TVOT Hosted Paid PD; Timetable of the Absent Teacher; Pension Credit; Lost Prep Periods; Hours Reported to EI; More "Earn While You Learn" Opportunities; ETFO Town Hall for New Members; TVOT Fall General Meeting

 

Paid PD hosted by TVOT - Join us after school at the Lamplighter Inn on November 11th for your choice of one of the following paid PD workshops. These sessions include a free dinner and workshops fill quickly so register by logging into the TVDSB Employee Portal and click on Conference/Session Registrations. Each session counts as a half-day of teaching.

 Here are the options:

1) Your First LTO, Survive to Thrive - develop an effective program and learn how to communicate with parents, build report card comments, track your class feedback and much more. 

2) Multiplication and Division: Fact, Fluency Games and Visual Strategies - Research shows that increasing fact fluency makes for better young mathematicians and problem-solvers. This workshop will provide you with practical ideas, concrete and visual tools and fun games to help your learners become fact fluent. 

3) Coding Unplugged: Coding Without Computers - Learn how to lead simple, low-prep lessons that connect coding to math, literacy and science while fostering collaboration, creativity and problem-solving. 

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- Collective Agreements vary from Board to Board, and within a Board, secondasry and elementary panels have different provisions

- The Steward in a school represents the permanent Teachers. As an OT or LTO, your representation comes from the TVOT Office 519-641-3936 or etfotvot@gmail.com. We know your Collective Agreement - we negotiated it!

- The daily OT is expected to follow the timetable of the Teacher they are replacing. This means they follow the same supervision responsibilities and prep time periods as the absent Teacher would normally have.  

- To gain one qualifying year of pension credit, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan requires you to work more than 10 days, so teaching an extra day beyone the 10 needed as a TVOT member, could save you a full year of teaching at the end of your career. https://www.otpp.com/en-ca/members/life-events/learning-about-the-plan/working-less-than-full-time/

- If a school is unable to provide you with the scheduled prep period, then note the date, location and minutes lost so that you can be financially compensated at the end of the school year for this lost time.

- Occasional Teachers are not to administer medication, toilet children or transport students in the OT's personal vehicle.

- For purposes of Employment Insurance (EI), a day of work is reported as 8 hours, pro-rated for part-day assignments.

- All OTs  and LTOs have access to the TVDSB Employee Asssistance Program. Check out the "Telus Health Employee Family Assistance Program" on the Employee Portal login page, for more information. https://apps3.tvdsb.ca/employees/login/login.aspx?_mid_=827

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More Paid PD Options hosted by TVDSB - Here is another chance to earn salary on a day when OTs cannot normally work. There are still spaces available to participate in Paid PD on November 14th, and each session counts as a half day of salary. Log into the TVDSB Employee Portal and click on Conference/Session Registrations to see what is being offered as Elementary Dual Occasional Teacher PD. It's an opportunity to "Earn While You Learn"!

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OTF (Ontario Teachers' Federation) is drawing 10 tickets for members to attend the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, virtual  conference being held Saturday, November 22/25. Click https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/ticket-giveaway-to-the-learning-disabilities-association-of-canada-conference/ for more information.

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ETFO Provincial's "Occasional Teacher Website" can now be found at https://members.etfo.ca/resources/occasional-teachers so visit it for quick access to ETFO's PRS Bulletins offering relevant advice for all Teachers, the A - Z of Being an OT and topics such as Addressing Hate and Discrimination; Mindfullness as an OT; The duty to Report to OCT and many assorted articles of interest.

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We've Got Your Back; Full-day Paid PD Opportunity with lunch; OTF Webinars; Bill 33 Statement; Leaders for Tomorrow

Just a few spots open -

Those who register and attend will receive $15 as a gas money allowance and have a chance to win a $100 gift card.  The dinner is free so take this opportunity to meet your OT colleagues - there are almost 2,000 of us. Register now as there are just a few spots remaining: mail@etfotvot.com or 519-641-3936.

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"You Got This! Classroom Management for the Occasional Teacher" - A full-day paid PD session hosted by TVOT on Friday, November 14th PA Day at the Lamplighter Inn, London, with lunch included. This practical workshop addresses the many daily challenges faced by Occasional Teachers when managing students, time, curriculum and resources. Discover a variety of strategies and activites to address behaviours. Learn how to establish rapport and routines, motivate and keep students on task, and minimize challenging behavours while addressing student needs. Registration in the TVDSB Employee Portal.

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OTF has just announced new additions to their OTF Connects webinars which provide free and effective PD opportunities for Teachers.

November topics include: 1) Expression Matters, Building Student Well-Being Through Drama and Dance on November 6. Click on this link to Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Lo2SIusDTMuLtSxSFKgKng#/registration and 2) Generative Artificial Intelligence, A Revolution in Action for Teachers On November 27. Here is the registration link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zJO1CXqNTra4eQsIUrptuA#/registration

In December the webinar is: Enhancing Classroom Practices with Generative AI, Part 2 on December 2 and here is the registration link -https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZUan6ejrSiOEwYf2SyP5hg#/registration

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Looking for additional resources for Women's History Month? Go to https://www.etfo.ca/calendar/women-s-history-month

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The TVOT Fall General Meeting will be held at the Stoneridge Inn on November 26th. Registration will open in November so be sure to mark this on your calendar. We will look forward to meeting you there!

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We've Got your Back; NEW: TVOT Handbook for Daily OTs; ETFO Events and Release Time; Social Media Cautions; ETFO Podcasts; ETFO Websites of Interest

 

We are Looking Forward to Meeting You!

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Your TVOT Executive is proud to present our new TVOT Handbook for Daily Occasional Teachers. Click on www.etfotvot.com for lots of essential information, including useful hyperlinks.

While there, be sure to open a member account so that you receive our Wednesday Blog and have access to our PD Fund and Resource Rebate applications.

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What is ETFO "Release Time"? 

Daily OTs and LTOs are eligible to attend workshops and conferences hosted by ETFO Provincial in Toronto without losing income. If the event takes place during the week, ETFO  often asks if release time is required. Check "Yes" and ETFO will submit your participation to the Board as time worked as a daily OT.  If you are in a LTO assignment, then ETFO will cover the cost of the daily OT who replaces you. Please note that in many cases, ETFO will also cover travel expenses, shared accommodations and meals, in an effort make it easier for all members to take part in ETFO events.

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Social Media Perils 

It's part of our lives, however, Teachers must be particularly careful when using social media. The community, the Board and the College of Teachers all monitor our social media communications so recognize that your posts reflect on you and your professionalism.  Every year, members are held accountable for overlooking the fact that the Board and the OCT have strict expectations in this regard. Please become informed by checking out https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/our-board/resources/Orientation/Useful-Information/SocialMediaGuidelines.pdf

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"Elementary" is a podcast for members and anyone else who is interested in public education in Ontario. Recent podcast topics include:
- How to Improve Special Education in Ontario

- Indigenous Plants and Their Uses

- Education and Artificial Intelligence

- Talking Politics at Work

- The Value of Play Based Learning

Here is the link - https://sites.libsyn.com/400088

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 Navigate the changing mortgage landscape with expert guidance and competitive rates from (please tag @Educators Financial Group on Facebook or @EducatorsFG on X/Instagram). Plus, you could get up to $500 cash back*. Conditions apply. Speak to an Educators Mortgage Advisor today: https://bit.ly/42sKylY. #EFGtips

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For more information on how to keep kids and families safe visit:

- https://www.ecno.org/cyber-awareness/

- Cyber Security Ontario

- https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca

Save the date Oct. 28th; Education Act; TVARRIS job numbers; NTIP and LTOs; Job Integrity and Re-assignment; Bill 33

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Lamplighter Inn, London

4:30 - 7 PM (dinner included)

"We've Got Your Back" is an evening for TVOT members to enjoy a lovely dinner, meet other OT colleagues, pick up a free copy of your Collective Agreement and learn about some of its provisions.

There will be draws for $100 gift cards including one specifically from participants in their first 5 years of teaching.

The Local is offering lots of swag including a free copy of the our "Flourish with French" - a resource designed for Occasional Teachers accepting daily assignments in French classrooms.

All those who register and attend will receive a $15 gas allowance. 

Register at mail@etfotvot.com or 519-641-3936

We are looking forward to meeting you!

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1) The Education Act requires all Teachers to "...be present in the classroom or teaching area and ensure that the teaching area is ready for the reception of pupils at least 15 minutes before the commencement of classes in the school in the morning and where applicable, 5 minutes before the commencement of classes in the school in the afternoon."

2) If more than one Occasional Teacher shows up for an absence, it is always the OT with the TVARRIS job number who will be paid, so if you are pre-booked, be sure that the absent Teacher enters your job into the system. 

3) Being a member of ETFO means you never have to stand alone! Your TVOT Local is here to support you and to advocate for you. Contact us with questions or concerns at 519-641-3936 or by email at mail@etfotvot.com .

4) Article L16.07 states that a daily OT who accepts a non-classroom job can be re-assigned if there is a vacant classroom position at the school. However, this same article provides that in all other cases, TVOT members are guaranteed of the job they accept and can only be re-assigned by mutual agreement.

5) LTOs who are participating in NTIP, do not participate in the Teacher Performance Appraisal elements of the program, submitting long-range plans, observations etc., as these requirements are only for permanent Teachers.

2) 

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Complete insurance solutions for the Ontario education community. Get personalized service and exclusive discounts for all your insurance needs. Plus, get a $20 gift card of your choice when you get a car or home quote from (please tag @OTIP on Facebook, @OTIP_Insurance on X, or @otip_insurance on Instagram)! Get a quote: https://bit.ly/3KoI4Pv

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About Daily OTs and LTOs; Leave of Absence from the OT List; Apple iPhone Upgrade; Legal Assistance for TVOT members.

 

As a TVOT Daily OT did you know?

• You can accept TVARRIS daily assignments outside of your qualifications, e.g. French, Intermediate etc.
• -        Morning half-day assignments shall end no later than 20 minutes after the end of class instructional time and afternoon assignments shall begin no earlier than 20 minutes before class instructional time.
• -        Occasional Teachers shall not be assigned supervisory duties prior to the commencement of class on the first morning of an assignment or prior to the commencement of the afternoon class on the first day if it is a half-day afternoon assignment.
• -   An Occasional Teacher who accepts and reports for an assignment shall be placed in that assignment unless otherwise mutually agreed. However, where there is a vacant classroom assignment, reassignment of the Occasional Teacher from a non-classroom assignment may be necessary at the discretion of the Principal to address student needs.
• -   The timetable for an Occasional Teacher shall be the same as the timetable as the Teacher they are replacing. This includes prep periods and supervisory duties.
• -   Members need to keep track of times when they do not receive their prep periods as they will receive compensation for the loss of this valuable time at the end of the school year

 

 As an LTO, did you know...

• -        You have access to 11 days of sick leave at 100% of salary for those in a full year, 1.0 FTE assignment, and then 120 short-term disability days (STLDP) at 90% of salary (STLDP often requires medical documentation) 
• -        Sick leave days are pro-rated for less than a full year assignment or less than a full time position. 
• -        LTOs who are in full-time and part time positions are expected to attend Professional Activity days at their schools according to their teaching complement/FTE. That is to say a half time / .5 LTO participates in half of the PD Days and will be paid at the LTO rate to attend.
• -        Long-Term Occasional Teachers should always check the LTO form when hired to verify that the information contained therein is accurate.
• -        Long-Term Occasional Teachers’ salaries are based on the salary grid. The yearly salary for an LTO and a permanent teacher are the same for the identical years of experience and grid placement. However, the LTO’s annual pay is divided by the 194 teaching days in the school calendar for a per diem.
• - To be eligible for benefits, LTOs must be in an assignment of 90 calendar days or longer.
• -        LTOs in the NTIP program are exempt from the evaluation component of the program.

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- Full Year Leaves: Daily TVOT members have until December 30th to request a full year, retroactive leave of absence from TVDSB's elementary Occasional Teacher List. This leave per Article L10.16, would release them from the requirement to teach 10 days in the 2024 - 2025 school year.

- Part of a Year Leaves: Daily TVOT members can request a leave of absence at any time, however the number of days they are required to teach would be pro-rated to 1 day per each  month they were active on the elementary list that school year.

Contact your TVOT Local for further details at 519-641-3936 or etfotvot@gmail.com

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You may have missed TVDSB's notice regarding Apple's upcoming iOS 26 upgrade which has 2 new features (screen unkown senders and screen unknown callers) that could impact your ability to receive TVARRIS calls. To ensure that you do not miss out on phone calls or texts from TVARRIS, you should add the Board phone number: 1 888 209 3162 to your cellphone contacts. For more information contact tvarrishelp@tvdsb.ca

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Food banks across Ontario have partnered with ETFO Provincial to launch the second annual CBC School Challenge as part of their Make the Season kind campaign. The challenge provides activities to learn about the growing issue of poverty and food insecurity. The deadline for this year's challenge is November 7/25 so visit this link for more information -  https://www.dailybread.ca/make-the-season-kind/school-challenge/ 

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