The Roster and LTOs; Free App for OTs; Workplace survey

Why OTs on the Roster should apply for LTOs -

Regulation 274 allows for LTO positions to be filled from those who apply from the OT Roster if there are no applicants from the LTO List.  This time of year, there are fewer LTO applicants for long-term positions which means Principals are hiring from those on the OT Roster who are qualified and who have applied.  If you successfully complete one of these LTO assignments of 4 months or longer, you will then be added to the LTO List, if you have expressed an interest in applying to the LTO List.

Applying for the LTO List

Just a reminder that this is the final week for elementary OTs to apply for the Long-Term Occasional (LTO) Teachers List.  Go to your Employee Portal > LTO Elementary.  Please complete this survey by March 1st, 2015 if you are interested in interviewing for the LTO list and make sure you click the UPDATE RECORD button in the application to ensure your interest is submitted.

• If you are already on the LTO List you need not complete this.
• Part time permanent teachers who are on the OT Roster must complete this for consideration for future LTO's.
•  If you are currently in a LTO and/or have done one in the past, you still need to complete this survey to be considered for the LTO List.

Free App for OTs from Teachers’ Pension Plan

Did you know that if you have a smart phone or tablet, you can download Classtime App free from Teachers' Pension Plan to help you track the date and school of each assignment and whether or not you get paid for that assignment. This free app is available for Android and IOS devices through Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Workplace Violence Survey due by Friday March 6th, 2015:

All TVDSB staff are invited and encouraged to complete this survey, which will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The survey is confidential and summarized information will be used to identify areas of concern,  inform policy development and assess the risks of workplace violence on both a site and system basis.

Violence Awareness Survey link

Reminder re: Time Sensitive application for Elementary LTO List applicants

The LTO List -
Just a reminder that from now until March 1st,  the Board is allowing elementary OT Roster applicants to apply for the Long-Term Occasional (LTO) Teachers List.  Go to your Employee Portal and log in to LTO Elementary.  Please complete this survey by March 1st, 2015 if you are interested in interviewing for the LTO list and make sure you click the UPDATE RECORD button in the application to ensure your interest is submitted.  Only those who have been employed by TVDSB for 10 teaching months and who have taught at least 20 days are eligible for consideration under Regulation 274.
NB:
-      If you are already on the LTO List you do not need to complete this, however
-      Part time permanent teachers on the Roster must complete this for consideration for LTOs and
-      Those currently in a LTO and/or have done one in the past who are not on the LTO List need to complete this survey to be considered for the LTO List.

February is Black History Month and QECO: Not Yet In Category A4

Black History Month - February
It was the Canadian Negro Women’s Association that introduced the celebration of Black History Month to Toronto in the 1950’s. This black Canadian community initiative was adopted by the Ontario government in 1979, thanks to its championing by the Ontario Black History Society. In 1995, the House of Commons declared a national Black History Month, which went into effect in 1996. Black History Month exists to remind us all of the rich contributions within our society from people of African and Caribbean decent, and of their ongoing struggle for equity and social justice. Teachers have the opportunity to engage their students, not only during this month but throughout the school year and recognizing the strengths and resiliency of communities that historically have been marginalized, as well examining issues of racism and the impact of discrimination on these communities. ETFO Poster for Black History Month 2015 Frederick Douglass, a 19th century African-American slave, abolitionist, author and statesman, said that “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”. This quote is featured on a new poster prepared by ETFO in celebration of Black Canadian children’s authors for February’s Black History Month. For children and youth, the freedom to learn about the world, its people and all its possibilities is matched by the power that reading has to help them build a sense of their place in the world. But what if they don’t see themselves reflected in the books, the videos and the posters in their classrooms, their libraries or community centres? Markers such as February’s Black History Month, The Day of Pink and National Aboriginal Day help children learn about the differences, histories and struggles that many groups have faced to gain equality and respect. Through these explorations, a child from any background can see themselves and their families as having a place in the world around them, and experience acceptance. These experiences shouldn’t be limited to a designated month or a day. There are many books written today for children and youth, such as the books on ETFO’s new poster, that portray diversity characters and story lines without resorting to stereotypes. Our classrooms and school libraries can play a greater role in providing children and youth with books and posters that reflect this diversity. Go to www.etfot.ca  for more information. Apply to QECO If You Are Not Yet In Category A4! Program 5 - the QECO policy used to evaluate teacher academic credentials to determine salary categories - may look a little different than it has in the past:  The name Program 5 is the same; the number of categories is the same; there are still two charts - General Education and Technological Education; and, all the same routes and course requirements are still there. What is different? For most teachers, the charts will appear more transparent and easier to understand. For some teachers there may be more route options to consider for moving to the next QECO category. For others, there may be recognition of some programs and courses that did not exist when Program 5 was first created. In all cases, teachers who are not yet in Category A4 should apply to QECO. To read Program 5, or to apply for QECO services, visit www.qeco.on.ca Applying to QECO every year, until you have reached Category A4 is still your best assurance that you are following the quickest and most expedient route to the next category. UPCOMING PD OPPORTUNITY!!! There are still spaces available to register for the February 23, 2015 PD Event. When:   4:30 - 7:30 PM (Feb. 23, 2015) Where:  Best Western Lamplighter Inn 591 Wellington Road South, London, ON  N6C 4R3 Choose 1 workshop from the following:  all 3 sessions are running concurrently. Session 1:  Your First LTO:  How to Successfully Navigate the IEP Process      Session 2:  Stepping Forward with French - Free ETFO Award winning resource provided to all participants in this workshop Session3:  Voice Care How:  Go to www.etfotvot.com to register  Registration to close on February 20, 2015, noon

Another PD Opportunity and Beware of the OCT Member Survey

Another PD Opportunity, February 23, 2015 at Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road, London, Ontario, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM (Free for members with dinner included)

Select one:

Session 1: Your First LTO:  How to successfully Navigate the IEP Process - Ray Wiersma and David Sawyer presenters.

In this workshop you will learn about the Individual Education Plan and your role as a teacher with respect to the IEP process.  We will tackle questions such as: Who is responsible  for the creation and implementation of the IEP? What does an effective IEP look like? How do I modify curriculum expectations? By the end of this session, you will have a better understanding of how to program for students in your classroom with Special Education needs in a way that builds success and supports students in reaching their potential.

Session 2:  Stepping Forward with French -  Helen Donohue presenter.

Based on a curriculum resource of the same name, and created with Occasional Teachers in mind, the STEP FORWARD WITH FRENCH presentation is designed to support occasional teachers on short term assignments in the FSL classroom. The background information in the resource, the brief guide to the French language , the easy-to-follow phonetic spelling and the seven sets of lesson plans on engaging, authentic and contemporary topics - plus strategies for differentiated instruction, classroom management, adaptations for ELL and French immersion students, and assessment and evaluation tools- will provide occasional teachers with the skills and confidence necessary to take on FSL assignments on a short term basis.  Applications of the resource used, STEP FORWARD WITH FRENCH can be adapted to SmartBoard technology.  STEP FORWARD WITH FRENCH is the 2010-2011 ETFO Curriculum Award winner.

Session 3:  Voice Care - Lori Holmes, M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO (Registered Speech-Language Pathologist & Voice Coach) presenter.

Today's teachers meet a variety of vocal challenges on a daily basis - from total talking time and the variety of situations in which they speak to the many ways they use their voice in the instruction, management and motivation of their students.  Occasional teachers face additional challenges as every assignment brings different students, work load, expectations, administration, and colleagues. Feeling vocally confident can go a long way in meeting these challenges successfully.
In this workshop you will learn:
1)  basic anatomy and how we create sound
2)  voice care strategies
3)  how to produce an easy teaching voice
4)  how to confidently use you teaching voice to influence, instruct and manage your students

Registration is now open via www.etfotvot.com. Deadline February 20th at noon.

BEWARE OF THE OCT MEMBER SURVEY

The Ontario College of Teachers has emailed a survey link to all OCT members asking for input as they revise the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession.  Through the Ontario Teachers' Federation, and at meetings with OCT, ETFO has made it clear that we vehemently oppose having the OCT monitor or track in any way our members' professional learning.
ETFO members continuously participate in  self-directed professional learning throughout their careers, both formally and informally at a level beyond most, if not all professions.  Any framework or system introduced to mandate or track their professional learning by the OCT is intrusive and unnecessary.
If you do choose to respond to the survey, we ask you to consider your responses carefully.  Members should keep in mind that ETFO's policy 62.0 Professional Learning For Teachers states:  "That any requirement of professional learning programs for teacher certification, recertification, or teacher evaluation be opposed"; and that "Participation in professional learning programs be voluntary".
ETFO is concerned that the feedback the OCT receives from this survey could be used to justify re-introducing a mandated continuous professional learning system that would be tracked by the OCT and tied to re-certification (similar to the former Professional Learning Program -PLP).  ETFO members fought hard to abolish the PLP when it was introduced and we need to be vigilant in opposing any attempts to reinstate any kind of similar framework.
Join with ETFO and OTF in making your opposition to the Ontario College of Teacher's initiative clear.