Thank you to those members who braved the stormy weather one week ago to attend Creating Caring Classrooms : An Arts and Literacy Approach to Address Bullying, presented by Dr. Larry Swartz at the Stoneridge Inn.
The roaring fireplace and delicious dinner awaiting those in attendance made up for the outside wind, rain & snow squalls. Dr. Larry Swartz, presented an "amazing" workshop confirmed by participant feedback.
We wanted to share the following comments from our office:
Work has indeed picked up these last few weeks and the Board is again beginning to experience unfilled daily jobs. Remember that you can accept a job that has already begun and you will be paid for the full assignment as posted. Just notify the school that you have picked up the call, are on your way and that you will arrive shortly.
Please spread the word that it is to an OTs advantage to teach more than 10 days each school year. As Occasional Teachers, we all contribute to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and every year in which an OT teaches more than 10 days count towards the retirement factor of 85 that you need to retire with an unreduced pension. Just so you know, the 85 factor is determined by adding your age plus the number of pensionable years you have taught. For example someone who is 55 would have had to teach for 30 years to retire at full pension. It might not be an important consideration as you start your career but losing these years of service could have costly ramifications when it comes time to think about your retirement options.
Mandatory online training modules (for a half-day of pay) to be posted after April 1st. This will count as time worked for all purposes including the required 5 full days of elementary teaching needed to remain on the Roster.
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Space is filling quickly for our upcoming PD Event on March 9th at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South, in London from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
Register at www.etfotvot.com for ONE workshop only please.
ETFO THAMES VALLEY OCCASIONAL TEACHERS' LOCAL
