields.  It is in your best interest to attend this grand PD Event. 

Another question often raised is: When will the mandatory online Training Modules be available?
answer:  The Board's mandatory training modules are not yet available online, however they do not have to be completed until June 30th.  NB: the completion of the online modules counts as if you taught on June 30th, so retirees must reserve one day.     

Likewise, your Intent to Remain on the List must be done by April 30th.

Other upcoming events: 

The Spring General Membership Meeting scheduled for May 26, 2011 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn.  There is no charge to members.  Please register online to tvotpd@gmail.com.

Check your LTO contracts, mistakes happen.  Let us know if we could be of assistance.





 

Not in Category A4 Yet? Apply to QECO yearly!

Why? We all know that rapid change in education is a constant and many of the factors that affect your QECO category placement can change just as rapidly.  These include:

• Ongoing recognition of new acceptable academic institutions, both domestic and abroad
• Changes that affect the acceptability of some course providers
• Changes with the increase in Additional Qualification course providers
• Legislative changes which can all have an influence on teachers' upgrading routes. 

QECO strongly urges all teachers who have not yet reached Category A4 to formally apply for upgrading advice or for re-evaluation on a regular basis - each year - to ensure they are following the most direct route to a higher category.  This advice is particularly important to teachers whose academic qualifications were obtained outside of Ontario.

  Remember too that requesting regular upgrading advice can only be of advantage to a teacher - it is easy and you cannot adversely affect your progress or status by asking for advice!

For more information and to apply, visit:  www.qeco.on.ca

"CHECK YOUR LTO CONTRACTS - MISTAKES HAPPEN!  LET US KNOW IF WE COULD BE OF ASSISTANCE"