2021 COUNCIL ELECTION See pp. 44 – 57 for details. NOMINATIONS open August 18 – November 27.
SEPTEMBER 2020 THE PUBLICATION OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS
Supporting Student Success Four innovative teachers offer strategies for student success in a COVID-19 world. p. 29 WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, YOUR SEAT WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.
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Online Course Offerings FALL 2020 ● FALL/WINTER 2020 ⧫ WINTER 2021 � OPEN ENROLMENT ■
ADDITIONAL BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Visual Arts ● ⧫ � Teacher Leadership Part 1 ● ⧫ � Primary ● ⧫ � Teacher Leadership Part 2 ● ⧫ � Junior ● ⧫ � THREE-PART ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Teacher Leadership Specialist ● ⧫ � Cooperative Education Part 1 ● ⧫ � Teacher Librarian Part 1 ● ⧫ � ABQ INTERMEDIATE Cooperative Education Part 2 ● ⧫ � Teacher Librarian Part 2 ● ⧫ � Business Studies ● ⧫ � Cooperative Education Specialist ● ⧫ � Teacher Librarian Specialist ● ⧫ � English ● ⧫ � Environmental Education Part 1 NEW ● ⧫ � Teaching English Language Learners Part 1 ● ⧫ � Family Studies ● ⧫ � Environmental Education Part 2 NEW ● ⧫ � Teaching English Language Learners Part 2 ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis & Inuit Peoples Part 1 ● ⧫ � Teaching English Language Learners Specialist ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis & Inuit Peoples Part 2 ● ⧫ � Geography ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis & Inuit Peoples Specialist ● ⧫ � ONE-SESSION QUALIFICATIONS Health & Physical Education ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language Part 1 ● ⧫ � Adult Education ● ⧫ � History ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language Part 2 ● ⧫ � Classroom Management ● ⧫ � Mathematics ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language Specialist ● ⧫ � Orientation To Teaching In Ontario ● ⧫ � Science - General ● ⧫ � Guidance & Career Ed Part 1 ● ⧫ � Outdoor Experiential Education NEW ● ⧫ � Guidance & Career Ed Part 2 ● ⧫ � Safe & Accepting Schools ● ⧫ � ABQ SENIOR Guidance & Career Ed Specialist ● ⧫ � Special Ed - Behaviour ● ⧫ � Biology ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Ed (P/J) Part 1 ● ⧫ � Special Ed - Communication - Autism ● ⧫ � Chemistry ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Ed (P/J) Part 2 ● ⧫ � Special Ed - Communication - Learning ● ⧫ � Disability English ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Ed (P/J) Specialist ● ⧫ � Environmental Science ● ⧫ � Inclusive Classrooms Part 1 NEW ● ⧫ � Student Assessment & Evaluation ● ⧫ � Geography ● ⧫ � Inclusive Classrooms Part 2 NEW ● ⧫ � Teaching & Learning Through ● ⧫ � e-Learning History ● ⧫ � Inclusive Classrooms Specialist NEW ● ⧫ � Mathematics ● ⧫ � Integration of Information & Computer ● ⧫ � Teaching Combined Grades ● ⧫ � Technology in Instruction Part 1 Physics ● ⧫ � Teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit ● ⧫ � Social Sciences ● ⧫ � Integration of Information & Computer ● ⧫ � Children Technology in Instruction Part 2 Science - General ● ⧫ � Teaching LGBTQ Students ● ⧫ � Visual Arts ● ⧫ � Integration of Information & Computer ● ⧫ � Teaching Mild Intellectual Disability ● ⧫ � Technology in Instruction Specialist Use and Knowledge of Assistive Technology ● ⧫ � HONOUR SPECIALIST Kindergarten Part 1 ● ⧫ � Biology ● ⧫ � Kindergarten Part 2 ● ⧫ � TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION Business Studies ● ⧫ � Kindergarten Specialist ● ⧫ � Communications Tech Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � Chemistry ● ⧫ � Mathematics, Primary & Junior Part 1 ● ⧫ � Communications Tech Grades 11/12 ● ⧫ � Dramatic Arts ● ⧫ � Mathematics, Primary & Junior Part 2 ● ⧫ � Computer Tech Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � English ● ⧫ � Mathematics, Primary & Junior Specialist ● ⧫ � Green Industries Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language ● ⧫ � Reading Part 1 ● ⧫ � Tech Design Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � Geography ● ⧫ � Reading Part 2 ● ⧫ � Tech Design Grades 11/12 ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Education ● ⧫ � Reading Specialist ● ⧫ � History ● ⧫ � Religious Education in Catholic Schools Part 1 ● ⧫ � EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF Mathematics ● ⧫ � Religious Education in Catholic Schools Part 2 ● ⧫ � Communicating Effectively with Parents ■ Music ● ⧫ � Religious Education in Catholic Schools ● ⧫ � Creating Inclusive Work Environments ■ Specialist Physics ● ⧫ � SESSION REGISTRATION Science - General ● ⧫ � Special Education Part 1 ● ⧫ � DATES DEADLINE Social Sciences ● ⧫ � Special Education Part 2 ● ⧫ � FALL Sep 28 – Dec 04, 2020 Sep 11, 2020 FALL/WINTER Nov 09 – Feb 12, 2020 Oct 23, 2020 Technological Education ● ⧫ � Special Education Specialist ● ⧫ � WINTER Jan 25 – Apr 09, 2021 Jan 08, 2021
$685 - ABQ Primary, ABQ Junior, One-Session AQ, Three-Session AQ (excluding FSL Part 1) $745 - ABQ Intermediate, ABQ Senior, ABQ Technological Ed, Honour Specialist, FSL Part 1 $75 - Educational Support Staff
coursesforteachers.ca facebook.com/QueensCTE twitter.com/QueensCTE instagram.com/QueensCTE Contents
Upfront At the College 7 Learn. Lead. Inspire. From the Chair 9 Deputy Registrar’s Report 11 Online Course Offerings FALL 2020 ● FALL/WINTER 2020 ⧫ WINTER 2021 � OPEN ENROLMENT ■ 24 Letters to the Editor 12 ADDITIONAL BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Visual Arts ● ⧫ � Teacher Leadership Part 1 ● ⧫ � � ⧫ Primary ● ⧫ Teacher Leadership Part 2 ● � Connections Junior ● ⧫ � THREE-PART ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Teacher Leadership Specialist ● ⧫ � Cooperative Education Part 1 ● ⧫ � Teacher Librarian Part 1 ● ⧫ � PS Poll, In Your Profession, In Your Classroom, 13 ABQ INTERMEDIATE Cooperative Education Part 2 ● ⧫ � Teacher Librarian Part 2 ● ⧫ � Tools of the Trade Business Studies ● ⧫ � Cooperative Education Specialist ● ⧫ � Teacher Librarian Specialist ● ⧫ � ⧫ � ● ⧫ English ● Environmental Education Part 1 NEW ● ⧫ � Teaching English Language Learners Part 1 � Departments Family Studies ● ⧫ � Environmental Education Part 2 NEW ● ⧫ � Teaching English Language Learners Part 2 ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis & Inuit Peoples Part 1 ● ⧫ � Teaching English Language Learners Specialist ● ⧫ � Great Teaching: Student Mental Health 20 French as a Second Language ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis & Inuit Peoples Part 2 ● ⧫ � Here’s how teachers are using guidance from the College Geography ● ⧫ � First Nations, Métis & Inuit Peoples Specialist ● ⧫ � ONE-SESSION QUALIFICATIONS advisory on student mental health in their classrooms. Health & Physical Education ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language Part 1 ● ⧫ � Adult Education ● ⧫ � History ● ⧫ � French as a Second Language Part 2 ● ⧫ � Classroom Management ● ⧫ � Remarkable Teacher 24 ● ⧫ � ● ⧫ ● ⧫ Mathematics French as a Second Language Specialist � Orientation To Teaching In Ontario � Award-winning cook and TV host Mary Berg on the Science - General ● ⧫ � Guidance & Career Ed Part 1 ● ⧫ � Outdoor Experiential Education NEW ● ⧫ � high-school teacher who encouraged excellence. Guidance & Career Ed Part 2 ● ⧫ � Safe & Accepting Schools ● ⧫ � ABQ SENIOR Guidance & Career Ed Specialist ● ⧫ � Special Ed - Behaviour ● ⧫ � Biology ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Ed (P/J) Part 1 ● ⧫ � Special Ed - Communication - Autism ● ⧫ � Features Chemistry ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Ed (P/J) Part 2 ● ⧫ � Special Ed - Communication - Learning ● ⧫ � 29 Disability English ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Ed (P/J) Specialist ● ⧫ � Supporting Student Success 29 Environmental Science ● ⧫ � Inclusive Classrooms Part 1 NEW ● ⧫ � Student Assessment & Evaluation ● ⧫ � Inspiring educators offer strategies for student Geography ● ⧫ � Inclusive Classrooms Part 2 NEW ● ⧫ � Teaching & Learning Through ● ⧫ � success in a Covid-19 world. e-Learning ● ⧫ � ● ⧫ � History Inclusive Classrooms Specialist NEW Confronting Inner Conflict 34 Mathematics ● ⧫ � Integration of Information & Computer ● ⧫ � Teaching Combined Grades ● ⧫ � Technology in Instruction Part 1 When personal and professional values clash, these Physics ● ⧫ � Teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit ● ⧫ � strategies can help teachers move past their biases. Social Sciences ● ⧫ � Integration of Information & Computer ● ⧫ � Children Technology in Instruction Part 2 Science - General ● ⧫ � Teaching LGBTQ Students ● ⧫ � Visual Arts ● ⧫ � Integration of Information & Computer ● ⧫ � Teaching Mild Intellectual Disability ● ⧫ � Technology in Instruction Specialist Teacher Resources Use and Knowledge of Assistive Technology ● ⧫ � HONOUR SPECIALIST Kindergarten Part 1 ● ⧫ � Reviews 39 Biology ● ⧫ � Kindergarten Part 2 ● ⧫ � TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION Tech Class 43 Business Studies ● ⧫ � Kindergarten Specialist ● ⧫ � Communications Tech Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � Chemistry ● ⧫ � Mathematics, Primary & Junior Part 1 ● ⧫ � Communications Tech Grades 11/12 ● ⧫ � Dramatic Arts ● ⧫ � Mathematics, Primary & Junior Part 2 ● ⧫ � Computer Tech Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � Election English ● ⧫ � Mathematics, Primary & Junior Specialist ● ⧫ � Green Industries Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � Council election call 2021 44 French as a Second Language ● ⧫ � Reading Part 1 ● ⧫ � Tech Design Grades 9/10 ● ⧫ � Geography ● ⧫ � Reading Part 2 ● ⧫ � Tech Design Grades 11/12 ● ⧫ � Health & Physical Education ● ⧫ � Reading Specialist ● ⧫ � 34 Governing Ourselves History ● ⧫ � Religious Education in Catholic Schools Part 1 ● ⧫ � EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF GOODSON NICOLAS (BOTTOM) NAZARIO OGONOSKY/ANNA (MIDDLE) GRAZIANO/AGENCYRUSH.COM; CTV; ILLUSTRATIONS: PHOTO: College News, Investigation Committee 58 Mathematics ● ⧫ � Religious Education in Catholic Schools Part 2 ● ⧫ � Communicating Effectively with Parents ■ Case Study, Hearings Music ● ⧫ � Religious Education in Catholic Schools ● ⧫ � Creating Inclusive Work Environments ■ Specialist Physics ● ⧫ � SESSION REGISTRATION Science - General ● ⧫ � Special Education Part 1 ● ⧫ � DATES DEADLINE Final Exam Social Sciences ● ⧫ � Special Education Part 2 ● ⧫ � FALL Sep 28 – Dec 04, 2020 Sep 11, 2020 FALL/WINTER Nov 09 – Feb 12, 2020 Oct 23, 2020 Hamza Haq, star of Transplant, shares how 72 Technological Education ● ⧫ � Special Education Specialist ● ⧫ � WINTER Jan 25 – Apr 09, 2021 Jan 08, 2021 a drama teacher helped him find his calling. $685 - ABQ Primary, ABQ Junior, One-Session AQ, Three-Session AQ (excluding FSL Part 1) $745 - ABQ Intermediate, ABQ Senior, ABQ Technological Ed, Honour Specialist, FSL Part 1 $75 - Educational Support Staff coursesforteachers.ca facebook.com/QueensCTE twitter.com/QueensCTE instagram.com/QueensCTE September 2020 Professionally Speaking 5
EDITORIAL BOARD Chantal Côté, OCT (Acting Chair); Melissa Gaffen, OCT; Tim Kwiatkowski, OCT; Marlène Marwah PUBLISHER Richard Lewko EDITOR-IN-CHIEF William Powell Group Rates on MANAGING EDITOR Kristin Doucet Car and Home Insurance SENIOR EDITOR Melissa Campeau COPY EDITOR Geri Savits-Fine FRENCH CONTENT EDITOR Véronique Ponce TRANSLATION Thomas Brouard; Geneviève Dubé; Pierre Ducharme; Mélissa Dufour; Luci English; Julie Fournel; Lori Hall; Pamela Lipson; Eleanor Paul; Véronique Ponce; Francine Tardif; Stéphanie Tétreault CONTRIBUTORS Gabrielle Barkany, OCT; Get a Quote and be entered in our Chantal Bélisle, OCT; Richard Bercuson (reviews); Brian Jamieson; Nicole van Woudenberg, OCT; Olivia Yu Economical Insurance sweepstakes CIRCULATION Kerry Walford for a chance to win one of the ART DIRECTION, DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Studio 141 Inc.: Dave Curcio (President and Creative Director); 30 x $5000 prizes! Hannah Browne (Art Director);
MAGAZIN MAGAZIN AGAZIN MAGAZIN MAGAZIN AGAZ AGAZI U E C U E U M E U E U E M INE M NE D A D C D C D C D C U C U C X N A A A X A D A D A I IX N IX N IX N I N X N IX N R A R A A A R A I D R R R A R A Studio 141 P Inc. contributor:P D P TrevorD T.P StewartD P D P D P D S I S I S I S I S I I E E E E S I S E E E E E E E N E E 9 N N N N E 9 9 9 9 N N 9 9 3 3 3 3 3
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Just for getting a quote we will also COVER Nazario Graziano/agencyrush.com A send you a $5 Tim Hortons card.
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[email protected] Professionally Speaking is published quarterly by the Ontario College of Teachers to inform its members about the activities and decisions www.cassidyyoung.com of the College. The magazine provides a forum for discussion of issues relevant to the future of teaching and learning, teachers’ professional learning and standards of practice. The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the College. Reproduction, in whole or in part, of articles from this issue of Professionally Speaking is encouraged. Please credit the Ontario Has your email College of Teachers and Professionally Speaking, September 2020. Letters to the editor and submissions on topics of interest to the address changed? profession are welcome. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned. Subscriptions are available for $10/year in Canada ($20/year outside Canada). Please contact oct-oeeo.ca/subscribe. For College members, Professionally Speaking is included in the annual Update it today: membership fee. ISSN 1206-8799 1. Visit oct.ca Members can select their preferred distribution method — mail, email or both — via their College account in the members’ 2. Click on “Members” in the menu bar and area of our website, oct.ca, under College Communications. then “My Account” to access your account Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No 40064343 3. Click on “Contact Information” ADDRESS Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: in the left-hand menu Professionally Speaking, Ontario College of Teachers, 4. Click on “Edit” in the email section 101 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON M5S 0A1; [email protected]. ADVERTISING 5. Update your email address Dovetail Communications t. 905-886-6640 f. 905-886-6615 e. [email protected] 6. Click the “Save” button Publication of an advertisement in Professionally Speaking does not constitute an endorsement by the College of any advertiser’s product or service, including professional learning opportunities. It’s that easy! PRINTING Printed with vegetable-based inks on FSC®-certified stock at Transcontinental Printing, Owen Sound, ON. Professionally Speaking is proud to participate in Ontario’s Blue Box Recycling Program through Stewardship Ontario.
6 Professionally Speaking September 2020 College Council The College is the self-regulating CHAIR professional body for Nicole van Woudenberg, OCT Ontario teachers. Membership VICE-CHAIR is open to anyone qualified Tim Gernstein, OCT
to teach in the province and MEMBERS required to maintain an Charles Dimitry Abraham, OCT; Diane Ballantyne, OCT; Paige Bennett, OCT; John Cammarata; Bob Cooper, OCT; Ontario teaching certificate. Chantal Côté, OCT; Irene Dembek, OCT; Elizabeth Edgar-Webkamigad, OCT; Dr. Richard Filion; Rebecca Forte, OCT; Melissa Gaffen, OCT; Erin Glen, OCT; Mary Ellen Gucciardi, OCT; John Hamilton, OCT; The College is trusted to regulate the teaching Jacqueline Karsemeyer, OCT; Tim Kwiatkowski, OCT; Todd Lalonde; profession by setting standards of practice Colleen Landers; Élaine Legault; Marlène Marwah; and accrediting teacher education programs. Michelle Miner-Seal; Mary-Anne Mouawad, OCT; Sara Nouini, OCT; Bonnie Oakes Charron; Wanda Percival; Tom Potter; Nicola Powadiuk, The College also sets the requirements for OCT; Vincent Rinaldo, OCT; Jonathan Rose; Nancy Saunders, OCT; Stéphane Vallée, OCT; Jennifer Wyatt, OCT; Stephen Zimmermann, OCT entry into the profession, investigates complaints involving members and takes CEO & REGISTRAR appropriate disciplinary action. Michael Salvatori, OCT (currently on leave)
DEPUTY REGISTRAR Chantal Bélisle, OCT
DIRECTORS Roch Gallien, OCT, Standards of Practice and Accreditation Linda Lacroix, OCT, Director of Investigations and Hearings Richard Lewko, Corporate and Council Services Linda Zaks-Walker, OCT, Membership Services
AT THE COLLEGE
While College staff members con- tinued to practise physical distancing over these past several months, they still managed to connect with teacher candidates, administrators and the public through online presentations and events, offering information about the work of the College, answering questions and supporting the safety of Ontario students. 1 2 1–2) The College presented to members of the Association of Education Registrars of Ontario Universities.
3) College Deputy Registrar Chantal Bélisle spoke with Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program candidates at an event hosted by the Association des gestionnaires de l’éducation franco-ontarienne.
4) Representatives from the College connected with teacher candidates in the Aboriginal Teacher Education 3 4 PHOTOS:THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS Program at Queen’s University.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 7 University Accredited 50+AQ Courses Available
Revolutionize Your Teaching AQ | ABQ | HSQ | PQP | SOQP The teaching profession has evolved, so should you. Experience the Lakehead difference: • Innovative courses which are offered fully online, including our Principal’s Qualifi cation Program and Supervisory Offi cer’s Qualifi cation Program • Our courses focus on contemporary issues and trends in education • Flexible timings built for your schedule as an educator • Research driven curricula delivered by experienced instructional staff
VISIT LakeheadU.ca/pde FOLLOW @LakeheadPDE EMAIL [email protected] CALL (807) 343-8178
PS_Ad_Draft-2-April2014.indd 1 2020-01-03 1:35 PM University Accredited FROM THE CHAIR 50+AQ Courses Available Serve on Council Your voice is needed.
BY NICOLE VAN WOUDENBERG, OCT @Nicole_OCTOEEO
Revolutionize Your Teaching AQ | ABQ | HSQ | PQP | SOQP The teaching profession has evolved, so should you. Experience the Lakehead difference: he first time I ran for Council was in 2006. I didn’t This is an exciting time for the College. We find ourselves • Innovative courses which are offered fully online, including our Principal’s Qualifi cation win. I tried to run again in 2011, but didn’t get past at a crossroads. This Council has made recommendations Program and Supervisory Offi cer’s Qualifi cation Program Tthe nomination stage. to the Minister for changes to our governance model and is Obviously, I wasn’t deterred. In 2015, I was a successful awaiting government action. Until then, we abide by • Our courses focus on contemporary issues and trends in education candidate and began my first three years by serving on the our existing election regulation and begin the process of • Flexible timings built for your schedule as an educator seventh Council. It seems like just yesterday when I was encouraging members to consider running for Council. • Research driven curricula delivered by experienced instructional staff elected Chair and Tim Gernstein Vice-Chair at the inaugural In the December 2019 issue (oct-oeeo.ca/December2019) meeting of the eighth Council. Tim and I invited you to reflect on your experience and Together with our 37-member team, we self-regulate the consider serving as a member of Council. I am coming up teaching profession in Ontario. Professional self-regulation on my sixth year as a Council member and it has been one LakeheadU.ca/pde @LakeheadPDE is a privilege. It reaffirms that Ontario Certified Teachers of the most impactful learning experiences of my career. VISIT FOLLOW are integral to setting direction for the teaching profession. Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned Professional members who serve on Council do so in the administrator, your voice is needed at the table. I highly [email protected] (807) 343-8178 public interest. encourage members who self-identify with an under-repre- EMAIL CALL Once elected, Council members take an oath or affirma- sented group to consider serving on Council. Check out the tion confirming their duty to act and make decisions in the videos on oct.ca to learn more. Your colleagues will be happy public interest. Moreover, they explicitly affirm that “I will to nominate you: just ask them — I dare you. ensure that other memberships, directorships, voluntary Follow me at @Nicole_OCTOEEO for updates. PS or paid positions or affiliations that I may hold will not interfere or conflict with the performance of my duties
PHOTO: MATTHEW PLEXMAN MATTHEW PHOTO: as a Council member.” Nicole Van Woudenberg, OCT
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 9
PS_Ad_Draft-2-April2014.indd 1 2020-01-03 1:35 PM Get students excited about voting before they turn 18!
Elections Ontario wants to help you bring the democratic process to life in the classroom with free teaching tools available on our website at elections.on.ca/resources.
Teach 16- & 17-year-olds how to add their name to the Ontario Register of Future Voters—a list that automatically adds them to the voters list when they turn 18.
Get classroom lesson plans and exercises that teach students in Grades 5 & 10 about the democratic system.
Download Voting in Ontario teaching materials.
You can download these materials at elections.on.ca/resources. For more information, email [email protected] or call 1.888.246.3335
Just in: STEM club goes GERMAN
Interested schools can sign up for Lunch or After-School Programs for Grades Engaging, fun and free! 3 to 7 with specially Available online or in person trained teachers goethe.de/canada/kinderuni
10 Professionally Speaking September 2020 DEPUTY REGISTRAR’S REPORT Resilience What defines professionalism in Ontario educators.
BY CHANTAL BÉLISLE, OCT
ever would we have anticipated living though remotely while maintaining our commitment to protect a global pandemic. Yet, here we are. the public interest. N If we could make two observations about living Professional members continue to promote our ethical through COVID-19 over the last few months, they would standards of trust, respect, integrity and care. We identify be that resilience is required and, as practitioners, we values such as knowledge and skills that are distinctive are resilient. to the teaching profession, including professionalism, Many of you are returning to learning environments honesty, accountability and transparency, efficiency, this fall in circumstances far different from those you left effectiveness, sustainability, inclusivity and respect for abruptly earlier this year. You are required to define a new diversity, respectfulness and teamwork. “normal” from what was familiar not so long ago. The way In recent months, we’ve had to pivot to address changes you immersed yourself in new technologies within a very in legislation that have affected licensing, we have pub- short time frame in order to interact with your students lished video-conferencing guidelines to assist practition- and colleagues, in and of itself, has been astonishing. ers, and we’ve established a program to help students The changes in your respective environments brought who have been sexually abused. We have also altered about by COVID-19 demand that you consider new and our physical environment to protect our staff, visitors different ways to connect with your students, their parents and Council members. and guardians, your colleagues and your employer. We’ve learned that each moment provides a new oppor- Change can be unnerving, yet it can also serve to tunity. What remains constant is our resilience and a motivate. How you respond is as much a lesson to your reliance on each other, our adherence to our professional students as anything you’ll draw from the curriculum. and ethical standards and a positive outlook that serves Students, too, need to appreciate the importance of us — and the public we serve — come what may. PS adaptability and resiliency. The College was also required to adapt and demon- strate its resilience. Deemed an essential service, we
PHOTO: GIANTVISION PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHY quickly transitioned to provide our services working Chantal Bélisle, OCT
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 11 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
In the spirit of open conversation and to support an array of perspectives, Professionally Tell us what Speaking welcomes letters to the editor. The opinions expressed in letters are solely those of the authors and should not be interpreted as the view of the College. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters should be sent to [email protected], be in response you think! to content in the magazine, and include the writer’s phone number and registration number.
GREAT TEACHING What a joy to start my day reading this article. Great Teaching, June 2020 issue of Professionally Speaking.
Character Driven This teacher (and her teacher before her) exemplify everything that a good In everything she teaches, Pareen Gill, OCT, looks for ways to nurture the whole child. teacher should be. How sad that so many teachers do not understand that BY STUART FOXMAN establishing an environment of true mutual respect and caring is the corner- stone of successful teaching and learning. This teacher recognizes that she is not only an educator, but a parent, mentor, guide, social worker and, above
t Connaught Public School in Collingwood, Ont., Ann all, a role model to her students. This is not only an article about excellence Boucher once had a student named Pareen. School Awasn’t fun for her. Pareen, the only student there with brown skin, had been bullied the previous two years. Every day, she’d come home crying. Now, in Boucher’s in teaching, but also a guide to good parenting and to all in any leadership Grade 4 class, Pareen found an ally. Boucher showed kindness and compassion. She sought ways to compliment Pareen, and encouraged her to try out for basketball, which Boucher coached. Pareen excelled. position. Everyone, regardless of age, wants to be seen, acknowledged and “She was a special girl,” says Boucher. “I tried to make her feel good about herself and increase her confi dence.” This isn’t a story about Boucher. It’s about Pareen Gill, appreciated with kindness. OCT. That little girl decided on her career right then, in 1991 in Grade 4. “That’s why I wanted to be a teacher, to help other children the way Mrs. Boucher helped me,” says Gill. “Empathy, Retired but still invested in learning, caring and respect are values I have today because of Mrs. Boucher, who demonstrated these as a teacher. I knew one day when I was a teacher, I’d do everything to bring those traits to my students.” She has. In 2019, Gill earned a Certifi cate of Achievement from the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. The award summary states that for her, character “matters Judith (Judy) Gould, OCT, was an environmental education teacher, as much as academics.” Gill, who teaches Grade 3/4 at Nottawa Elementary School in Collingwood, is in her 13th year of teaching. She started her career at Connaught, where Boucher was her Grades 4–8, with the Durham District School Board. colleague for six years. Looking back, Gill doesn’t remember much of the curricu- Pareen Gill, OCT, fosters an inclusive and caring environment for her
PHOTO:KATHRYN GARVAN lum from when she was in Grade 4. But she vividly recalls Grade 3/4 class at Nottawa Elementary School in Collingwood, Ont.
June 2020 Professionally Speaking 15
2020 Virtual Annual Meeting of Members Wednesday, September 23, 2020 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
CHAIR’S ADDRESS ENGAGE WITH US Chair Nicole van Woudenberg, OCT, will Have questions? report on Council’s activities from last year. Send them in advance at pollev.com/octoeeo. DEPUTY REGISTRAR’S ADDRESS Deputy Registrar Chantal Bélisle, OCT, LIVE-STREAMING will refl ect on College initiatives from 2019. We’re live-streaming the meeting. Visit oct-oeeo.ca/amm2020 and COMMITTEE REPORTS click on “play.” Please ensure your Hear from the chairs of the Discipline, Governance computer or device has the minimum and Standards of Practice and Education committees. requirements to live-stream.
Register at oct-oeeo.ca/register
12 Professionally Speaking September 2020 PS POLL ILLUSTRATION: JEANNIE PHAN JEANNIE ILLUSTRATION:
Go-To Guidance Here are the top eight professional advisories and guidelines from the College you’d be most likely to reference, according to our latest poll. (Access all the College advisories at oct-oeeo.ca/advisories).
1. Supporting Students’ 5. Safety in Learning Environments — Mental Health A Shared Responsibility 2. Maintaining Professionalism — 6. Additional Qualifications: Use of Electronic Communication Extending Professional Knowledge and Social Media 7. Responding to the Bullying 3. Video-Conferencing Guidelines of Students 4. Duty to Report 8. Professional Misconduct of a Sexual Nature
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 13 IN YOUR PROFESSION Pop Quiz Do you receive with Daniel multiple Chorney, copies of the PhD magazine? BY LAURA BICKLE
Many College members live in multiple-member households. September brings with it excitement — and sometimes anxiety — for teachers. But this year, the anxiety side of the equation may have tipped the scale for If you prefer to receive only some. “If you are feeling anxious about returning you are definitely not alone. one copy of Professionally Other teaching staff, students and parents are anxious too,” says Daniel Chor- Speaking per issue, ney, PhD, a registered psychologist and member of Anxiety Canada’s Scientific please log into your Advisory Committee. He contributed to the organization’s COVID-19 website member account at section, which offers resources on return-to-school concerns and how to oct.ca/members/services. manage COVID-19-related anxiety in general. We asked Chorney to share how to help yourself, colleagues and students cope. By using our new automated tool, you’ll help save What can teachers do to be best What are the signs of anxiety? costs and reduce your prepared to return to school? Physical symptoms include upset environmental footprint. Staff should readjust expectations of stomach or nausea, headaches, racing themselves and others. The idea of heart and feeling sweaty, and sometimes “doing what you can, given the circum- feeling dizzy or shaky. Thoughts tend to stances” should be understood by all. race and focus on harm or threat (“What Think of exactly what you are if I get COVID and then spread it to my anxious about. A common experience family?”). When individuals start for individuals with anxiety is having avoiding the people, places or things that automatic thoughts. We simply believe make them anxious, they often become JUNE 2019 THE PUBLICATION OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS these thoughts without challenging what we call “functionally impaired.” them. Writing down your thoughts Some people can push through the event and looking at them more clearly is but experience extreme feelings of
JUNE 2019 ProtectingTHE PUBLICATION OF THE ONTARIO. 30 COLLEGE a helpful way to see just what it is distress. Avoidance and extreme p StudentsOF TEACHERS Safe The passage of Bill 48, the , and Supportive Classrooms Act means be er student protection, you’re anxious about. Then you can distress are typically when we recom- enhanced teacher professionalism and improved governance. decide if it’s worth worrying about mend speaking with a professional. or a helpful worry. Protecting Students The passage of Bill p48,. 3 0the and Supportive Classrooms Act What resources do you suggest means be er student protection,Safe enhanced teacher professionalism, and improved governance. How can teachers deal with for teachers to help themselves anxiety in the classroom? and their students? Work on mindfulness: focus your Our “7 Tips for Educators Returning to attention on what you are doing in School During COVID-19” (oct-oeeo.ca/ the present moment. This could anxietytips) includes strategies to mean remembering why you are an model good coping behaviours while educator (helping others, education acknowledging that sometimes you feel itself or being part of a community) anxious too — and that’s OK. We want and then holding that in your aware- children to know anxiety is normal. It’s ness while you are teaching. Just by how we deal with it that matters. being there you are engaging in and The website can also guide you to the living your values. That’s making a free MindShift CBT app, a portable tool good choice based on your values, that children, teens and adults can use and not based on anxiety. to help manage anxiety.
14 Professionally Speaking September 2020 IN YOUR PROFESSION
By the Numbers: TWEET SHEET Follow what's trending in the Cracking the Code education Twitterverse. Computer coding in the classroom. Follow us on Twitter @OCT_OEEO
BY STEVE BREARTON OISEUofT A community of passionate changemakers who are WRITING THE FUTURE advancing education, human development and profession- al practice around the world. Ontario students (aged 12 to 18) and their parents, surveyed in early 2018, who said 18.7K @OISEUofT 92% knowing how to use digital technology FOLLOWERS is very or extremely important to the students’ future. For #TreatiesRecognitionWeek @OISELibrary pulled together a list of resources for teaching Students polled who said their and learning about treaty 38% schools off ered instruction in coding rights and relationships. Check or programming. it out here: oct-oeeo.ca/ryy5x8
Next Gen Men Re/Undefining what it GENDER GAP means to “be a man” by engaging, educating, and CANADIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, BY GENDER, WHO SELF-REPORTED empowering men and boys AS BEING COMPETENT IN CODING, ACCORDING TO A 2018 STUDY: in schools, communities, and workplaces. BOYS 77.5% 4,261 @NextGenMen GIRLS 20% FOLLOWERS
DID NOT DISCLOSE 2.5% To recognize the start of #PrideMonth, youth program manager @jonathoncomfort STUDENTS WHO REPORTED THEMSELVES AS HAVING NO EXPERIENCE created a list of high-quality IN CODING, ACCORDING TO THE SAME STUDY: #LGBTQ+ children’s books for parents to read with their BOYS 24% young ones or teachers to include in their classroom. #PrideMonth2020 GIRLS 74%
DID NOT DISCLOSE 2% Canada’s History An organization with a mis- sion to make the discovery of our nation’s past relevant, engaging, empowering and HOUR OF CODE TECH SAVVY accessible. Total number of Canadian 15.2K Number of AQ @CanadasHistory 3,130 events hosted in 2019 20 courses off ered FOLLOWERS by Hour of Code, an by the College in 2020 organization dedicated that assist teachers #DYK Canada’s History has to “demystifying code.” who want to integrate educational resources about black history? Check out our computer technology Black History in Canada issue Female participation during into the classroom. of Kayak and the accompanying 50% Hour of Code events lesson plans and classroom activities! ow.ly/gi0X50zghwo Sources: Actua National Coding Survey, The Learning Partnership, Ontario College of Teachers, Hour of Code
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 15 IN YOUR CLASSROOM Professional Practice Any teacher will tell you it’s hard to take students away from their cellphones. Social media gives teens the free- dom to connect and share content, but issues of privacy, cyberbullying, internet addiction and pornography pose serious challenges. Three years ago, I created a card game called Don’t Hate the Player. Students create a story about an online experience based on a hand drawn from 92 situation and character cards. Their hand might find them dealing with online bullies, for example, or a friend who shares images without permission. Students then problem solve about their situation and learn from each other’s experiences, too. Two years ago, I presented the game at the Ontario Art Education Association’s conference. And last year, I began using the game as a teaching tool at Central Technical School. So far, it’s been a great success!
ELIZABETH BASSKIN, OCT, IS AN OCCASIONAL TEACHER WITH THE TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.
HAVE A CLASSROOM IDEA TO SHARE? Send it to us at [email protected] and your advice could be published in an upcoming issue! Check out our Professional Practice Research archive at oct-oeeo.ca/research.
New Video-Conferencing Guidelines BY STEFAN DUBOWSKI
With so many teachers turning to video conferencing to to meet in class apply in video, too. You’ll want to be as communicate with students, the Ontario College of Teach- professional in tone and language as possible. Keep ers released guidelines (oct-oeeo.ca/videoguidelines) last focused on instructional topics — nothing personal. spring to help you use the technology safely and effectively. • Prioritize safety and security — Use your professional Video is a valuable way to engage with students when judgment to make sure your video sessions are safe and they’re not in the classroom with you. It can help them feel secure: tell students and parents that videos may be connected, even when they’re isolated from their peers and recorded, and keep notes as you normally would for school. But with new tools come new responsibilities and in-person classes. challenges. “There are considerations with respect to The guidelines also point to the College’s professional technology, security, privacy, confidentiality, and consent,” advisories to help you deal with bullying and student the guidelines say, with these main recommendations. mental health, which can be complicating factors when • Follow procedures — Use employer-approved video it comes to online communication. systems. Learn all you can about the platform to ensure Along with these recommendations comes advice for confidentiality and privacy. Avoid using your personal email working with any new technology: Almost everyone involved or social media accounts to communicate with students. is learning. “Be patient with yourself, your students, with
• Stay professional — Remember, the standards you have parents and guardians.” MARTIN-NEWBERRY SIMONE ILLUSTRATION:
16 Professionally Speaking September 2020 IN YOUR CLASSROOM Apps Analysis
BY STEFAN DUBOWSKI Toca Nature DragonBox Big Numbers Habitica: Gamified Available in French Available in French Taskmanager Toca Nature offers a pristine landscape This app teaches children aged six to Available in French where players get to create wildlife, grow nine how to add and subtract multi- Habitica transforms task management forests, and find out what bears, deer digit numbers — but it’s so much fun, into a game where users become avatars and other animals love to munch on. They they might not even realize they’re on a quest for prizes. Players create also get to experience their generated learning. DragonBox Big Numbers to-do lists and identify habits, and the habitats throughout the entire day and introduces the Nooms, who plant apple app rewards them for completion. Users night as the game presents an accelerat- trees, collect fruit and do other things can win pets for their avatars or real-life ed trip around the sun lasting just a few to keep their world turning. Players help bounty such as an hour of TV. Knowing minutes. The app’s designer says he by sorting material and solving math how to set and reach goals are key steps wanted to create an environment “to problems. Instructions are minimal and to success for many high schoolers; amplify the mysteries and magical picture based so it might take time to they’re especially pertinent for students moments that could be experienced in figure things out. But if they persevere, in the Grade 12 Skills for Success After the wild.” Aligns nicely with Ontario’s players won’t want to quit. It’s ideal for Secondary School course. Main app Grade 1 science curriculum, which Grade 3s, who are starting to study content is available in English and includes understanding life systems. multi-digit addition and subtraction. French but tutorials are English only.
DEVICE Apple, Android DEVICE Apple, Android DEVICE Apple, Android SOURCE Apple App Store SOURCE Apple App Store SOURCE Apple App Store ($5.49), Google Play ($5.49) ($10.99), Google Play ($9.99) (free), Google Play (free) RATING 4+, Everyone RATING 4+, Everyone RATING 4+, Everyone
EXPAND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS OCT accredited • Ontario-based and online programs • Competitive Fees
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SCHEDULE A COURSES • Exceptional preparation for emerging leadership opportunities. ABQ — Primary, Junior and Intermediate divisions • M.S.Ed. is designed for candidates who aspire to lead educational programs SCHEDULE C COURSES (one session courses) in both the private and/or public settings. Adapting Curriculum for the Catholic School System • This 12 course program provides foundational content in subject specific areas, Teaching in the Catholic System research skills, leadership and change theories all with a 300 hour internship. Mathematics 7 and 8 • Equivalency courses for completion of PQP Part 1 and Part 2. Student Assessment and Evaluation Use and Knowledge of Assistive Technology Teaching Students with Communication Needs/Autism Spectrum Disorders Also offering: BACHELOR DEGREE IN TEACHER EDUCATION IN ONTARIO SCHEDULE D COURSES PART ONE, PART TWO AND SPECIALIST: • Two year program offered in the GTA. Teaching English Language Learners French as a Second Language For more information, call 905.294.7260 or visit us online at Guidance and Career Education www.niagara.edu/ontario. Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction Teacher Librarian Kindergarten Mathematics Primary/Junior Reading Special Education
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AQ COURSES PRINCIPAL’S QUALIFICATIONS COURSES: GO TO WWW.NIAGARA.EDU/AQ-COURSES PQP 1 and 2 905.294.7260 • www.niagara.edu/ontario
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 17 save
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As a Matter of Fact It’s never been more challenging to decipher the news. What’s true? What’s false? What’s really going on? To help students wade through this tricky terrain and learn about journalism, these compelling resources can spark discussion and learning.
BY CAELI MAZARA
1) Factitious free 5) NPR free This quiz site shines a light on fake news items, directing NPR brings its high-quality radio programming into the students to decide whether a news story is real or fake. classroom. Easy to navigate and available on a range of Students can read a snippet of the story, reveal the news devices, NPR allows students to browse an enormous data- source for a more educated guess, then click or swipe right base of audio content. Teachers can use the content to spark and left (if playing on a phone or tablet) to answer. The fun conversations, delve into curriculum material, and engage format is a great launching pad for discussions on bias. students in current events regardless of reading ability. GRADES 7–12 | VISIT factitious.augamestudio.com GRADES 8–12 | VISIT Apple App Store or Google Play
2) Curio.ca Subscription fee varies; available in French 6) Scholastic Kids Press free CBC brings its news, radio and documentary archives into the Journalism for kids by kids, the Scholastic Kids Press classroom with Curio. The database is always growing, with covers a wide range of news topics and encourages budding new content added every week. Curio offers a vast catalogue journalists. For those students who want to do more than of media, including curated collections like Climate Change, just read the news, any young reporter between the ages of Fighting Racism and Discrimination, and more. 10 and 14 can apply to join the team. GRADES K–12 | VISIT curio.ca GRADES 5–8 | VISIT kpcnotebook.scholastic.com
3) Teaching Kids News free 7) Newsfeed Defenders free Find a deep well of news articles aimed at students from This game aims to help students understand what makes Grades 2–8 on this easy-to-navigate site. Teachers can access good journalism, and how and why news can be manipulated. resources to help spot fake news, links to related podcasts, To play, students run a news site and monitor the integrity of tips for talking about difficult news, writing and discussion the site over time. They need to watch out for fake news, prompts, and reading suggestions for each story. click bait ads and more, to keep their site honest. GRADES 2–8 | VISIT teachingkidsnews.com GRADES 6–12 | VISIT icivics.org/games/newsfeed-defenders
4) Bad News 8) CIVIX free; available in French Bad News lets students take on the role of fake news produ- How does language impact understanding of the news? (Are cers. The simple design allows students to dive right in and they riots, demonstrations or peaceful protests?) How do explore the mechanics behind disinformation in news stories. social media algorithms shape perspectives? Activities and An explainer doc for educators gives helpful advice for case studies dive into headline-making events and package in-class use and links for further study. them for engaging classroom discussions.
ILLUSTRATION: AUDREY MALO/ANNA GOODSON MALO/ANNA AUDREY ILLUSTRATION: GRADES 9–12 | VISIT getbadnews.com GRADES 4–12 | VISIT newsliteracy.ca
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 19 GREAT TEACHING
Student Mental Health The College advisory Supporting Students’ Mental Health offers direction and advice to members. Here’s how many are putting those ideas into action.
BY STUART FOXMAN
n her Grade 7 class at Valley Park to build community within the room.” The College regularly issues Middle School in Toronto, Susie In 2018, the College issued an advisories on subjects critical IBarraud, OCT, knows there are many advisory called Supporting Students’ to the work of Ontario teachers ways to measure how her students are Mental Health. It aims to help members and the well-being of the faring. That’s why she wanted to talk better understand the issues, recog- province’s students. Every to one girl who lacked focus and wasn’t nize behaviours of concern, and day, members demonstrate keeping up with her work. It wasn’t just respond appropriately. their professionalism and the academics that worried Barraud. What are some Ontario Certified judgment by applying the Was something wrong? Teachers doing to take the ideas and guidance in the advisories Barraud had built trust with the recommendations in the advisory to their work on behalf of student over the school year, so the and bring them to life every day? Ontario students. girl confided. Her father was control- It starts with how a teacher frames In this issue: Supporting ling and overbearing, which had mental health supports. This isn’t just Students’ Mental Health taken a toll. “Her self-esteem was about mental illness. As the advisory shot, she was sad all the time, and notes, optimal mental health is also she didn’t know where to fit in,” about having the ability to adapt, cope says Barraud, who’s also curriculum and manage thoughts, feelings and Professional leader for Wellness, Inclusion and behaviours. That’s mental wellness. Advisory Social Justice. Every student, whether they have a Supporting Students’ Mental Health The girl felt better just discussing specific mental health challenge or not, her feelings. Barraud found another needs an encouraging space in which to way to help. At times, she sat the girl learn. Providing one matters for learning near two other students who were and for mental health, and teachers are also dealing with anxiety, and gave expert in cultivating such spaces. them group work. The three students “Wellness encompasses physical, became friends and formed a mutual emotional and cognitive aspects of support society. well-being. When all of those components “We all carry baggage and can help are addressed in classrooms each other move through it,” says and schools, you have a nourishing Barraud. “The classroom teacher has environment,” says Sharon Pyke, OCT,
20 Professionally Speaking September 2020 GREAT TEACHING
“Kids want to be heard. They don’t Signs of always need advice, concern but they do need Educators can, through an outlet.” awareness, understanding, experience and initiative, — Susie Barraud, OCT keep learning environments functional, inclusive, safe and welcoming to support learning superintendent of education — He understands that the way children and help students to excel. Student Well-Being, Greater Essex deal with success, failure, school and County District School Board. life revolves greatly around their mental In the scope of their practice, Paying attention to students’ mental health. “I’m focused on the whole of the teachers cannot diagnose health isn’t an add-on, she says, it’s student,” says Doherty. ailments or propose treatment. foundational. “School has to be a safe Everyday interactions take a However, teachers’ roles place intellectually and emotionally,” different flavour when you view them enable them to observe says Pyke. as a chance to enhance wellness too. students closely. They are Reflecting on the College advisory, Lindsay Drozdz, OCT, puts a mental often the first to see changes Barraud says teachers can bolster health lens on things like being visible in student behaviour. wellness through routine practices. and approachable between classes, She papers her classroom door with waving and smiling at students, and Signs for possible concern inspirational quotes to set a positive asking how their day is going. may include: tone. Barraud often talks to the “Students need a sense that they’re students about their ups and downs wanted. Just having a caring adult is • significant drops in to normalize those conversations, critical,” says Drozdz, a student success school marks; and takes a keen interest in their teacher at Essex District High School, • changes to sleeping or lives outside school. “Get to know the about a 20-minute drive from Windsor. eating habits; people your students are,” she says. That feeling of care can come across • avoiding friends and family; It sounds basic but these efforts in many ways. What if a student says add up. Barraud notes the importance they blanked on a test? Pyke says it’s • frequent, angry outbursts; of creating a sense of connection and important to validate emotions. So don’t • drinking a lot and/or belonging — “an awareness of each solve problems for them, don’t say they using drugs; other,” she says. probably did better than they think, and Simple things can matter. “How’s don’t tell them it’s OK because the test • not doing things they the weather?” That’s how Tom Doherty, doesn’t count for much. usually like to do; OCT, greets each of his students as Instead, acknowledge that they’re • worrying constantly; the day begins. Their answers — sunny, upset. This communicates that you • frequent mood swings; rainy, stormy, cloudy — correspond to empathize with what they’re experien- how they’re feeling. cing, without trying to talk them out • obsession or lack of concern Doherty teaches kindergarten to of the feeling. Then ask why they think about weight/appearance; Grade 2/3 at St. John School in Red they blanked, and discuss ways to • lacking energy or motivation; Lake, Ont. (in the northwest region avoid that in the future. • feeling down; and of the province), which is part of “That can build important skills like the Kenora Catholic District School resilience,” says Pyke. “It’s not just an • risky behaviour. Board. Having the children become opportunity to learn, but also a mental mood meteorologists makes them wellness moment.” See the advisory, background- more aware of their emotions, and Hafiz Printer, OCT, keeps an eye er and video — with information more comfortable talking about them on how his students perceive them- about detection, intervention in plain language. That also helps selves. He says some who struggle and support — at oct-oeeo.ca/ Doherty decide when he needs to become self-critical. They might tell StudentMentalHealth. lend a hand. themselves, “I’m not good enough” or
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 21 GREAT TEACHING
Students might tell themselves, “I can’t do this.” Printer’s solution: add the word “yet” to those statements. Changing that language can shift a student’s mindset.
— Hafiz Printer, OCT
“I can’t do this.” Printer’s solution: School Board of Eastern Ontario. add the word “yet” to those state- Rowling has described her own ments. Just changing that language clinical depression, and said the Be Aware of can shift a student’s mindset, says Dementor characters in The Prisoner Printer, who teaches Grades 7–12 of Azkaban can be a metaphor for her Boundaries at the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious experiences. In the book, Harry faced Education Board Canada. psychological distress, and feelings of Always maintain a profession- He’s mindful of the small things that despair and isolation. Anyone can, any al relationship with students can support the classroom function time. Barraud wanted her students to and recognize that each and also mental health. For instance, see how Harry dealt with and over- situation is different. Respect Printer says that when students have came those challenges. students’ personal space a chance to lead some of their learn- “The kids love it — wow, Harry had when addressing concerns ing, it builds confidence and offers these cognitive distortions,” says about behaviour. Ensure that them more voice and choice. Barraud. “It becomes relatable. They they understand what you can Tesa Fiddler, OCT, says even something realize they’re not alone. It’s a platform and cannot do in your role. as benign as letting students pick their to let kids write about what they feel.” With respect to communicat- seats can have a mental health benefit, If you’re not feeling healthy, in every ing electronically online and by helping them to self-regulate. “It gives way, it’s harder for learning to hap- via social media, act online them agency in their learning, and pen, says David Benay, OCT, a health as you would as a professional responsibility. Students feel more in and physical education teacher in in person. Observe, listen, control,” says Fiddler, co-ordinator of Orléans, Ont. inform and involve others, but Indigenous education at the Thunder At École élémentaire publique do not counsel unless this is Bay Catholic District School Board. Jeanne-Sauvé, Benay teaches the your role and you have the Mental health literacy can be woven children about mindful movement appropriate training. Beware into the curriculum too. For instance, (such as doing a live action version of of over-care or over-stepping Barraud used the J.K. Rowling book the Mastermind board game). On long boundaries. For example, be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban walks, he asks them to get in touch aware that some students can to help her class explore themes of with their senses — the feel of grass, misconstrue help as intimacy. depression and anxiety. She started the the sounds of birds. Or he’ll let them Consult your principal or lessons before the COVID-19 outbreak, organize games and choose their vice-principal frequently. then continued online, at the very time activities. Together, it all helps the her students were facing the stress of students to focus, be in the moment, Professionals also practise lockdown and disruption. hone leadership and self-regulate. self-care. Recognize your This was all based on Harry Potter Benay says we used to think that stressors and know the and the Prisoner of Azkaban: A Cognitive classroom lessons improved us above resources that are available Behaviourial Therapy (CBT) Novel Study, the shoulders, and the gym below the to you. developed by Dr. Mark Sinyor, a psychia- shoulders. Not so. “You can’t separate trist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences the head from the body. Both learning Excerpted from the College advisory, Supporting Centre in Toronto, and Donaleen Hawes, environments need to take care of the Students’ Mental Health. psychologist and superintendent of entire body,” he says.
education for the Catholic District Beyond day-to-day learning, other DROZDZ LINDSAY (LINDSAY) PHOTOGRAPHY; SOFIYA ANNA (HAFIZ) KNOX; MONICA (SUSIE) PHOTOS:
22 Professionally Speaking September 2020 GREAT TEACHING
Drodz watches for changes that could be signs of concern, like drops in grades or attendance, high-risk behaviours, angry outbursts, or lack of motivation.
— Lindsay Drozdz, OCT
aspects of the school environment can she’s had a stressful week (while still promote mental wellness. maintaining healthy boundaries). As At Drozdz’s school, classes painted a result, “Students feel relief,” says rocks for World Kindness Day (the Drozdz. “They learn they aren’t alone.” Learn more school’s courtyard was filled with more Drozdz watches for changes that • College advisory than 500), giving teachers a chance to could be signs of concern, like drops Supporting Students’ talk about what kindness looks like and in grades or attendance, high-risk Mental Health: oct-oeeo.ca/ why it’s important. Drozdz also points behaviours, angry outbursts, or lack StudentMentalHealth to intramural sports that build school of motivation. And she’s aware of the spirit and assemblies that have themes guidance, social work and mental health • Canadian Mental Health surrounding compassion or resilience. professionals who can intervene. That’s Association: cmha.ca What do these events have in critical when students might be in crisis common? “Many just appear to be fun, (e.g., self-harming, suicidal thoughts). • Centre for Addiction and but their value, in creating a safe and The College advisory underscores a Mental Health: camh.ca inclusive community, goes a long way teacher’s primary job. “It’s looking • Children’s Mental Health to support mental health,” says Drozdz. after a student’s holistic well-being. Ontario: cmho.org Sometimes, students need more Students can’t learn if they don’t have explicit support. As the College advisory their basic needs met. Part of that is • School Mental Health Ontario: states, teachers should ask themselves love and security,” says Fiddler. smho-smso.ca what they’re doing to create a caring Teachers have a unique vantage environment in which students feel point, reminds Barraud. She says • Mental Health Commission valued, engaged and respected. That’s school is the very place that’s a hotbed of Canada: mentalhealth part of it. What also matters is knowing of emotions, as students grapple with commission.ca enough about mental health to remove learning demands, peer pressure and stigmas, detect issues, and either help their social and physical development. • SickKids, Centre for directly or draw on the right school, It’s also where students might reveal Brain & Mental Health: board and community resources. much about the issues they’re facing, sickkids.ca/ Drozdz holds community circles in in what they say or how they act. Know Brain-Mental-Health her class, using a ball as a talking your student “and when something • Aboriginal Health piece. Every student can respond or seems off,” says Barraud. Access Centres: pass on every prompt. She chooses Know your own capabilities too. allianceon.org/aboriginal- prompts that support mental health, Educators aren’t mental health health-access-centres even if it’s just to ask what’s one thing experts, but don’t have to be to support that’s going well or not going well. their students. They just have to be • Government of Ontario: Depending on their answers, Drozdz nurturing teaching professionals. ontario.ca/page/mental- notes which students she wants to “Kids want to be heard, so we have health-services-children- touch base with privately. to become better listeners,” adds and-youth “If a positive and trusting climate is Barraud. “They don’t always need established, students feel more advice, but they do need an outlet. You • TeenMentalHealth.org: comfortable sharing,” Drozdz says. don’t need a psychology degree to let teenmentalhealth.org She, too, shares with students if students know that they matter.” PS
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 23 24 Professionally Speaking September 2020 REMARKABLE TEACHER
Recipe for Success TV cook and MasterChef Canada champion Mary Berg credits her high school history teacher, Nancy Malcolmson, with encouraging her to ask questions, think critically and go the extra mile.
BY BILL HARRIS
ary Berg, star of the cooking series Mary’s Kitchen Crush and former champion on MasterChef Canada, admits she has always been “a bit of Ma gold-star kid. Give me a sticker? Yes! I really like a gold star.” With all of her recent success, Berg feels it’s time to give someone else a gold star. She’s enthusiastically awarding it to Nancy (Turner) Malcolmson, OCT, her history teacher in Grades 10, 11 and 12 at Pine Ridge Secondary School in Pickering, Ont. “She’s one of those teachers who could do anything, but I couldn’t imagine her doing anything else, because of how much impact she’s had on so many people,” Berg says. “She was just so pumped about history! Canadian history in particular! She was so engaging and had such a presence that I think every single person in her class listened and took something home.” Berg says that anything and everything she has done since high school has been greatly aided by the enduring lessons Malcolmson taught, which went well beyond the history curriculum. Malcolmson was a strong female role model whose influence on Berg extended into the concepts of having an analytical approach, looking at things with a critical eye, and understanding that it’s fine to have opinions as long as you can back them up. “When everyone’s going through adolescence and teendom, high school teachers have so much more influence than just the subject they’re teaching,” says Berg. She adds that she reached out to Malcolmson after high school as well, when she needed a confidence boost in her early days at Wilfrid Laurier University while studying for an undergrad degree (which she followed with a master’s degree at the University of Toronto). “I think she knew at the time how much she meant to me, but it would be lovely for her to know that her influence has continued,” Berg says. “Because honestly, with everything that’s happening in the world right now, being able to look back critically on history and not just take it as written, but take it in the context in which it was written, is more valuable than ever, and that’s something she taught.” Malcolmson, who still is teaching at Pine Ridge, is gratified to hear such complimentary words coming from a former student. “Obviously, this is a real honour,” she says. “If I gave her some encouragement, I’m just so happy, because that’s what I try to do. To know that you’re still in there somewhere, being that voice, that’s pretty amazing.”
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26 Professionally Speaking September 2020 REMARKABLE TEACHER
Malcolmson wants everyone to know that the Mary Berg the public sees on TV is the real Mary Berg. “That is who she is!” she says. “I cheered for her on MasterChef Canada, and then on her own show (Mary’s Kitchen Crush). Certainly, Berg’s bubbly, energetic and warm personality comes across on television as she displays her substan- tial cooking skills. But looking back on what she was like when she first entered Nancy Malcolmson’s history class in Grade 10, Berg doesn’t think her subsequent “left turn,” as she puts it, into becoming a public person is something anyone could have predicted. Berg recalls. “My high school years were spent in genuine pursuit of academia. I’ve always loved reading and researching, distilling facts, drawing connections, and then taking all those Nancy Malcolmson, OCT, teaches history at Pine Ridge Secondary School in Pickering, Ont. things and dialing them into a piece of work to convey how you feel.” “I still have the DVD she made when Mary wouldn’t be the first to speak So Berg was inclined to like history she had to do a Grade 12 presentation on up, Malcolmson recalls, “but once you anyway, but it turns out Malcolmson was the War of 1812. Other students make got her going, she had convictions, and absolutely the right teacher at the right videos, but that wasn’t enough for Mary, they’d come out in the best possible time. “She really sparked something in no, no, no,” Malcolmson says with a way. So looking back now, I can see all me,” Berg recalls. “She was always so chuckle. “If you’re Mary, you can’t under- the elements there. She just needed encouraging of our opinions and feelings, stand the War of 1812 unless you grab the time and the opportunity to put but you had to back them up. It was a your mom, load her in a car, drive her them together.” She adds, “She had ‘find what you’re interested in, but you down (to Queenston, Ont.) to Brock’s more risk-taking in her than she need to give me the potatoes with the Monument and every other spot of realizes. She would have been good at meat’ kind of thing.” historical significance, and record the whatever she tried.” Malcolmson says one of the pillars whole thing, and then bring it back and When it comes to things Berg does of her teaching philosophy dates back create this piece of amazing teaching.” well, her talent for cooking — a skill that to a specific incident when she was The presentation even included a has opened doors for her in the TV world facing her own career choices. blooper reel. “I think I cried, I was — was obvious back then, too. “I was While studying at the University of laughing so hard,” says Malcolmson. that kid who would bake and bring Toronto, Malcolmson recalls a formative “And everybody learned something.” things into class,” Berg admits. moment when she considered a career But Berg insists the reason she was Malcolmson confirms, “The baked in law. To help her decide, her mother so enthused, and willing to even try stuff came to school a lot. She was arranged a meet-up and conversation something like that, was Malcolmson. amazing at it and she’d work it into with a lawyer. “He told me very nicely, “Again, I wasn’t the most outgoing presentations. That was just Mary.” but very bluntly, that I’d be limited in person, I wasn’t in drama — I painted Between memories of high school my career because I was a woman. sets for plays, but I wasn’t in them,” and its projects (baked goods includ- When I decided I wanted to become a Berg says. “But that project on the ed) and support of current successes, teacher, I never forgot that incident. I Battle of Queenston Heights was one of there’s clearly mutual admiration told myself, ‘I don’t ever want to be that my favourite projects in high school.” between the two. Malcolmson is proud person who limits someone, rather While Berg remembers herself as of Berg’s accomplishments. And the than giving them encouragement.’” being quiet and timid in her high school former student is grateful for her Malcolmson’s brand of smart days, Malcolmson put an interesting teacher’s influence and guidance. encouragement opened up a whole twist on that theory. “If you had asked Gold stars, all around. PS new world of possibilities for Berg. For me then, I don’t know if I would have example, they both fondly remember a expected it,” Malcolmson says, referring In this profile, notable Canadians honour video project Berg did on the War of to Berg’s TV career. “I could have seen the teachers who have made a difference in their lives and have embraced the College’s 1812. And true to form, both credit the her being a teacher. I know she says she Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession,
PHOTOS: (PREVIOUS PAGE) CTV; (THIS PAGE) ERIC MALCOLMSON ERIC CTV; PAGE) (THIS (PREVIOUS PAGE) PHOTOS: other for its success. was shy, but she could turn it on.” which are care, respect, trust and integrity.
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1907 Tandia_Meritline_ProfSpeak 8.125x10.75_v3.indd 1 2019-12-18 10:11 AM Supporting Student Success Inspiring educators offer strategies for student success in a COVID-19 world.
BY TEDDY KATZ
OVID-19 turned lives upside down she’s infused in her teaching over her for teachers and students alike. 17-year career. CThis pandemic has highlighted She often turns to unique hands-on in big yellow marker the types of experiential projects that help her skills students are going to need to be students develop the skills they need successful in life and in their careers: to be successful. self-reliance, creativity, critical One project last year is a case in thinking, reinvention and resilience. point. The Grade 9 IB students at Four innovative Ontario Certified her high school taking science and Teachers share how they’ve taught French courses participated in an these skills in unique ways both in interdisciplinary activity. They were and outside of their classrooms. matched with younger students at a nearby French Immersion elemen- BRINGING CREATIVITY INTO tary school. The goal was to have THE CLASSROOM the high school students teach a When an award-winning science bilingual science lesson to the teacher at Glenforest Secondary elementary kids. School in Mississauga, Ont., stands The elementary school children in front of her class, her mind is on spent a day at the high school, and much more than the content. the older students tested out their “I’m always thinking about what lessons on the youngsters. They then creative ways I can come up with to refined their lessons and created an make it memorable because when I illustrated children’s science book think of my high school days, I don’t featuring the elementary students remember the content I learned,” says as characters in the book. Diana Wang-Martin, OCT, laughing. “Through projects like this one, we “I remember the projects I did and are not just teaching kids the science the experiences.” content but also giving them the In 2018, Wang-Martin received the chance to build the skills they need,” Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Wang-Martin explains. “By working Diana Wang-Martin, OCT Excellence for her innovative methods with each other as well as with the
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 29 “What I saw was the need for high expectations. There was a need to help [the students] not be afraid to shine.”
elementary kids they’re building their TACKLING SYSTEMIC RACISM leadership, collaboration and com- Just a few months into his first job munication skills in particular.” as a teacher, Terrance Saunders, OCT, She adds, “Very quickly they realized was asked by his principal to come that some of their lessons were too to her office at a school in a Toronto detailed or too complex. And on the neighbourhood with one of the city’s spot, they had to use their creativity to highest child poverty rates. bring it down to a level the elementary The principal had visited his class students could understand.” and saw the Grade 1 students rotating Wang-Martin is now trying to find through activities that Saunders had funding to get the illustrated book been trained to teach them. Trem- published. “I’ve been told that I’m not bling, he didn’t know how to respond able to keep things small,” she laughs. when the principal said she had It is the same with extracurricular concerns. “I’m not sure there is programs Wang-Martin spearheads. learning taking place,” she said. “Our She helped form a STEM (Science, children need something different.” Technology, Engineering and Math) The young teacher was devastated club, which caught the attention of and near tears. But it became a Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. defining moment. “It shifted my Under her guidance, a group of teaching to the realities of what do you students organized three mammoth do with children who arrive at school conferences, including one that already marginalized,” Saunders says. featured close to 1,800 students from “The principal just knew these children all over Canada, with the aim to get needed a special kind of teaching to more students interested in STEM. show them they could be successful.” One year student organizers Thirty-four years later, Saunders partnered with an organization and has found innovative ways to engage raised about $90,000 in sponsorship his students, many of whom are from and brought in 50 speakers including single-parent homes. industry leaders from Microsoft, In 2019, he was awarded a certifi- Siemens and General Motors. cate of achievement from the Prime Another year they even invited Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Minister Trudeau. He was unable to Excellence for the way he’s turned attend, however, the students kept to the power of the arts, drama and reaching out to him on Twitter with dance, and integrated that with Wang-Martin’s encouragement. language arts and social studies. Eventually after some back and forth This, in turn, has helped the Grade 6 with the Prime Minister’s staff, they to 8 students he now teaches build were invited to Ottawa to meet him. their self-esteem and confidence. “The kids will remember that for “What I saw was the need for high the rest of their lives. And I will too. expectations. There was a need to help I think they learned from that the them not be afraid to shine,” Saunders Terrance Saunders, OCT idea of resilience. If you really want says. “They bring with them the something and you just keep pushing, insecurity, the impact of subtle racism, it can happen.” and all the stereotypes of society.”
30 Professionally Speaking September 2020 Saunders teaches his students himself teaching then, but “it was about critical thinking and how to certainly an experience that has ask difficult questions. He uses an impacted me greatly because I saw anti-oppression and culturally relevant the care and love she provided for not framework and pedagogy with his only me but all the students.” Now the students. He often has them examine 62-year-old recognizes he found his key events in history by looking at calling. “This is my gift. A friend of those who were excluded and silenced mine said to me recently, you are still — something his students can relate going to be [teaching] at 90.” to from their own experience. The hope is through these stories the students PROMOTING SELF-RELIANCE will find their own voice. Venessa Poirier, OCT, believes it’s The year’s work culminates in the never too early to teach self-reliance annual drama production Saunders and to empower students to take produces. “I don’t do Disney,” he laughs. control of their own learning — even One theatrical production explored if it’s before they know how to read the traditional narratives of Confeder- and write. ation amid Canada 150 celebrations Poirier teaches Grade 1 at École by looking at it from the perspective élémentaire catholique Lamoureux of non-signatories to the British North in Ottawa. The school is one of a America Act. handful there that uses a cutting He included segments showcasing edge approach to teaching: putting often forgotten contributions from the students in charge of what they Sikh- Canadian soldiers fighting for do for a few hours every day. Canada, the No. 2 Construction Poirier lets them know what they Battalion of 1916 of African-Canadians, need to complete in two-week the plight of Indigenous youth in intervals, and the students decide residential schools, and the treatment on their own what they want to work of Chinese-Canadians in the Second on and progress at their own pace. World War. It’s called “personalized learning” Another production focused on and it turns her classroom into a the life of Michaëlle Jean, after she beehive of activity. The six- and became the first Black person to be seven-year-olds learn to think on their named Governor General. The students own as they walk around her classroom researched her life as an immigrant to to get their worksheet and the tools Canada, learned about some of the that they need to complete the work. early racism she endured and per- “It makes the students become a lot formed a play about her life that the more responsible,” Poirier says. She Governor General attended. According adds, “The students are motivated to Saunders she was moved to tears. by this type of learning. It is new and “Her story was very powerful. It was a different for them.” wonderful way to champion her as an She also introduces her students educator. Her nomination to this post to computers and using apps to is indicative of what education can do complete some projects. for you,” he says. At the beginning of the year, the Saunders cast one of his Muslim Grade 5 and 6s come into the class students wearing a hijab in the role to show her students how to use a of Michaëlle Jean. “I wanted to ensure Chromebook for the first time. Within that a first generation Muslim girl an hour, Poirier says her children are wearing a hijab could envision herself experts. Even more impressive is as a leader.” how they learn to respond when the Saunders’s mother had been his internet is down, or when they forget Venessa Poirier, OCT Grade 2 teacher when he was growing to plug in their computer and have to
ILLUSTRATIONS: NAZARIO ILLUSTRATIONS: GRAZIANO/AGENCYRUSH.COM up in the Bahamas. He never saw turn to pencil and paper. “They are
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 31 able to adapt to different situations. goals, shut out distractions and have By teaching them in these different pride in their Indigenous roots. ways, they just become more resili- Six years ago, Liddicoat led a team ent,” Poirier says. that fundraised and developed a That became even clearer when First Nations Trade School within the COVID-19 hit and many children in the school. They completely transformed province struggled when they had to classrooms built in the 1960s into four turn to online learning. Poirier says state-of-the-art shops for teaching her students seemed to adapt without manufacturing technology, transpor- difficulty because they were already tation technology and culinary arts. using the technology. “We’re teaching them so many Through her online teaching, Poirier valuable life skills,” Liddicoat says. is able to work with students at “Like making food, or just knowing how different learning levels. “I’m able to things work and how to fix them.” He give a student who is struggling extra adds, “These are skills that they can use help, and with someone who is more in any industry or take back with them successful, I’m able to push them into their communities. The demand is further,” Poirier says. there in their [northern] communities. After eight years teaching this way, They need cooks, carpenters or entre- Poirier has changed how she introdu- preneurs … there’s a huge need for ces new topics. At the beginning of her people who work in the trades.” career, she would explain everything Liddicoat says these are valuable off the top. Now she keeps her jobs and the COVID-19 crisis has comments to a minimum and lets the demonstrated that. “You can see with students lead the discussion. “Every- the pandemic — a lot of the people thing starts from their point of view who work in the trades are [essential].” and what they observe. That’s a Liddicoat focuses on project-based good way to let them become more learning where students develop skills curious,” Poirier says. by using their imaginations to design and solve problems to build something REINVENTION AND RESILIENCE that performs a function. One of the Ken Liddicoat, OCT, is a perfect favourites for his students was example of how students can reinvent building electric guitars. themselves. And if they have the right Last year, his manufacturing skills in their tool belt, they can make students worked with the construc- quite an impact. tion class to build wooden buddy Liddicoat had worked as an auto benches now found throughout the mechanic for 16 years when, in 2007, a school. His manufacturing students friend recommended he go into teach- designed the metal detail that was ing. Twelve years later, he became a embossed onto the benches using 2019 recipient of an Indspire Award for Oji-Cree syllabics. his significant contribution to Indigen- One of the highlights for Liddicoat ous student success. comes every year when the school “We’re making a difference in travels to one of the 24 feeder com- students’ lives,” Liddicoat says. munities to play hockey and broom- “It’s very humbling.” ball. Last year, they drove 18 hours to Liddicoat, who is non-Indigenous, Sandy Lake First Nation where he saw teaches at Dennis Franklin Cromarty one of his former students working as High School in Thunder Bay, Ont., a the school’s maintenance supervisor. private Indigenous school that serves “Whether or not I had a direct 24 remote northern communities. influence on him choosing that as a Ken Liddicoat, OCT Most of the students fly in and are career, being able to see him using boarded in the city. The school tries those skills to benefit his community to teach them how to be resilient, set is a huge feel good.” PS
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Confronting Inner Conflict When personal and professional values clash, these strategies can help teachers reflect on and move past their biases, beliefs and understanding.
BY JENNIFER LEWINGTON
s professionals, teachers Sometimes teachers find them- science, robotics and business at a commit themselves to high selves at odds with contentious school high school in St. Marys, Ont., cites Astandards of practice to board policies. At Avon Maitland some success stories from collabora- promote student success. But like District School Board, recognized for its tions with education assistants the rest of society, they also draw pioneering efforts to end segregation of assigned by the board to work with on personal experiences, cultural those with physical and intellectual students with learning disabilities in traditions and, sometimes, religion disabilities, veteran elementary his classroom. Still, he questions the to define their identity. teacher Amy Kipfer, OCT, previously value of full inclusion when high-needs A collision between personal values worked as board coach for full inclu- students attend a regular class at the and professional obligations poses sion, advising teachers on how to expense of participating in potentially special challenges for teachers when manage this new challenge. beneficial physical therapy or life skill their personal views don’t align with how Her first step was to listen. “You sessions outside the classroom. they are expected to handle sensitive have to be open to a conversation, one- Alexander and his board start in topics such as teaching sex-ed, manag- on-one with a colleague, to hear them the same place — what’s best for the ing the classroom, fostering gender and and their concerns,” she says. As a child? — but may not always agree racial diversity, and promoting inclusion coach, she looked to a teacher’s past on the answer. In supporting all his of learners with special needs. Learning experiences with students with special students, Alexander adopts two to recognize — and resolve — inner needs to identify effective pedagogical strategies to ease his inner conflict. conflicts is key to professional satisfac- strategies. “Ultimately the teacher One is his willingness to experiment. tion, say education leaders. wants to see that the student has In the classroom he hangs a sign that “It is so important for teachers to success in the class,” she says. reads “This could fail” — a motto to be true to themselves, to be genuine That same goal motivates Chris- encourage students to try their best and human,” says Cathy Bruce, OCT, topher Alexander, OCT, a high school even when not all works out as planned. president of the Association of teacher for 11 years, conflicted over He applies that same approach to Canadian Deans of Education and what he views as a well-intended teaching all students, including those dean of Trent University’s School of policy that he feels sometimes misses with special needs. “I still have the Education and Professional Learning. the mark for some of his students. ability to try and give it my darndest.” “When we are not true to ourselves, “Most teachers are in it to get the best The other is a commitment to we don’t last in the profession.” for the students and the best out of transparent conversations. In job Equally important, she adds, is for students,” he says. “The full-inclusion applications, he says, “I have been a teacher “to be a professional and to policy didn’t necessarily seem, all the candid in saying ‘I understand what be ethical in the care of all students time, to be doing that and, in fact, you are doing, I understand the intent, .... The job is to allow the student to often was running contrary to that.” but hire me knowing I don’t think it is flourish in their own way.” Alexander, who teaches computer perfect yet.’”
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 35 A recent peer-reviewed study by education researchers in the United States found teachers as likely as non-teachers to have racial bias, underscoring the need for teacher training and supports. “We found, perhaps not surprisingly, that teachers have similar levels of bias [as] non-teachers,” says Natasha Warikoo, a sociologist at Tufts Univer- sity and a co-researcher on the study. “We have this idea that schools can be the place where teachers are miracu- lously going to guide kids and create an unbiased racial democracy,” she adds. “That’s unrealistic because teachers are part of society. Why would you expect them to be different?” She says effective teachers reflect on their grading and discipline practi- ces — and invite colleagues into the classroom as observers — to guard against unconscious race or gender discrimination. High-performing teachers, she adds, ask: “What do I need to do as an educator to support A different inner conflict plays issue “becomes tricky,” when rigid the students in front of me?” out when teachers, thrust into discipline produces unintended The answer is not always obvious. unfamiliar settings, struggle to consequences, such as penalizing Several years ago, Alana Butler, OCT, recalibrate their practice. The young Black men more than white was an occasional teacher of social “biggest clash” occurs when students for the same infraction. studies who worked with at-risk French-language teachers from Africa-born Aidouni, a former elemen- students at a Toronto high school. big-city schools with 20 or so children tary and high school principal in Ottawa, When a student rushed up to embrace in the same grade move to small-town recalls one incident in which some Black her in the school hallway to celebrate northern Ontario, where low-enrol- students engaged in a boisterous an achievement, Butler was chastised ment schools combine students from conversation in a school hallway. by a fellow teacher for ignoring the multiple grades in the same room, “I could see some teachers looking school’s “no hugging” policy. says Mireille Major-Levesque, OCT, at them uneasily as if they were doing Butler, now an assistant professor of superintendent of education at something wrong and needed to be at-risk learners and student success at Conseil scolaire de district catholique watched more closely,” he says. Queen’s University faculty of education, des Aurores boréales. Instead, he encouraged the teachers never initiated hugs but also felt it was “It’s a completely different way of to “laugh and joke with them, share wrong to push away a student. functioning,” she says, with teachers stories and break the ice rather than “It was a dilemma for me,” says expected to rethink programs for adopting a suspicious attitude about Butler, who counsels teacher candi- “busy bees in one classroom all doing what is going on.” dates to follow school policy while different things.” Such overtures, he says, build recognizing that research finds value in Discipline issues also generate inner trust between teachers and students “therapeutic hugs” for at-risk students. angst when experienced teachers find instead of stoking suspicion based When teachers are uneasy about themselves out of step with shifting on fear or misconceptions. meeting their obligations to teach social norms. The Ontario College of Teachers is sensitive topics, such as sex-ed and “Sometimes teachers have varied currently working on a new resource on gender identity, one solution lies in expectations of what students need to anti-oppressive practices, developed tapping pedagogical resources. do and how kids should be behaving,” by and for designers and instructors of Amid the 2018–19 controversy says Amine Aïdouni, a superintendent Additional Qualification courses, with over a revised Ontario sex education of schools with Conseil des écoles teachers invited to critically explore curriculum, Trent University School of
publiques de I’Est de l’Ontario. The their beliefs and biases. Education assistant professor Denise GOODSON NICOLAS OGONOSKY/ANNA ILLUSTRATIONS:
36 Professionally Speaking September 2020 Handlarski designed six short video collegiality,” he says. “Effective tutorials with matter-of-fact tips for collaboration needs a moral purpose Helpful teachers to ease their anxiety. and usually a clear focus and structure, But she is emphatic that, as profes- but it also needs solidarity. Solidarity resources sionals, teachers are obligated to does not mean compliance; it means Here are some learning resources explain uncomfortable topics. “If you are high trust with high openness.” to aid in reconciling personal teaching Grades 1 to 6 or 7/8, you could That approach underpins the culture views and professional obligations: be expected to teach sex-ed,” says of Resurrection Catholic Secondary Handlarski. “If that is a hard ‘no’ for School in Kitchener, Ont., which serves The Ontario College of Teachers you, then this isn’t the right job for you.” students from 100 countries. Last year, has a website link to professional development on topics that include That same clear-eyed commitment Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health teacher leadership, inclusive applies to a teacher’s professional Education Association) recognized classrooms and teaching LGBTQ obligations to transgender or gender Resurrection for its efforts to promote students. oct-oeeo.ca/AQ non-conforming students in the student health and well-being. classroom. Then school principal Chris Woodcroft, Gender: Your Guide: A Gender- “Under the law, any person regardless OCT (recently promoted to superintend- Friendly Primer on What to Know, of their gender identity, gender expres- ent of education with the Simcoe What to Say, and What to Do in the sion or sexual orientation is entitled to Muskoka Catholic District School Board), New Gender Culture. By Lee Airton. experience our public [education] system credits Resurrection’s teacher-leaders oct-oeeo.ca/genderyourguide without discrimination,” says Lee Airton, for creating “a trusting environment Collaborative Professionalism: assistant professor of gender and where we can have that open dialogue When Teaching Together Means sexuality studies in education at Queen’s with regards to what our expectations Learning for All. By Andy Hargreaves University faculty of education and are.” The school abides by Catholic and Michael T. O’Connor. author of Gender: Your Guide, a primer teachings while promoting gender-neu- oct-oeeo.ca/collaborative on navigating gender diversity and tral pronouns, encouraging classroom professionalism related issues in everyday life. strategies that recognize immigrant Helping Children Succeed: A teacher with personal views on children as “we” not “them,” and What Works and Why oct-oeeo.ca/ gender-neutral pronouns is also a fostering respect for Indigenous culture. helpingchildrensucceed professional required to respect a “We have a great staff in Kitchener, student’s wish to be addressed as but everyone has those individual and Teaching Tolerance tolerance.org he, she or they. “You as a professional collective moral blind spots, including teacher must do your very best to not unconscious personal and cultural bias,” Helping At-Risk Students Succeed misgender people,” says Airton. says Lisa Hodgkinson, OCT, program oct-oeeo.ca/atriskstudents In meeting the Ontario College of lead for religion and family life at The National Centre for Truth and Teachers’ Ethical Standards for the Resurrection for the past nine years and Reconciliation offers resources on Teaching Profession, practitioners have its lead teacher on Indigenous studies. Indigenous history, residential a responsibility to demonstrate care, Several years ago, in a truth and schools and links to First Nation, respect, trust and integrity. If asked reconciliation exercise for school staff, Métis and Inuit organizations. by a student about gender identity, she worked with local Indigenous oct-oeeo.ca/TRCresources a teacher uncomfortable about the elders and students to present The Learning Exchange offers discussion must demonstrate “warmth information about Indigenous culture. webinars on Indigenous-focused and compassion” and take action, The initial response, a mix of interest, collaborative inquiry. such as directing the student to school indifference and hostility, set the oct-oeeo.ca/thelearningexchange or community resources, to be of stage for uncomfortable conversations meaningful assistance. “That is the that led to a better understanding of The University of British Columbia minimum you must do,” says Airton. the Indigenous world view and Can- produced a teacher reference Struggling teachers need not feel ada’s legacy of colonialism. booklet on decolonizing pedagogy alone, especially when part of a For Hodgkinson, the experience for the Aboriginal Focus School, positive school culture, says education reinforced the power of self-reflection Vancouver School Board. oct- oeeo.ca/decolonizingpedagogies researcher Andy Hargreaves, a visiting in reconciling one’s personal beliefs, professor at the University of Ottawa views and professional duties. “It is Trent University School of Educa- and research professor in the Lynch very important to step back, honestly tion’s Sex Education for Teachers School of Education at Boston College. assess, and not dismiss the voice you & Students offers video series and “Some of the subterranean dilemmas don’t want to hear,” she says. “Spend resource links. are there and the only way to get around time to reflect on what your purpose is oct-oeeo.ca/teachingsexed that is with a very strong culture of [as a teacher].” PS
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 37 WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS ACROSS ONTARIO.
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Borrow a copy of any of the books reviewed in Professionally Speaking by connecting with the Your guide to recently Margaret Wilson Library. Email [email protected], access your College account via oct.ca, use the OCT Membership App, or call 416-961-8800 released books (toll-free in Ontario 1-888-534-2222), ext. 679. For reviews of French-language resources, and other teaching resources. visit pourparlerprofession.oeeo.ca.
Powerful Writing to organize an effective writing program Structures that is manageable for both the educa- BY ADRIENNE GEAR tor and students. As well, she provides Using her own classroom experience practical suggestions for conferencing and infectious love for teaching as and coaching students while demon- foundation, Adrienne Gear unpacks strating how feedback helps students how to implement a balanced writing improve and grow as writers. program throughout an entire school One of the most valuable parts of each year. It shows educators how to chapter is a list of recommended picture become more reflective, purposeful books the author refers to as anchor and intentional writing teachers and texts, which could be used to introduce offers tools to help students become each writing form. Mini-lessons are effective and clear writers. connected to recommended mentor Gear’s program is organized into what texts so that students have a clear sense she refers to as “brain pockets.” Within of what their writing can look like. Gear each of these “pockets” educators are also provides the reader with samples Powerful Writing Structures: Brain Pocket given details on how to develop student of student work and relevant blackline Strategies for Supporting a Year-Long understanding of various writing forms masters to accompany the mini-lessons. Writing Program, Pembroke Publishers, such as: personal narratives, descrip- Markham, Ont., 2020, softcover, ISBN tions and persuasive pieces. Janice Chisholm, OCT, is an early 978-1-55138-344-6, 198 pages, $24.95, In a user-friendly and simple-to- years reading coach, JK–Grade 2, with ebook: $21.95, pembrokepublishers.com follow format, the author outlines how the Toronto District School Board.
Word by Word Each chapter explores a plethora BY LARRY SWARTZ of possibilities for word attack and This is a delightful collection of lesson appreciation. From poetry to spelling to ideas for word building and word texting, the offerings are practical and exploring. Organized by themes, this can be put into play in most any text will tantalize, intrigue and inspire teaching context. The author grounds language arts teachers to rush into every suggestion in sound reasoning, their classrooms and showcase these making it clear why each activity is strategies with students. useful in the development of language. Swartz examines language acquisition Word by Word is an ode to words and a at the level of the all-important single beautiful reminder of why we love them. word. The text is chock full of playful It elegantly emphasizes how important ways to incorporate word analysis into words are to establishing essential everyday classroom activities. Each reading and writing skills in the quest for page offers exciting entry points for all deepening knowledge. Studying words Word by Word: 101 ways to inspire and ages to engage in meaningful wordplay. in situations both familiar and foreign engage students by building vocabulary, The suggestions are a wonderful balance offers students opportunities to become improving spelling, and enriching reading, of tried-and-true tactics combined with their own lexicographer. writing, and learning, Pembroke Publishers, recent and relevant examples and Markham, Ont., 2019, softcover, ISBN references. There’s no filler here, just Joe Restoule General is a learning 978-1-55138-338-5, 160 pages, $24.95, page after page of a joyful celebration of resource teacher at Jamieson Elemen- pembrokepublishers.com words, their sounds and their meanings. tary School in Ohsweken, Ont.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 39 REVIEWS | TEACHER RESOURCES
Inspiring Meaningful approach would be to allow students Learning to take ownership of their learning BY BRENDA STEIN DZALDOV through self-assessment. Two ongoing responsibilities for teach- This combination of rapport, lesson ers are the preparing and planning of content and pedagogy are then used engaging lesson plans, and checking to inspire meaningful learning. in with students to measure their As the author writes, “I have seen understanding. how an organized, practical lesson Author Brenda Stein Dzaldov design, backed by the theory around addresses both of these areas in her what educators know about engage- six-step approach to creating egaging ment, motivation, and learnng, can and effective lessons. Teachers are make our jobs much easier and truly encouraged to welcome students into fulfilling — because meaningful learning, and then share learning goals learning ensues.” to help build a positive rapport. There The book includes sample K–8 are lesson outlines and templates to classroom lessons, guided questions, Inspiring Meaningful Learning: 6 Steps help draw students into topics. For templates and tips to use in the to Creating Lessons That Engage Students example, the author highlights the classroom environment. in Deep Learning, Pembroke Publishers, importance of tapping into students’ Markham, Ont., 2018, ISBN 978-1-55138- background knowledge to prompt Teresa Ross, OCT, is a secondary 334-7, softcover, 128 pages, $24.95, discussion and deep thinking. For school teacher with the Niagara pembrokepublishers.com assessment, the author suggests one Catholic District School Board.
Natural Allies Establishing an initial connection with BY SOO HONG families, and valuing their experiences, Soo Hong, an associate professor and was critical in relationship building. chair of education at Wellesley College, Hong suggests the first step to in Massachusetts, explores the complex change is to acknowledge the systemic and historically dynamic tensions that oppression that exists in the tradition- can prevent open-minded relationships al communication model between between schools and families. Ground- schools and families, and to work at ed in rigorous research, Hong’s book blowing it up. To achieve this, the book suggests that educational institutions, suggests, schools need to be inclusive, which hold the bulk of power, may create progressive, unique and equitable. and sustain barriers to productive They must offer multiple opportunities relationships between these groups. for connection, invite meaningful A positive educational experience for conversation, invest deeply in teachers students is based on engagement and and students, and value the cultural student-centred programming (versus experiences of students. Trust, at the school-centred programming), a shift centre of it all, must be established to Natural Allies: Hope and Possibility in from the traditional delivery model. move relationships forward. Teacher-Family Partnerships, Harvard Hong observed a handful of teachers Education Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2019, who successfully engaged families in Jennifer Wyatt, OCT, is head of the ISBN 978-1-68253- 424-3, softcover, 232 public, charter and pilot schools in junior school at Trinity College pages, US$33, harvardeducationpress.org Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. School in Port Hope, Ont.
40 Professionally Speaking September 2020 CLASSROOM RESOURCES | REVIEWS
Taaqtumi Secondary and post-secondary This collection’s Arctic setting — English teachers may want to select steeped in isolation, cold and remote- a story or two to complement a genre ness — compounds the dread and fear study. Educators interested in expand- in each of its stories. The horror genre ing their geographical horizons by lives and breathes, allowing us to travelling via fiction will also experi- examine our own demons and fears of ence a fascinating glimpse into the the unknown. Taaqtumi dabbles in northern culture and climate — these tropes, but also infuses some while being scared out of their wits. unique flavours thanks to the authors’ One compelling feature of this experiences and the stories’ settings. anthology is its modernity. Many of the There’s something in this collection tales offer a futuristic Arctic environ- for every kind of horror buff, from tales ment setting, while still being cognizant of zombies (ijiraujat) to monsters and a of its Indigenous past and present. Eerily nanurluk (giant polar bear). Some enough, a couple of stories feature a stories are short enough to serve as post-pandemic world, suggesting some creepy read-alouds for teens while particularly prescient authors are others demand a longer attention span included in the mix. Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror and a deeper dive. The collection is not Stories, Inhabit Media, Iqaluit, 2019, ISBN suited to an elementary-age audience, Joe Restoule General is a learning 978-1-77227-214-7, softcover, 184 pages, though, as the horror can be intense resource teacher at Jamieson Elemen- $16.95, inhabitmedia.com and haunting. tary School in Ohsweken, Ont.
Character Powers and Shannen Koostachin. It also CREATED BY MICHAEL KRONICK includes culturally diverse examples This resource of 22 story cards from of important figures from around the Toronto educator Michael Kronick, world including young people such as OCT, helps show students how Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai. character education shapes how they Students will see how a particular see themselves and others. Students character strength made a difference can identify and cultivate their in the person’s life, and questions on strengths and build self-esteem. the card prompt them to consider how Each card features a well-known it can make a difference in their own. person and their particular strength of These self-directed reading, writing character. The flip side of each card and art activities would be a great tells that person’s story. Keywords addition to any junior or intermediate highlight the character traits as well classroom. Character Powers helps as some of the more challenging students develop literacy skills, vocabulary. Character Powers is recognize and appreciate qualities in marketed to ages 8+, but some others, and build confidence. Character Powers Reading Cards: Inspira- younger readers may find words like tional stories that build character in kids, echelon or prodigy to be a challenge. Caroline Pignat, OCT, is a two-time self-published, 2019, softcover, ISBN The card deck features a rich and Governor General’s Award-winning 9781999219604, 27 story and character inspiring group of Canadians such as author and a high school teacher with
PHOTOS:STEPHEN FERRIE cards, $35, characterpowers.com Terry Fox, David Suzuki, Viola Desmond the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 41 CAREERS
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PRINCIPALS & TEACHERS Teach in China! LOOK FOR THESE
The Canadian Trillium College (CTC) is a certified Ontario school STORIES AND MORE IN program in China, offering Chinese students the opportunity of earning credits towards the OSSD. THE NEXT EDITION OF We are now recruiting Ontario qualified administrators and teachers for the following subject areas: Professionally • ESL, (Levels 2-5) • Intermediate and Senior English, Mathematics, Business, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Social Sciences. Speaking: • Principals
CTC has campuses located in Mainland China: Shanghai, Jinhua, Nanjing and Quanzhou. • Professional Advisory Contract Terms: Competitive salary and bonus, return airfare , free private furnished accommodation, assistance for medical insurance and more. on professional This is an ideal opportunity for retired teachers and administrators, boundaries beginning teachers and teachers on leave who are looking for an amazing cultural experience and adventure. • OCTs working in You can visit our website at http://ctc-schoolchina.com For more information contact the Supervising Principal at the address below: remote communities
Apply Now! • Tools to support Forward resume and cover letter to: student collaboration Supervising Principal, The Canadian Trillium College, Toronto Office: • TEL: 416-763-4121 • FAX: 416-763-5225 • [email protected]
42 Professionally Speaking September 2020 TECH CLASS Big Data, Big Changes A high school teacher starts a computer science compe- tition to tap students’ natural data-parsing capabilities.
BY STEFAN DUBOWSKI YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
1) Student teams visit the STEM Fellowship website — oct-oeeo.ca/stemfellowship — to learn what’s involved.
2) October to January, teams take part in online workshops and mentorships to learn the tools and conduct research.
3) Teams submit their findings as reports, which are pub- lished in the STEM Fellowship Journal; participants are invited to present to judges.
4) Winners are rewarded $1,000.
Gr. 12 students present their research findings on the effects of water filtration on emotions.
THE CHALLENGE Give students year. The environment has been community’s water quality and people’s the confidence to become strong the main thrust since the Canadian emotions, and another on solutions to data scientists. Commission for UNESCO started ocean acidification. But even more sponsoring the program in 2017. impressive is the students’ personal THE SOLUTION Have them compete in The teams get access to publicly development. Teams often become a two-semester “big data” challenge. available scientific data starting as early intensely attached to the topics they as September. For the next four months researched. And they discover they can LESSONS LEARNED Sacha Noukhovitch, they learn how to use the computer think deeply about real-world problems OCT, wanted to help his Grade 11 and 12 programs needed to conduct the hefty and develop practical responses. computer science students at Earl Haig research and synthesize their findings “The biggest outcome of the program Secondary School in Toronto form a into a compelling report. Students are is a digital citizenship position that stronger link between the way he paired with experts in the tools and students develop through the challenge, believes they naturally want to learn and scientific areas they’re researching. and a computational thinking and the activities they undertake at school. Their reports are published in the evidence-based approach to real-world Today’s students view the world STEM Fellowship Journal (journal. problems,” Noukhovitch says. differently than previous generations, stemfellowship.org). STEM Fellowship Noukhovitch has seen students with he says. “They’re learning through data is the organization that runs the little computer science experience and information …. They trust their competition; it’s a non-profit that take the top prize. That’s because the virtual experience sometimes more supports studies in science, technology, program is primarily about tapping than their physical experience. engineering and math. Noukhovitch their natural curiosity and directing it So Noukhovitch created the is one of its founders.) with data. “It is not a coding competi- National High School Big Data Come February the teams are invited tion. It is a challenge to make sense Challenge, a two-semester competi- to a conference in-person or online to out of big data, generate independent tion in which students dive into data present their findings to judges from ideas and back them up with what this from government and non-profit academia, science communication data-native generation is good at: sources to research real-world and policy leadership. computational thinking.” PS issues and solutions. Participants work in teams of four, OBSERVATIONS Students tackle The College’s professional advisory Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media — tackling topics according to whatever eye-opening topics. Last year’s reports Updated (oct-oeeo.ca/ecomm) guides members’
PHOTO:EARL HAIG SS/CLAUDE WATSON FILM ARTS theme the competition has set for the included one on the link between a professional judgment in the use of technology.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 43 YOU2021 DECIDE
Council Election Call 2021 Notice is hereby given that an election will be held from Monday, March 8, 2021, to Monday, April 12, 2021, to elect 23 representatives to the College Council, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 293/00 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act. YOU2021 DECIDE
A message from the Deputy Registrar he election for the ninth Council electronically beginning on Monday, information will also be available Tof the Ontario College of Teachers March 8, 2021 — provided you are on the website for reference. has begun. a member in good standing as of Where possible, we will place Information in this issue of Wednesday, February 24, 2021. A ads in stakeholder publications. Professionally Speaking and the ballot in the Members’ area of oct.ca An external auditor will oversee next two will help you to: will list all the positions for which the process. • understand what Council you can vote. If you have a question about eligibility members do; The list of qualified candidates will requirements, the nomination process • seek a position on Council or be posted on oct.ca on January 8, or simply need more information, nominate a colleague; and 2021, along with a voter forum and please call our election information • vote in your region and system/ candidate blogs. The March 2021 issue line at 416-961-8800 (toll-free in category. of Professionally Speaking will include Ontario 1-888-534-2222), ext. 558. You can nominate someone by voting information and detailed completing an electronic process biographical information for each CHANTAL BÉLISLE, OCT online. You will also be able to vote candidate. Candidate and voting DEPUTY REGISTRAR
Call for nominations he College is accepting nominations (see below) or serve as a president all these requirements, except the Tfor 23 elected Council positions. of a local branch of any of these one requiring you to resign a post The deadline for nominations is Friday, organizations. If you are, you must in the organizations listed under November 27, 2020. resign your position before you take “Exclusions.” To serve on Council, you must: a seat on Council in July 2021; As part of your nomination, you • be a College member in • not be employed by the Ontario must complete an attestation good standing; College of Teachers for the 12 agreeing to meet all the requirements. • reside in Ontario; months preceding July 1, 2021; Nominations can be completed • meet the residential or employment • be eligible to serve the entire online. Go to oct-oeeo.ca/nominations. requirements (see pp. 47–50) three-year term of Council; and Assistance is available by calling for the position you are seeking; • meet the terms of the conflict- the election information line at • not be employed by, elected or of-interest guidelines set out in 416.961.8800 (toll-free in Ontario appointed as an official of one of 13 the regulation. 1.888.534.2222), ext. 558 or via excluded provincial organizations To be nominated, you must meet email at [email protected].
• Association des enseignantes et des enseignants Exclusions remove franco-ontariens • Association des gestionnaires de l’éducation possible conflicts franco-ontarienne • Catholic Principals’ Council | Ontario of interest • Council of Ontario Directors of Education • Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario re you employed by or serve in an elected or appointed • Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association Acapacity with any of the 13 provincial organizations • Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association listed here? If so, you can run for Council but must resign • Ontario Ministry of Education your post and find employment suited to your nomination • Ontario Principals’ Council STOCK PHOTO STOCK i category before you take your place on Council. • Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Association • Association des directions et directions adjointes • Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
PHOTO: PHOTO: des écoles franco-ontariennes • Ontario Teachers’ Federation
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 45 YOU2021 DECIDE
Mark Election 2021 on your calendar Twenty-three College members will be elected to the ninth Council in 2021, in accordance with the following schedule:
AUGUST 2020 Notice of election and JANUARY 8, 2021 List of confirmed MARCH 8, 2021 Eligible voters can call for nominations published in the candidates posted on College’s cast their ballots on the College app September edition of Professionally website; candidate blogs and voter and in the Members’ area of the Speaking and posted on the forum available. College website. College’s website. FEBRUARY 16, 2021 Candidate APRIL 12, 2021 Election day. AUGUST 18, 2020 Nomination period biographies and voting information Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT. opens. Online nomination process published in the March edition available on the College website. of Professionally Speaking and posted APRIL 13, 2021 Ballots tabulated, on the College’s website. candidates notified. NOVEMBER 27, 2020 Nomination period ends at 5 p.m. EST. Candidates FEBRUARY 24, 2021 Members must APRIL 14, 2021 Election results posted must submit biographical information be in good standing as of 5 p.m. EST on the College’s website and in the and completed nominations. to vote. June issue of Professionally Speaking.
Who Serves on Council? ollege members elect 23 of the 37 members Principals and vice-principals, supervisory officers, Cof Council, the governing body of the Ontario private schools and faculties of education elect Council College of Teachers. members to four of the 23 positions. Members are elected from Ontario’s English, French, The provincial government appoints the remaining Catholic, and public elementary and secondary school 14 members of Council from parents, various professions systems, and serve three-year terms. and the general public.
Objects of the College
he College’s objects, as set out • issue, renew, amend, suspend, additional to the certificate Tin the Ontario College of Teachers cancel, revoke and reinstate required for membership, including Act, are to: Certificates of Qualification but not limited to the Certificates • regulate the profession of teaching and Registration; of Qualification as a supervisory and govern its members; • provide for the ongoing education officer; and to issue, renew, • develop, establish and maintain of members of the College; amend, suspend, cancel, revoke qualifications for membership • establish and enforce professional and reinstate such additional in the College; standards and ethical standards certificates; • accredit professional teacher applicable to members of the College; • communicate with the public education programs offered by • receive and investigate complaints on behalf of the members of the post-secondary educational against members of the College and College; and institutions; to deal with discipline and fitness to • perform such additional functions • accredit ongoing education practise issues; as are prescribed by the regulations. programs for teachers offered • develop, provide and accredit In carrying out its objects, the College by post-secondary educational educational programs leading to has a duty to serve and protect the institutions and other bodies; Certificates of Qualification public interest.
46 Professionally Speaking September 2020 YOU2021 DECIDE
What a Council What position member does are you seeking? ouncil ensures that policies are established in ach of the 23 elected positions represents a separate Caccordance with the College’s objects as set out in Eelectoral category to ensure a balance of geographic, the Ontario College of Teachers Act. elementary, secondary and system perspectives. Each position Council provides oversight and direction to the also has its own nomination criteria. Registrar, the College’s chief executive officer. THERE ARE: During their three-year term, Council members • 12 regional positions (reflecting six geographic regions in Ontario); protect the public interest, serve their profession, • seven system positions (reflecting English public, English grow as leaders and develop skills in board governance. Roman Catholic, French public and French Roman Catholic The Chair of Council is a full-time position and is school systems in Ontario); responsible for representing Council publicly as well • one principal/vice-principal position; as presiding over Council and Executive Committee • one supervisory officer position; meetings. There are at least four Council meetings • one faculty of education position; and each year. Each Council member attends Council • one private school position. meetings and serves on at least two committees, each To serve on Council, you must be in good standing with the of which meets three or four times a year. All commit- College, reside in Ontario and — if you’re seeking a regional tees of Council are composed of elected and appoint- or system seat — hold a regular teaching assignment in an ed members. Committees such as Accreditation and elementary or secondary school. Discipline require additional time to serve on panels. All regional and system positions are open to full-time staff. Six Most committee chairs also serve on the Executive of the regional positions are open to regular part-time or occasion- Committee, which meets about five times a year. al teachers. Part-time and occasional teachers are eligible to serve On average, Council members dedicate 25 to 60 days if they teach for at least 10 days during each year of their term of a year to Council business, depending on their com- office. A partial day of teaching is considered a full day for these mittee assignments. Meetings are held in Toronto. purposes. If you are elected to a part-time position, you will need The College provides thorough education sessions to remain employed and provide evidence of 10 teaching days each to orient new Council members to the College and its year to stay in office. If you are a guidance counsellor, librarian, activities, current issues, policies and procedures mentor or consultant directed to supervise or co-ordinate subjects before they assume their Council and committee or programs, you are considered to be providing instructional responsibilities. services and are eligible to run for regional and system positions. The College reimburses an elected member’s employ- To be eligible to run for one of the category positions (principal/ er for the member’s absence while attending Council and vice-principal, supervisory officer, faculty of education and committee meetings during regular workdays. If summer private school), you are required to be qualified for and employed meetings are required, the member is compensated in that position. directly at a rate of $150 per day. Travel, accommodation You are not eligible to serve on Council if you are employed by or and meal expenses are reimbursed. are an elected or appointed official of any of the 13 organizations at the provincial level or serve as a president of one of these UNDERSTAND COMMITTEE ROLES organizations at the local level (see “Exclusions” on p. 45). If you Three videos are being created to help you better under- do occupy one of these positions, you may run for election but stand Council’s governance roles and responsibilities. must resign your position and obtain the necessary employment You can watch them at oct-oeeo.ca/councilelection2021. before you can take your place on Council. The first provides an overview of the roles of the If you are a former employee of the Ontario College of Teachers, Investigation, Discipline and Fitness to Practise you are eligible to run for a position if at least 12 months have committees. The second examines the responsibilities elapsed between when you last worked at the College and the of the Standards, Accreditation and Accreditation start of the Council term on July 1, 2021. A College member who Appeals committees. The third reviews the work of previously served on Council is eligible to run if at least three the Finance and Governance committees. years has elapsed since they last served on Council. All Council and committee members have a duty You must be eligible to serve the entire three-year term of Council. to serve the public interest and each committee Those who sign your nomination papers — your nominators — has a mandate determined by the Ontario College must meet the same eligibility requirements for the position. of Teachers Act, regulations and bylaws. You cannot stand for election for more than one position.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 47 YOU2021 DECIDE
Regional positions You can run for one of these 12 regional positions provided: • you are a College member employed full time (FT) or part time (PT) CENTRAL REGION — PT/FT as a classroom teacher by a district school board, school authority, CENTRAL REGION — FT private school or the Provincial Schools Authority; The Central Region includes: • you live in one of the municipalities or areas specified for each region. Toronto, York and Durham (excluding Clarington, which is in the Southcen- tral Region). SOUTHEAST REGION — PT/FT Peterborough, Clarington, Simcoe, SOUTHEAST REGION — FT Haliburton, Muskoka, Dufferin, Welling- NORTHWEST REGION — PT/FT The Southeast Region includes: Ottawa, ton, Peel (including Mississauga), NORTHWEST REGION — FT Prescott, Russell, Stormont, Dundas, Halton, Waterloo, Niagara and Hamilton. The Northwest Region includes: Glengarry, Hastings, Lennox, Addington, Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Rainy River Lanark, Renfrew, Leeds, Grenville, SOUTHWEST REGION — PT/FT and Thunder Bay. Frontenac and Prince Edward. SOUTHWEST REGION — FT The Southwest Region includes: NORTHEAST REGION — PT/FT SOUTHCENTRAL REGION — PT/FT Brant, Essex, Lambton, Elgin, NORTHEAST REGION — FT SOUTHCENTRAL REGION — FT Middlesex, Huron, Perth, Bruce, The Northeast Region includes: The Southcentral Region includes: Grey, Oxford, Haldimand, Norfolk Sudbury, Manitoulin, Timiskaming, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, and Chatham-Kent. Nipissing and Parry Sound.
Northwest Southcentral
Northeast Southwest Kenora
Northwest Southcentral Southeast Central
Northeast Southwest Thunder Bay Kenora Cochrane
Southeast Central
Algoma
Sudbury Thunder Bay Rainy Timiskaming Cochrane River Nipissing Prescott Russell
Ottawa Parry Algoma Glengarry Sound Renfrew
Stormont Manitoulin Sudbury Timiskaming Lanark Rainy Dundas River Nipissing Haliburton Grenville Prescott Muskoka Russell Leeds Hastings Dufferin Kawartha Ottawa Parry Lakes Glengarry Sound Frontenac Renfrew Simcoe Lennox & Addington Grey Prince Edward Stormont Manitoulin Lanark Bruce Dundas York Northumberland Peel Haliburton Grenville Peterborough Huron Wellington Toronto Muskoka Leeds Halton Hastings Dufferin Kawartha Perth Lakes Niagara Frontenac Oxford Simcoe Lennox & Addington Middlesex Grey Hamilton Prince Edward Elgin Bruce Lambton York Northumberland Brant Peel Chatham- Waterloo Peterborough Kent Haldimand Huron Wellington Toronto & Norfolk Halton Essex Perth Oxford Niagara 48 Professionally Speaking September 2020 Middlesex Hamilton Elgin Lambton Brant Chatham- Waterloo Kent Haldimand & Norfolk Essex YOU2021 DECIDE
System positions
f you are a College member who is not employed as Catholic school authority, and are not employed in a Ia vice-principal, principal or supervisory officer by a French-language instructional unit.* You are also required private school or by a faculty of education as a tenured to hold the qualifications required to teach a course or or tenure-track faculty member, you are eligible to run for class in the Primary or Junior division or in the first two the provincewide position related to the system (reflecting years of the Intermediate division. English public, English Roman Catholic, French public and French Roman Catholic school systems) in which you are ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ROMAN employed full time. You must be part of your employer’s CATHOLIC BOARD SECONDARY regular teaching staff. You may run for this position if you are employed full time as a qualified secondary classroom teacher by an ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PUBLIC BOARD ELEMENTARY English-language Roman Catholic district school board. You may run for this position if you are employed full time You are also required to hold the qualifications required as a qualified elementary classroom teacher by an English- to teach a course or class in the last two years of the language public district school board, the Provincial Intermediate division or in the Senior division. Schools Authority or a school authority, other than a Roman Catholic school authority or a board of a secondary school FRENCH-LANGUAGE ROMAN district. You may not be employed in a French-language CATHOLIC BOARD ELEMENTARY instructional unit.* You are also required to hold the You may run for this position if you are employed full qualifications required to teach a course or class in the time as a qualified elementary classroom teacher by a Primary or Junior division or in the first two years of the French-language Roman Catholic district school board Intermediate division. or school authority and work in a French-language instructional unit.* You are also required to hold the ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PUBLIC BOARD SECONDARY qualifications required to teach a course or class in You may run for this position if you are employed full time the Primary or Junior division or in the first two years as a qualified secondary classroom teacher by an English- of the Intermediate division. language public district school board, public school authority or the Provincial Schools Authority. You may FRENCH-LANGUAGE ROMAN not be employed in a French-language instructional unit.* CATHOLIC BOARD SECONDARY You are also required to hold the qualifications required You may run for this position if you are employed full to teach a course or class in the last two years of the time as a qualified secondary classroom teacher by a Intermediate division or in the Senior division. French-language Roman Catholic district school board. You are also required to hold the qualifications required ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ROMAN to teach a course or class in the last two years of the CATHOLIC BOARD ELEMENTARY Intermediate division or in the Senior division. You may run for this position if you are employed full time as a qualified elementary classroom teacher by an English- FRENCH-LANGUAGE PUBLIC BOARD language Roman Catholic district school board or a Roman ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY You may run for this position if you are employed full time as a qualified elementary or secondary classroom teacher by a French-language public district school board or the Provincial Schools Authority at Centre Jules-Léger or a Check Out public school authority that operates a French-language instructional unit.* You are also required to hold the Our Video qualifications required to teach a course or class in Interested in running for Council elections? Watch this the Primary, Junior, Intermediate or Senior division. short video at oct-oeeo.ca/councilelection2021 to find out about how you can serve your profession, the *French-language instructional units do not include nomination process and other important information. immersion programs. If you are not certain about whether you are part of a French-language instructional unit, contact the election information line.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 49 YOU2021 DECIDE
Category positions Committing f you are a College member who is qualified and employed to Council Iin any of the following categories, you are eligible to run for the provincewide position related to your area of What is the time commitment for Council members? qualification and employment. Council members attend a minimum of four Council meetings a year. Members also serve on at least two PRINCIPAL/VICE-PRINCIPAL of Council’s statutory, standing or special commit- You may run for this position if you are qualified (holding tees. Some committees require additional panel Parts I and II of the Principal’s Qualification program) work from its members. Bilingual Council members and employed as a principal or vice-principal and are may be asked to serve on additional committees or not employed at a private school. panels because of their French-language fluency. Chairs of Council committees usually have additional FACULTY OF EDUCATION responsibilities. Council members require 25 to You may run for this position if you are employed by 60 days of leave per school year on average. On a post-secondary institution at a school or faculty of occasion, work may take place on weekends and education offering programs accredited by the College during the summer. and are in a tenured or tenure-track position.
How long is the term of office? PRIVATE SCHOOL The term of office for Council is three years. You may run for this position if you are employed by a private school that has submitted to the Ministry of When would I assume responsibilities Education a current notice of intention to operate a as a Council member? private school. (Private school classroom teachers If elected in April 2021, you will take office on who are members of the College may also run for July 1, 2021. You will be expected to attend a regional positions.) two-day orientation session from May 27–28, 2021. The inaugural meeting of the ninth Council will take SUPERVISORY OFFICER place on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Your term of office You may run for this position if you are qualified and will continue until June 30, 2024. employed as a supervisory officer.
See the candidates YOUDECIDE 2021 in our March issue INFORMATION Nomination procedures have Watch for the March 2021 issue of Professionally been developed in accordance Speaking for a complete and alphabetized list with Regulation 293/00. of all candidates by position. The procedures are available to College members on the College’s website. andidate information will also be public register. Cposted to the College’s website You will also be able to learn more Please contact us if you have any by February 16, 2021. about those running for election in questions. THIS WILL INCLUDE: the categories relevant to you via the • biographical statements; College’s website, candidate blogs ELECTION • attestations; and an online voter forum. INFORMATION • photos; and The list of confirmed candidates 416.961.8800 (toll-free in • information from their nominations. will appear on oct.ca on January 8, Ontario 1.888.534.2222), ext. 558 Candidate and nominators’ names 2021, along with candidate blogs Email: [email protected] must reflect what is on the College’s and the online forum.
50 Professionally Speaking September 2020 YOU2021 DECIDE
Council decisions shape Tour the the teaching profession College
he colleagues you nominate hear allegations about more than If you’re considering whether Tin the 2021 Council election — 100 members per year to determine to run as a candidate in the 23 positions are now open — will be if they will be allowed to continue in 2021 Council election, take responsible for helping to shape the the profession. a video tour of the College future of Ontario education in the Council members serving on the to see what we do at public interest. Standards of Practice and Education oct-eeo.ca/collegetour. The College is accepting nomina- Committee are responsible for tions until November 27, 2020. ensuring that ethical and practice You can view the Council Nominees are people just like you. standards influence the quality of members at work, the College’s They share the same professional teaching in Ontario. call centre, hearing rooms, the dedication and commitment to When Professionally Speaking Margaret Wilson Library and providing quality learning experien- drops into your mailbox, you are the departments that support ces for students. And, like you, receiving an award-winning magazine Council’s work. they care about professionalism whose overall editorial policy and in teaching. content have been reviewed and If you haven’t considered running approved by the Editorial Board, for Council before, think about it now. which comprises Council members. You can: The board reviews all material • bring your classroom and school- gathered for each issue and Submit based experience to bear on the determines what is published. policy decisions Council makes As a Council member you will play more than to continuously improve the teach- an active role in reviewing the content ing profession; of Additional Qualification courses the minimum • share your knowledge, insights and a vast range of issues concerning and the benefits of the relation- teachers’ qualifications. You will also Even though you only need 10 ships you’ve developed to expand participate in decisions on issues qualified nominators, it’s best your horizons in the interest of such as the transparency of the to submit a few more. the profession. College’s processes. As a member of Council, you — You can expect to discuss the role Each person who nominates or a colleague you nominate and the College has in advancing the you must also be a current help to elect — might serve on the teaching profession. Each year, you member of the College and Accreditation Committee. You could will also, either as a member of the eligible to seek election in your directly influence the classroom Finance Committee or as a member of category. This means they must readiness of new teachers who will Council, decide on the annual budget have the same employment and work alongside you for years to come and the membership fee that funds qualifications required for the via decisions that affect the prepar- the College’s work. position you are seeking. ation they receive in pre-service These are important topics for programs. every College member. You already By adding a couple of extra Or you might serve on an Investiga- debate many of these issues regularly qualified nominators (up to tion, Discipline or Fitness to Practise with your colleagues. At least one a maximum of 15), you’ll be committee and be a key figure in how might give you pause to consider covered in the event that one the College responds to complaints actively participating. or more is judged ineligible. about individual members. It’s your College. Run, The Investigation Committee nominate, vote. Ensure that your nominators are determines how the College responds You owe it to yourself as a in good standing by checking to the 150-plus complaints it receives professional, to your colleagues our public register at oct.ca annually. Discipline Committee or and to the teaching profession to under Find a Teacher. Fitness to Practise Committee panels play your part.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 51 YOU2021 DECIDE
Nominations at a glance
Check your Complete the steps 1eligibility 2 of the nomination process online. Are you in good standing? You are required to be a College member in good standing to stand for nomination.
Do you meet the residential and/ or employment requirements for the position you seek?
Get at least 10 colleagues Write your 3 to support your nomination. 4 biography.
Check the College Ensure that each website to ensure nominator is eligible that each nominator to run for the is in good standing. position you seek.
Make sure that none of your nominators has supported the nomination of any other person seeking the same position.
Complete all Provide a photo requirements of yourself. 7 5 and submit your nomination package no later than 5 p.m. EST on Read the attestation November 27, 2020. 6 carefully before Please note: Strict election timelines prevent the College confirming. from accepting nominations after this date. INFOGRAPHICS: HANNAH BROWNE/STUDIO 141 BROWNE/STUDIO HANNAH INFOGRAPHICS:
52 Professionally Speaking September 2020 YOU2021 DECIDE
Nominees required to attest Check it out Follow. Every election a candidate hen you stand for Council election, submits a nomination in your nomination package must W which one or more of their include a signed statement indicating that View. nominators are ineligible. you are eligible for the position and that the information in your submission is accurate. Your nominators must be Visit. You must attest that you are prepared able to run for the position to take the oath of office and to disclose you are seeking. They must whether you are employed by or an elected not have nominated anyone Share. or appointed official of one of 13 excluded else for that position. Connect with organizations (see p. 45). If you are, you must affirm that you are prepared to resign To be safe, why not ask your College from any such position held at the local or more than 10 colleagues — provincial level and obtain the necessary the minimum requirement employment required by the position you — to sign and support your are seeking before taking office as a nomination. member of Council. oct-oeeo.ca/pi oct-oeeo.ca/fb Know the nomination requirements If you’re seeking nomination for one of the 23 available oct-oeeo.ca/ig oct-oeeo.ca/li positions on Council, be mindful of the requirements.
1) Review the nomination require- 3) Submit your nomination no later than ments carefully. The information you 5 p.m. EST on Friday, November 27, 2020. are asked to provide is specified inthe The College will review each nomination regulation and intended to help to ensure that the candidate and oct-oeeo.ca/yt oct-oeeo.ca/tw electors choose the best candidates. nominators meet the position requirements. Each candidate will 2) Acquire supporting signatures from receive written confirmation of receipt OCT.CA at least 10 College members who are of their nomination. Nominees will be eligible to run for the position you are notified whether they are a confirmed seeking. For example, if you are running candidate within 10 working days. A list for the English-Language Public Board of confirmed candidates will appear on Elementary position, you must have 10 the College’s website in January 2021 or more people support your nomina- and in Professionally Speaking’s March tion who also qualify to run for that 2021 issue. position. Please note: A member can Learn more about the nomination nominate only one colleague per process and eligibility requirements If you are unsure about position. However, members can in the Question and Answer section eligibility, please call the nominate other colleagues for any on pages 55 and 56. information line at other position they are eligible to seek. You can also call the College’s The names and membership numbers election information line at 416.961.8800 416.961.8800 of each of your nominators will be (toll-free in Ontario 1.888.534.2222), (toll-free in Ontario published in the March 2021 issue ext. 558 or send an email to 1.888.534.2222), ext. 558 of Professionally Speaking. [email protected].
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 53 YOU2021 DECIDE
Voting is easy Oath/affirmation Voting in the 2021 Council election of office is easy because you will:
• receive a streamlined ballot to vote for candidates in efore they can take their seat on Council, elected the school system where you work; Bmembers and provincial appointees must take an oath or • be able to cast up to four votes including: affirmation. Failure to do so renders them ineligible to serve. two regional positions based on where you live plus The College makes a Commissioner of Oaths available to one additional category position (if applicable); or swear in new Council members. up to two system positions (reflecting English public, English Roman Catholic, French public and French THE OATH/AFFIRMATION IS Roman Catholic school systems) depending on the I will faithfully and impartially, to the best of my knowledge system in which you work. and skill, perform the duties of a member of the Council of • If you are unemployed or not employed in education, the College and any committees of the Council on which I sit. you will continue to receive ballots for the two regional positions based on where you live. In so doing, I will ensure that the guiding principle in the performance of my duties is the duty to serve and protect ADDITIONAL RULES the public interest, which is my duty as a Council member • All Provincial Schools Authorities are recognized as and a duty of the College. eligible employers. • Former Ontario College of Teachers employees can I will perform the duties of my position without favour or ill seek election to Council provided their employment will to any person or entity. has ended at least 12 months before the Council term starts on July 1, 2021. I will ensure that other memberships, directorships, • A College member who previously served on Council is voluntary or paid positions or affiliations that I may hold eligible to run if at least three years have elapsed since will not interfere or conflict with the performance of my they last served on Council. duties as a Council member. • A current Council member is eligible to run if they will be eligible to serve the entire term of the next Council So help me God. without exceeding the maximum consecutive service
allowed under the College’s Act. (The last line is omitted in an affirmation.) TEACHERS OF COLLEGE ONTARIO PHOTO:
54 Professionally Speaking September 2020 YOU2021 DECIDE
If I am elected, how long will I be Are there exceptions to the Questions a member of Council? eligibility requirements? Under the current legislation, Council Candidates who are employed by or and Answers members are elected for a three- hold an elected or appointed position ooking to run in the 2021 Council year term. As noted, if the legislation in one of 13 specified federation, Lelection? Have someone else in changes, it is possible that term professional or government organiza- mind to nominate? Wondering whom lengths could change. tions at the local or provincial level you can vote for? (see p. 45) must sign an attestation The following series of frequently I have a busy lifestyle. Why should I that they will resign from that position asked questions and answers will consider standing for Council election? if elected to Council. address some of your most College Council sets the policies and A College member who previously common queries. priorities that regulate your profes- served on Council is eligible to run if If you’re thinking about running or sion. Council members are people like at least three years have elapsed nominating someone to stand for you — teachers, school and board since they last served on Council. office, it’s best to begin early. It can administrators, and parents from A current Council member is eligible take a little time to obtain the right across Ontario, who share your to run if they will be eligible to serve nominators to properly complete and commitment to students’ well-being the entire term of the next Council submit your nomination. The good news and make decisions on matters of without exceeding the maximum is that you can apply online at your importance to the profession. consecutive service allowed under own pace. Complete your nomination the College’s Act. at oct-oeeo.ca/nominations. How do I know if I am eligible to stand We’ll also send election updates to for election to the College Council? Are employees of the College all Your College and You subscribers. You are eligible to run if you are a eligible to run for office? If you haven’t already, please sign up College member in good standing, No. In addition, a former employee of in the Members’ area on oct.ca to get reside in Ontario and meet the specific the College is only eligible if at least on the list. eligibility requirements for a position. 12 months have elapsed between Candidates for the regional and when they last worked at the College I thought that the governance model system positions (reflecting English and the start of the Council term. was changing. Why are we even having public, English Roman Catholic, an election? French public and French Roman Can I be a candidate if I am a College Council has debated and approved Catholic school systems) must be member in good standing and I am recommendations to the Ministry to employed by their board as regular retired or teach occasionally? replace elections in favour of selection teaching staff on a full-time (most If you taught 10 days in the 12 months processes, which clearly define the positions) or part-time basis (some preceding November 27, 2020, you roles, expectations and competencies positions). Elected Council members can seek nomination for one of the of Council and committee members. It may not hold or be seconded to any six regional positions open to part- is important to note that changes to the other position. time teachers. governance structure require legislative If you are elected to that position, change, and this has not occurred. Until Can I run for more than one position? you must continue to teach at least 10 the provincial government introduces No. You can stand for nomination in days in each year of the Council term. legislation that may alter the current one category only. configuration and responsibilities of Some positions are open only to the governing Council, the College is How many positions are available and full-time classroom teachers. How responsible for staging an election to fill what are the eligibility requirements? are full time and part time defined? 23 of the 37 existing Council positions. There are 23 positions. Four are A full-time teacher is one who is The College is bound by the Ontario designated for supervisory officers, employed as part of any employer’s College of Teachers Act and the election principals/vice-principals, faculties regular teaching staff and who is regulation made under it. of education and private schools. Six assigned in a regular timetable to If the province introduces legislation regional and seven system positions provide instruction to elementary to reform the College’s governance are open to full-time regular teaching or secondary school students on a structure, the College may be required staff. Six regional positions are open full-time basis. to cancel the 2021 election or truncate to full-time as well as part-time A College member who would the three-year term of the next Council. regular teaching staff. otherwise be a full-time classroom
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 55 YOU2021 DECIDE
teacher but who is on parental, sick, When will I know whether I have also reimburses members for family or compassionate leave is been confirmed as a candidate? expenses incurred during College- considered a full-time teacher. The Registrar will respond to your related business. A part-time teacher is one who is nomination in writing within 10 employed as a part of any employ- business days. How can I get more information er’s regular teaching staff and as a potential candidate? assigned in a regular timetable to As an official nominee, can I If you are thinking about seeking instruct elementary or secondary circulate campaign information a Council position, please visit the school students on less than a through the College? College’s website at oct.ca for the full-time basis or to teach on an Candidates are required to submit latest election news, or call the occasional basis. biographical information that will College at 416.961.8800 (toll-free A College member who would appear in the March 2021 issue of in Ontario 1.888.534.2222), ext. 558 otherwise be a part-time classroom Professionally Speaking and on or email [email protected]. teacher but who is on parental, sick, the College’s website. All candidate family or compassionate leave is information will be available in If I’ve served on Council for two con- considered a part-time teacher. English and French. The College secutive terms, can I run again in 2021? Part-time teachers must teach will translate the material. No. One full term of Council (three years) a minimum of 10 days per year during Candidates are required to supply must elapse before you can run again. their Council term. information about their teaching experience, current teaching assign- I work for a Provincial Schools Authority. Can I run for election if I am ment, federation experience and Am I eligible to run for election? on a negotiated leave? involvement (if any), other education- Yes. Election legislation recognizes No. Only those on parental, sick, related activities or memberships, all Provincial Schools Authorities as family or compassionate leave are participation in professional develop- eligible employers. eligible to run. No other leaves, such ment and personal professional as four-over-fives or educational interests, plus a statement describing There are too many positions to leaves, qualify. their understanding of the duty to vote for and candidates I don’t know. serve and protect the public interest. How can I be an informed voter? Are teacher-librarians, guidance Candidates will also be able to The College is using every available counsellors, consultants and other communicate with the electorate platform — including its website, College members who are employed using their own blog accessible via Professionally Speaking, e-newsletters, full or part time eligible to stand the College website, and will have the videos, webinars and social media — for election? chance to take part in an online forum to provide election information. You can Yes. They are considered classroom where members can post questions also call our information line or access teachers and are eligible to run for and comments. Improvements have oct-oeeo.ca/councilelection2021. positions open to those who are full- been made to the blog and online time or part-time classroom teachers. forum since the last election. Con- If I am a candidate in the next election, firmed candidates will receive infor- who is going to vote for me? How do I get nominated? mation on these options. Voters who live in your region Submit a completed nomination and work in your school system package to the Registrar by 5 p.m. Are elected Council members paid? (or additional category) position EST on November 27, 2020. Submit If you are an elected Council member will be voting for you. the completed package online and you are on a leave of absence at oct-oeeo.ca/nominations. to attend a Council or committee I am employed as a part-time You will need the signatures of meeting, the College will reimburse vice-principal. Am I eligible for the 10 College members who, at the time your employer for salary expenses principal/vice-principal position? of signing, are eligible to run for the incurred in the hiring of a temporary You are eligible to run for the position position you are seeking and who have replacement. If you are required to if you hold the required qualifications not signed the nomination form of attend a meeting during a vacation (PQP Part I and Part II) and are part of anyone else for the same position. period, you will receive an honorarium your employer’s regular teaching staff Your name and your nominators’ of $150 per day of service or $75 for and assigned on a full-time or less names must reflect what is on the meetings and preparation time that than full-time basis to work as a College’s public register. are less than three hours. The College vice-principal or principal.
56 Professionally Speaking September 2020 YOU2021 DECIDE
Council has a duty to serve the public interest onjour! he College exists to regulate dates must also disclose whether B TOntario’s teaching profession so they hold any elected or appointed that the public can be confident that position in one of 13 excluded practitioners put students’ well-being organizations (see p. 45) and and academic success first. to attest that they will resign from Préférez-vous Elected and publicly appointed that position if they are elected. Council members — teachers, Council members put their service nous lire en administrators, parents and others to the public above all other interests. — make decisions as a Council based Accordingly, each member of Council français? on the public’s shared interest in is required to take an oath of office or supporting students and strength- affirmation (see p. 54) and promise in Rien de plus facile! ening the profession. writing not to take direction from any To describe their understanding other organization. Those elected will Pour mettre à jour vos coor- of that duty, candidates must also be required to report, in writing to données, il suffit de vous rendre include a statement in their nomina- the Registrar, all funding they may dans la section réservée aux tion packages that describes what have received related to the election membres du site de l’Ordre they believe it means to serve and process, including amounts and à oeeo.ca. protect the public interest. Candi- sources.
Cast your votes electronically
ou can vote electronically to all of the positions for which you are You can edit your biography, upload Yelect members to the ninth eligible to vote. your photo, start collecting informa- Council — provided you are a Ballots will be tabulated and tion about your minimum of 10 member in good standing with verified on April 13, 2021, and the nominators, and decide how you want the College as of 5 p.m. EST on results will be posted to the College to share your understanding with Wednesday, February 24, 2021. website on April 14, 2021. voters about the duty to serve and The election will be conducted protect the public interest. entirely online via the Members’ SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS Once all the pieces are complete, area of the College website at ELECTRONICALLY press “Submit” and your nomination oct.ca. You can vote there or via You can submit your nomination package will be sent to the College. the College’s app. electronically through a simple You will receive an automatic It’s simple: Log in to your Members’ online process. response confirming it has been area account from the main page of Nominations are due before 5 p.m. received, and you will hear within the College website and follow the EST on Friday, November 27, 2020. 10 business days whether you are instructions. If you have not opened You can start the process as early a confirmed candidate. PS an account, you can do so now. Just as August 18, 2020, by going to visit oct.ca and click on the Members oct-oeeo.ca/nominations and tab at the top of the page. creating an account. Help is always available Election ballots will be available in That account will allow you to through the information line the Members’ area from 9 a.m. EST on prepare and compile the information at 416.961.8800 (toll-free March 8, 2021, until 11:59 p.m. EDT on you need for your application — at in Ontario 1.888.534.2222), April 12, 2021, after which the voting your own pace and when your sched- ext. 558 or via email at function will be removed. You will ule allows. Simply follow the instruc- [email protected]. have access to a ballot that includes tions for each step.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 57 MISSION VISION
Placing students’ interests and well-being first by Trusted to regulate the teaching profession in Ontario. regulating and promoting excellence in teaching.
VALUE S
The Ontario College of Teachers commits to:
• protect the public interest; • sustainability; • quality, excellence and professionalism; • inclusivity and respect for diversity; and • honesty and integrity; • respectfulness and teamwork between the College • accountability and transparency; Council, staff and stakeholder community, each • efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal responsibility; respecting the other’s role.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OBJECTS
1. STRENGTHEN TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: The College has a duty to serve and protect the public • develop objective and subjective key performance interest by carrying out the following objects in the Ontario indicators for the College that are measurable, College of Teachers Act: observable and perceivable; • regulate and govern Ontario teachers; • make improvements to the discipline process to better reflect public expectations; and • determine requirements for College membership; • use plain language internally and externally in all • accredit professional teacher education and communications to better connect the public and development programs, and provide for members’ College members to the work of the College. ongoing education; 2. MANAGE RISK MORE STRATEGICALLY: • develop, accredit and provide for programs leading to a • focus more on managing risk and less on operational teaching certificate and Additional Qualifications; issues in Council meetings; • issue, renew, amend, suspend, cancel, revoke and • increase public awareness of the ongoing professional reinstate Certificates of Qualification and Registration; development activities of all College members; • annually conduct an environmental risk scan; • set and enforce professional and ethical standards • analyze College data and trends as a basis for College members; for creating additional guidance and member • investigate and resolve complaints against College resources; and members regarding allegations of professional • utilize the recommendations of the 2018 Governance misconduct, incompetence and fitness Review to ensure improved governance and oversight. to practise; and 3. IMPROVE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: • communicate with the public on behalf of • clarify and better communicate the privilege College members. and benefits of self-regulation; and • enhance the effectiveness of collaboration with government constituent organizations and other regulators. COLLEGE NEWS
Governing This section provides updates on licensing and qualification requirements, notification of Council resolutions and reports from various Council committees, Ourselves including reports on accreditation and discipline matters.
Early Teaching Careers Interrupted The 2019–20 Ontario school year started well for most recent education graduates. COVID-19, however, knocked thousands of early-career teachers temporarily off their professional tracks when schools had to close in mid-March.
New teachers in 2019 joined a welcoming employment having no further teaching assignments whatsoever over market as the school year began. Improved employment the final few months of the school year. outcomes identified in recentTransition to Teaching annual The negative employment impact of school closures is surveys continued apace. Almost 19 in 20 newly licensed also evident in College member reports of underemploy- teachers in their first year in the job market in Ontario ment. For several years, a steadily increasing number successfully found teaching jobs. Their six per cent of recent graduates reported teaching as much as they unemployment rate is similar to the previous school year wanted to throughout the first school year of their careers. and far below the 16 per cent jobless rate for first-year But underemployment jumped to 35 per cent in 2020, from teachers reported in our 2017 survey. a low of 15 per cent in our 2019 survey. However, when Ontario schools closed in March 2020, Although Ontario schools did not continue the employ- most first-year teachers had not yet secured permanent ment of thousands of early-career teachers to support teaching jobs. More than eight in 10 of them (85 per cent) virtual teaching roles in the early months of dealing with were still in precarious employment arrangements, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the good news is that this employ- many found themselves with no further teaching assign- ment loss does not appear to have discouraged these ments or fewer weekly teaching days once physical early-career Ontario teachers. Almost all teachers affected schooling ended for the school year. by school closures (99 per cent of them) report they hope Half of all first-year teachers not in secure permanent to teach again in the 2020–21 school year. teaching contracts in March 2020 — including those with Varied models of school opening may be in place long-term occasional, shorter-term contracts and on daily in school boards across the province in September — occasional rosters — say they had no further assignments conventional regular classroom teaching, continuation or had their teaching assignments reduced over the of remote learning, and blended versions with virtual remainder of the school year. online teaching and reduced physical classroom teach- Daily roster occasional teachers suffered the most ing. Early-career teachers who have not yet settled substantial rate of teaching assignment losses. More than into permanent teaching contracts are eager to teach four in five of these first-year teachers (83 per cent) report alongside their colleagues in physical classrooms and no further assignments or reduced assignments following in synchronous and asynchronous virtual teaching school closures. Moreover, almost all of these school- roles to help ensure Ontario’s students receive the best closure-affected daily roster teachers (90 per cent) say educational opportunity possible in these challenging they had no more teaching days at all once schools closed. pandemic times. PS Although daily roster teaching is significantly less common these days after the first year of teaching careers, eight in 10 second- through fifth-year roster teachers also Transition to Teaching annual surveys provide report they had no further assignments or reduced assign- information on the changing early-career Ontario ments once schools closed. teacher labour market from 2002 to the present. Job loss among daily roster teachers was pervasive. The 2020 survey received 4,014 returns from It hit English-language, French as a Second Language teachers first licensed between 2010 and 2019, and and French-first-language occasional teachers all across new-to-Ontario teachers educated elsewhere and the province. Applying the 2020 survey findings to the Ontario-certified in 2018 and 2019. The full report full population of graduates in their first five years of of this year’s study will be available on the College teaching, an estimated 5,600 College members had their website in February 2021. employment disrupted by Ontario school closings, most
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 59 COLLEGE NEWS
EARLY-TEACHING CAREERS FIRST-YEAR ONTARIO EDUCATION INTERRUPTED BY SCHOOL CLOSURES GRADUATES TEACHING IN ONTARIO
DAILY ROSTER TEACHERS 2,382 UNEMPLOYED LONG-TERM OCCASIONAL/ UNDEREMPLOYED CONTRACT TEACHERS 6%
16% 19%
2017 25% 2018 1,424
940 5% 6%
15%
2019 2020 35% 340 294 228
1ST YEAR 2ND YEAR 3RD THROUGH 5TH YEAR
New Appoinments
Linda Lacroix, OCT Todd Lalonde
The College welcomes The College Council welcomes Todd Linda Lacroix, OCT, Lalonde, who was appointed to Council as its new director in June 2020 for a two-year term. of Investigations and Lalonde is a supervisor with the City of Hearings. Lacroix is a Cornwall, Infrastructure and Municipal seasoned educator with Works Division. 29 years of experience He is an elected trustee and serves in the education sector, as chair of the Catholic District School holding diverse leadership positions. Most recently, Board of Eastern Ontario. Lalonde also serves as a regional she was director, French Language Teaching and director for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association Learning Branch, at the Ministry of Education. (OCSTA), elected by fellow trustees from across Eastern Ontario. From 2013 to 2018, Lacroix was the super- He chairs OCSTA’s Catholic Education and Trustee Enrichment intendent of education for the Conseil scolaire Committee and is a provincial appointee to the St. Lawrence public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario. During her career, Parks Commission. she was a school principal for 15 years and has Lalonde has served as a board member on the Children’s been and continues to be a member of various Treatment Centre — Cornwall Ontario, the Family Counselling provincial committees, networks, as well as Centre of Cornwall & United Counties (now Inspire Community community-level ventures. Support Services), and the United Way of Stormont, Dundas & Lacroix holds a masters in education from the Glengarry. He also served as a volunteer for the Multiple Sclerosis Université d’Ottawa, and a bachelor’s degree Society of Canada. in education as well as a bachelor of arts from Lalonde has a broad educational background from Algonquin
Laurentian University. College in Ottawa and St. Lawrence College in Cornwall. JEAN-CLAUDE (ÉLAINE) LEGAULT PARENT/PHOTOCAPTIVA; JAMIE (LINDA) PHOTOGRAPHY:
60 Professionally Speaking September 2020 COLLEGE NEWS Élaine Legault Council Meetings The College Council welcomes Élaine Legault, At its June 4, 2020, video who was appointed to Council in May for a conference meeting, two-year term. Legault is a consultant for the College Council: Conseil des Organismes Francophones de la Région de Durham (COFRD) and an ardent • welcomed newly appointed Council advocate for Ontario’s French community. members Bonnie Oakes Charron Now semi-retired, Legault served 22 years and Elaine Légault; as COFRD’s executive director providing • received a quarterly report from French- language services to Durham Region in arts and culture, the Chair; immigration, employment and family justice. • accepted the December 31, 2019, audited She served as a trustee of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique financial statements of the Ontario Centre-Sud (now Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir) for 10 years, College of Teachers; two as board chair, and three years as chair and trustee of the • reappointed KPMG as the College’s French-language section of Durham Catholic District School Board. auditor for 2020; She has also been a member of several school parent councils. • approved the regulation on Alternative Over the years, Legault has been involved with French organizations Eligibility Requirements for Therapy and such as L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), Réseau Counselling to clarify that funding ceases Ontario, the Mouvement des Cursillos Francophone du Canada, and upon the withdrawal by the student — has served on committees for the City of Oshawa. or in the case of a minor, the student’s In 2014, she received the Order of La Pléiade from the International parent or guardian — of the allegation of Organization of La Francophonie for distinguished service to the sexual abuse or prohibited act involving ideals of co-operation, friendship and promoting the role of the French child pornography; and language. She is also a recipient of Compagnie des Cents-Associés • approved a Compensation Philosophy and Prix Hommage Théâtre Action awards. PS and Process for College employees. PS
INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE CASE STUDY What would you do?
The College’s Investigation Committee The College received a complaint what would you have issued considers all complaints made to the College from a parent regarding Louise, a to Louise? about its members and reviews all informa- high school teacher. Louise sent • an admonishment in person tion resulting from investigations. an email to a parent regarding his (most severe) The committee can dismiss a complaint son’s academic progress. • a written admonishment or refer the matter, in whole or in part, The email contained inappropri- • a written caution to the Discipline or Fitness to Practise ate comments such as: • written advice committees for a hearing. • “He is not just a pretty • a written reminder (least severe) The Investigation Committee may also face then.” caution or admonish the member in writing • “Is he as mature as he should or in person, or provide written reminders be for his age? Sometimes or advice, or ratify a Memorandum of I wonder.” THE OUTCOME Agreement reached through the complaint • “I doubt he will ever make The panel was concerned resolution process. the NBA. He will need to learn that Louise sent an email By law, cases under investigation are how to walk properly before to a parent that contained confidential. For the education of members, he can jump.” inappropriate comments the following account, based on facts from The teacher claimed that the about his son. The Investi- real cases, raises important questions comments were made to make light gation Committee panel about teacher conduct, such as what is of the email regarding the student’s decided to caution her appropriate and what is not. poor academic performance. in writing. PS Details have been altered to respect If you were a member of the confidentiality. Investigation Committee panel,
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 61 Invitation to apply
COLLEGE COUNCIL VACANCY: Serving on Council SUPERVISORY OFFICER CATEGORY Council governs the College. It is currently made up of 23 members of the College elected by their peers and College members who are qualifi ed and 14 members of the public appointed by the provincial employed as a Supervisory Offi cer are government. Council ensures that policies to regulate invited to apply to serve in this vacant the teaching profession are established in accordance Council position. with the College’s objects as set out in the Ontario College of Teachers Act. The successful individual will serve until June 30, 2021, the end of the term of the current Council. Council members protect the public interest, serve their profession, grow as leaders, and develop skills in board governance.
The application deadline is September 30, 2020. To fi nd out more and how to apply, visitoct.ca .
OCT.CA
Invitation to apply COLLEGE COUNCIL VACANCY: Serving on Council FACULTY OF EDUCATION CATEGORY Council governs the College. It is currently made up of 23 members of the College elected by their College members who are employed by a post- peers and 14 members of the public appointed secondary institution at a school or faculty of by the provincial government. Council ensures education offering programs accredited by the that policies to regulate the teaching profession College, and are in a tenured or tenured-track are established in accordance with the College’s position are invited to apply to serve in this objects as set out in the Ontario College of vacant Council position. Teachers Act. The successful individual will serve until June 30, 2021, the end of the term of the current Council. Council members protect the public interest, serve their profession, grow as leaders, and develop skills in board governance.
The application deadline is September 30, 2020. To fi nd out more and how to apply, visitoct.ca .
OCT.CA
62 Professionally Speaking September 2020 HEARINGS Discipline Summaries
Three-member panels of the Discipline Certified to teach in June 1990, He must also successfully complete, Committee conduct public hearings Black attended the hearing on at his own expense, a course regarding into cases of alleged incompetence or February 5, 2020, and was repre- classroom management with a focus professional misconduct. Panels are sented by legal counsel. on supervision and sensitivity training. composed of elected and appointed The Discipline Committee panel found He needs to do so prior to resuming or Council members. The certificate of Black guilty of professional misconduct starting a teaching position or any a member found to be incompetent or and ordered that his teaching certificate position requiring a Certificate of guilty of professional misconduct may be suspended for four months. The Qualification and Registration. be revoked, suspended, and/or made panel also directed that he appear In its written decision, the panel subject to terms, conditions or limita- before it to receive a reprimand. stated, “The fact that the Member tions. In findings of professional He must also successfully complete, received two suspensions from his misconduct, the committee may also at his own expense, a course regarding Board, and a written caution and reprimand, admonish or counsel the professional boundaries, classroom written admonishment from the member, impose a fine, and order the management and anger management. College’s Investigation Committee, member to pay costs. He needs to do so within 180 days of raises serious concerns regarding his Summaries of recent disciplinary the decision. professional judgment.” cases are published on the following In its written decision, the panel pages. Where the name of an employer stated, “Members of the profession MEMBER Roshan Canagasaby is withheld, it is typically to protect the are expected to conduct themselves in REGISTRATION NO 531715 identity of students or to comply with a composed and professional manner DECISION Revocation, reprimand a publication ban ordered by a court or and they must not resort to the A Discipline Committee panel revoked the tribunal. Copies of the full decisions inappropriate use of physical force the teaching certificate of Roshan are available at oct.ca Members against students.” Canagasaby for engaging in verbal, Complaints and Discipline Decisions. physical, emotional and sexual abuse The College publishes professional MEMBER Martin Gaeton Bonello of female students. He was employed advisories, available at oct-oeeo.ca/ REGISTRATION NO 444525 by the Halton District School Board. advisories, which are intended to DECISION Suspension, reprimand, His conduct included: inform members’ professional judg- conditions • having inappropriate sexual conver- ment and practice. For more informa- A Discipline Committee panel sus- sations with, and making sexually tion about the Ethical Standards for pended the certificate of Martin Gaeton suggestive comments or gestures the Teaching Profession, please visit Bonello for inappropriate conduct. He to students; oct-oeeo.ca/ethical. is a teacher formerly employed by the • rubbing his head down the chest For a glossary of terms used in these Peel District School Board. area of students; and summaries, please visit oct-oeeo.ca/ Certified to teach in July 2001, • running his hand down the backs DecisionGlossary. Bonello did not attend the hearing on of students. November 12, 2019, but was repre- The definition of sexual abuse under MEMBER Adrian Michael Black sented by legal counsel. the Ontario College of Teachers Act, REGISTRATION NO 400220 Bonello made a culturally insensi- 1996 includes touching, behaviour DECISION Suspension, reprimand, tive and unprofessional comment to or remarks of a sexual nature by a conditions a student. member toward a student. A Discipline Committee panel sus- His disregard for board policy and Certified to teach in June 2008, pended the certificate of Adrian compliance with the Occupational Canagasaby attended the hearing Michael Black for physical abuse Health and Safety Act in his woodwork- on January 20, 2020, and had legal and failure to supervise students. ing technology class demonstrates that representation. He is a teacher employed by the he also failed to adequately supervise The Discipline Committee panel Upper Canada District School Board. his students. found Canagasaby guilty of professional Black made inappropriate contact The Discipline Committee panel misconduct and ordered that his Certifi- with a student by grabbing and found Bonello guilty of professional cate of Qualification and Registration be pulling him and by pushing and/or misconduct and ordered that his revoked. The panel also ordered that he blocking students in a doorway. He teaching certificate be suspended for receive a reprimand. also failed to adequately supervise six months. The panel also directed In its decision, the panel stated, these students after they ended up that he appear before it to receive a “The Member’s conduct is unbecoming outside, which resulted in another reprimand. He needs to do so within a member, in that it undermines the student’s injury. 90 days of the panel’s order. reputation of the teaching profession.”
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 63 HEARINGS
MEMBER Kevin Ho-Wai Chan guilty of sexual assault and sexual MEMBER Salim A. Datoo, OCT REGISTRATION NO 573032 interference. He was sentenced to 90 REGISTRATION NO 474147 DECISION Revocation, reprimand days of incarceration to be followed by DECISION Reprimand, conditions A Discipline Committee panel revoked three years of probation. He was also A Discipline Committee panel repri- the teaching certificate of Kevin made the subject of a number of manded Salim A. Datoo, a teacher Ho-Wai Chan for sexually abusing a ancillary orders. employed by the Toronto District School female student. He was a tutor at a The Discipline Committee panel Board, for unprofessional conduct. Toronto private school. found Chan guilty of professional This matter was heard by the panel Certified to teach in March 2010, misconduct and ordered that his on March 9, 2020. Datoo, who was Chan did not attend the hearing on Certificate of Qualification and certified to teach in June 2004, January 17, 2020. He had no legal Registration be revoked. The attended the hearing and had legal representation. panel also ordered that he receive representation. Chan spent time alone with the a reprimand. Datoo verbally and physically student. He gave her rides in his car, In its decision, the panel stated, abused a student by making inappro- spoke with her about personal and “Members are expected to create a priate remarks and using physical intimate issues, frequently held her safe learning environment for students, force to redirect him. hand, hugged her, and kissed her on and not to exploit their position for their The Discipline Committee panel the cheek in a way that violated her own sexual gratification.” found Datoo guilty of professional sexual integrity. misconduct and directed him to appear The definition of sexual abuse in MEMBER Douglas Christopher Dale before it to receive a reprimand. the Ontario College of Teachers Act, REGISTRATION NO 278313 The panel also ordered him to 1996 includes touching, behaviour DECISION Revocation, reprimand successfully complete, at his own or remarks of a sexual nature by a A Discipline Committee panel revoked expense, a course covering appropri- College member toward a student. the teaching certificate of Douglas ate boundaries, with a focus on anger In a criminal court, Chan was found Christopher Dale for sexually abusing management. He must do so within 90 two students. He was formerly days of the panel’s order. employed by the Peel District In its written decision, the panel School Board. stated, “Despite challenging student 1 Certified to teach in August 1997, behaviour, members of the teaching Dale did not attend the hearing on profession must maintain their November 25, 2019, and did not have composure and interact professionally legal representation. with students, which the Member Dale engaged in an inappropriate failed to do.” personal and sexual relationship with two students. MEMBER Lillian Eileen Donaldson In a criminal court, he pleaded REGISTRATION NO 443592 Write guilty to and was convicted of sexual DECISION Suspension, reprimand, exploitation of the students. He was conditions to Us! sentenced to 30 months’ custody A Discipline Committee panel sus- Professionally and made subject to various pended the certificate of Lillian ancillary orders. Eileen Donaldson for a pattern of Speaking The Discipline Committee panel inappropriate and unprofessional welcomes letters found Dale guilty of professional conduct, despite prior warnings from to the editor. misconduct and ordered that his the school board and the College. She Certificate of Qualification and is a teacher employed by the Halton Please address your Registration be revoked. The District School Board. thoughts about content in panel also ordered that he receive This matter was heard by the panel on the magazine to [email protected] a reprimand. November 12, 2019. Donaldson, who was and be sure to include In its decision, the panel stated, “The certified to teach in May 2001, attended your phone number and Member’s conduct was also unbecom- the hearing with her legal counsel. registration number. ing a member of the profession, in that One inappropriate comment he undermined the reputation of the includes telling the class that if she We look forward to profession and violated the trust that had a child like Student 1, she would hearing from you! parents, students and the public place drive him to the Grand Canyon and in teachers.” leave him there.
64 Professionally Speaking September 2020 HEARINGS
The Discipline Committee panel found MEMBER Drew Trent Ferris, OCT raised voice because the student her guilty of professional misconduct REGISTRATION NO 449959 did not complete his seatwork; and and ordered that her teaching certifi- DECISION Reprimand, conditions • allowing the student to leave his cate be suspended for one month. She A Discipline Committee panel classroom without supervision. was directed to appear before the panel reprimanded Drew Trent Ferris, a Gartshore was previously cautioned to receive a reprimand. teacher employed by the Bluewater and admonished by the College’s The panel also ordered her to District School Board, for inappropri- Investigation Committee for similar successfully complete, at her own ate conduct. inappropriate conduct. expense, a course regarding class- This matter was heard by the panel The Discipline Committee panel room management with a focus on on February 4, 2020. Ferris, who found Gartshore guilty of professional adolescent development and student was certified to teach in September misconduct and ordered that his sensitivity issues. She needs to do so 2001, attended the hearing with his teaching certificate be suspended within 90 days of the panel’s order. legal counsel. for two months. The panel also In its written decision, the panel Ferris had physical contact with directed that he appear before it stated, “Members of the profession students on a bus in order to manage to receive a reprimand. must maintain their composure, even their behaviour. In particular, he He must also successfully com- when dealing with challenging issues pinched one student on the arm, which plete, at his own expense, a course in the classroom.” resulted in a bruise. He also made an on classroom management and example of a student and mocked him discipline. He needs to do so within MEMBER David Peter Duncker in front of his class on two occasions. 60 days of the decision. REGISTRATION NO 423953 The Discipline Committee panel In its written decision, the panel DECISION Suspension, reprimand, found Ferris guilty of professional stated, “Members are expected to conditions misconduct and directed him to appear serve as role models for students, to A Discipline Committee panel sus- before it to receive a reprimand. create a safe and supporting learning pended the certificate of David Peter The panel also ordered him to environment for their students and Duncker for inappropriate conduct. He successfully complete, at his own to behave in accordance with the is a teacher employed by the District expense, a course regarding class- standards of the profession.” School Board of Niagara. room management and appropriate Certified to teach in May 1999, communication with students. He MEMBER Neil Gibb, OCT Duncker attended the hearing on must do so within 90 days of the REGISTRATION NO 244049 February 7, 2020, and was represented panel’s order. DECISION Reprimand, conditions by legal counsel. In its written decision, the panel A Discipline Committee panel repri- Duncker engaged in an inappropriate stated, “Members are expected to manded Neil Gibb, a teacher employed personal relationship with a female act in a professional manner and by the York Catholic District School student, which included sending her to exercise good judgment and Board, for inappropriate conduct. gifts, picking her up in his car and compassion for students.” This matter was heard by the panel going out for coffee and shopping, on February 26, 2020. Gibb, who and hugging her. He also engaged MEMBER Stephen Owen Gartshore was certified to teach in November in regular, inappropriate electronic REGISTRATION 417889 1993, attended the hearing with his communications with her. DECISION Suspension, reprimand, legal counsel. The Discipline Committee panel found conditions Gibb engaged in a concerning Duncker guilty of professional miscon- A Discipline Committee panel sus- pattern of inappropriate conduct, and duct and ordered that his teaching pended the certificate of Stephen he did not improve his behaviour after certificate be suspended for two years. Owen Gartshore for inappropriate repeated warnings from his board. The panel also directed that he appear conduct. He is a teacher employed He made several inappropriate before it to receive a reprimand. by the Toronto District School Board. remarks to students, swore in class, He must also successfully com- Certified to teach in August 1998, yelled at students and disciplined plete, at his own expense, a course on Gartshore attended the hearing on them by having them do pushups. boundary violations. He needs to do so January 21, 2020, and was repre- The Discipline Committee panel within three months of the decision. sented by legal counsel. found Gibb guilty of professional In its written decision, the panel Gartshore’s inappropriate conduct misconduct and directed him to appear stated, “The Member demonstrated a and comments include: before it to receive a reprimand. profound lack of professional judg- • striking his hand down on a It also ordered him to successfully ment by fostering an inappropriate student’s desk; complete, at his own expense, a personal relationship with a student.” • speaking to a student with a loud, course regarding respectful relation-
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 65 HEARINGS
ships with students and classroom Henri did not attend the hearing on reprimand, conditions management. He must do so prior to February 3, 2020. He had no legal A Discipline Committee panel sus- starting or resuming any teaching representation. pended the teaching certificate of position or any position for which a Henri sent one student Facebook Jennifer Allyson Leon for unprofession- Certificate of Qualification and messages of a sexual nature. He kissed al conduct. She is employed by the Registration is required. her on several occasions and touched Ministry of Education as an elementary In its written decision, the panel her in a sexual manner. He also engaged teacher at a school for the deaf. stated, “Members are expected to serve in a boyfriend-girlfriend-type relation- Leon, who was certified to teach in as role models for students, which the ship with another student during which April 2005, did not attend the hearing Member failed to do by repeatedly they had sexual intercourse. on January 30, 2020, but had legal making inappropriate comments, The Discipline Committee panel found representation. swearing and yelling in class.” Henri guilty of professional misconduct Leon demonstrated a lack of and ordered that his Certificate of empathy for students by “often MEMBER Brian John Hathway Qualification and Registration be exhibit[ing] anger and frustration” REGISTRATION NO 495973 revoked. The panel also ordered that toward students and by being “rough DECISION Revocation, reprimand he receive a reprimand. and abrasive.” A Discipline Committee panel revoked In its decision, the panel stated, The Discipline Committee panel the teaching certificate of Brian John “The public’s trust in the teaching found Leon guilty of professional Hathway for sexually abusing a student. profession is eroded when members misconduct and ordered that her He was a teacher formerly employed by abuse their position of trust and certificate be suspended for one the Upper Grand District School Board. authority to sexually and emotionally month. She was also directed to Certified to teach in August 2005, abuse their students.” appear before the panel to receive a Hathway did not attend the hearing reprimand. She needs to do so within on March 10, 2020. He had no legal MEMBER Tom Walter Keenan, OCT 90 days of the order. representation. REGISTRATION NO 201312 In addition, she was directed to Hathway engaged in a pattern of DECISION Reprimand, conditions complete a course of instruction, at her inappropriate grooming behaviour and A Discipline Committee panel repri- own expense, regarding anger manage- subsequently abused a student. manded Tom Walter Keenan, a teacher ment and classroom management. He was sentenced, in a criminal employed by the Algoma District School She needs to do so prior to starting or court, to one year in custody for each Board, for unprofessional conduct. resuming a teaching position for which of the four counts of which he was This matter was heard by the panel a Certificate of Qualification and convicted, to be served concurrently, on March 9, 2020. Keenan, who was Registration is required. followed by three years of probation. certified to teach in June 1993, did not In its written decision, the panel He was also made the subject of a attend the hearing but had legal stated, “Teachers hold a unique number of ancillary orders. representation. position of trust and authority. They The Discipline Committee panel found Keenan made demeaning comments must model appropriate behaviour for Hathway guilty of professional miscon- to a student and consumed alcohol students and encourage students in duct and ordered that his Certificate while supervising students. the pursuit of learning.” of Qualification and Registration be The Discipline Committee panel revoked. The panel also ordered that found Keenan guilty of professional MEMBER Victor Ly he receive a reprimand. misconduct and directed him to appear REGISTRATION NO 670351 In its decision, the panel stated, before it to receive a reprimand. DECISION Revocation, reprimand “The Panel denounces the Member’s It also ordered him to successfully A Discipline Committee panel revoked misconduct in the strongest terms.” complete, at his own expense, a the teaching certificate of Victor Ly, course covering professional bound- a teacher formerly employed by the MEMBER Justin Charles Henri aries. He must do so within 90 days of Halton District School Board, for REGISTRATION NO 631042 the panel’s order. criminal conduct. DECISION Revocation, reprimand In its written decision, the panel In a criminal court, Ly was found A Discipline Committee panel revoked stated, “Members are expected to serve guilty of 19 charges including making the teaching certificate of Justin Charles as positive role models for students, child pornography, invitation to sexual Henri for sexually abusing two female which the Member failed to do.” touching, extortion, transmitting a students. He was an occasional teacher sexually explicit image for the purpose formerly employed by the Trillium MEMBER Jennifer Allyson Leon of making child pornography, luring a Lakelands District School Board. REGISTRATION NO 490731 child for the purpose of making child Certified to teach in August 2012, DECISION Suspension, pornography, possessing and distrib-
66 Professionally Speaking September 2020 HEARINGS
uting child pornography. reprimand, conditions misconduct and directed him to appear He was sentenced to a five-year A Discipline Committee panel sus- before it to receive a reprimand. custodial sentence and was made pended the certificate of Gurjit Kaur The panel also ordered him to subject to a number of ancillary orders. Marok for dishonest conduct. She is a successfully complete, at his own Certified to teach in July 2015, Ly teacher employed by the Peel District expense, a course on classroom did not attend the hearing on January School Board. management and effective super- 17, 2020, nor was he represented by Certified to teach in June 2001, Marok vision, including student safety in an legal counsel. attended the hearing on February 14, auto shop/transportation technology The Discipline Committee panel 2020, with her legal counsel. class. He must do so within 90 days of found Ly guilty of professional miscon- Marok misused sick days to attend the panel’s order. duct and ordered that his Certificate a conference in the Bahamas, used In its written decision, the panel of Qualification and Registration be her position as a teacher to access stated, “Members of the profession revoked. The panel also ordered that confidential student information, must prioritize student safety.” he receive a reprimand. and misled her colleagues in order In its decision, the panel stated, to distribute marketing materials MEMBER Lydia Maurice Nakhla, OCT “The panel denounces the Member’s to solicit business for personal gain. REGISTRATION NO 477616 misconduct in the strongest terms.” The Discipline Committee panel found DECISION Conditions Marok guilty of professional misconduct A Discipline Committee panel ordered MEMBER Alan Philip Markham and ordered that her teaching certifi- that the certificate of Lydia Maurice REGISTRATION NO 422136 cate be suspended for one month. The Nakhla be subject to terms, conditions DECISION Revocation, reprimand panel also directed that she appear or limitations due to a finding of A Discipline Committee panel before it to receive a reprimand. incompetence. She is a teacher revoked the Certificate of Qualifica- She must also successfully complete, formerly employed by the Conseil tion and Registration of Alan Philip at her own expense, a course regarding scolaire catholique Providence. Markham for sexually abusing a professional ethics. She needs to do so Certified to teach in October 2004, female student. He was formerly within 90 days of the panel’s order. Nakhla did not attend the hearing on employed by the Keewatin Patricia In its written decision, the panel February 24, 2020, and was not District School Board. stated, “ ... the Member’s deceitful and represented by legal counsel. Markham was certified to teach in self-serving conduct is unbecoming Nakhla displayed in her professional February 1999. He did not attend the a member in that it undermined the responsibilities a lack of knowledge, hearing on November 8, 2019, and had reputation of the teaching profession.” skill or judgment, and a disregard for no legal representation. the welfare of a student. Markham engaged in inappropriate MEMBER Robert Steven She was given two performance electronic communications with a McColeman, OCT appraisals as part of the New Teacher student at his school on the Tinder REGISTRATION NO 258113 Induction Program. She received a dating app. His remarks were of a DECISION Reprimand, conditions “Development Needed” rating on the sexual nature, and therefore, consti- A Discipline Committee panel ordered first one and an “Unsatisfactory” on tute “sexual abuse” under the Ontario that Robert Steven McColeman be the second. College of Teachers Act, 1996. reprimanded for inappropriate Prior to filling or resuming a teach- The Discipline Committee panel conduct. He is a teacher employed by ing position or any position that found him guilty of professional the Upper Grand District School Board. requires a Certificate of Qualification misconduct and directed the This matter was heard by the panel and Registration, she must success- Registrar to revoke his Certificate of on October 24, 2019. McColeman, fully complete, at her own expense, an Qualification and Registration. The who was certified to teach in June Additional Qualification or Additional panel also directed that he receive 1993, attended the hearing with his Basic Qualification course that covers a reprimand within six months of legal counsel. He failed to supervise teaching and learning strategies, the panel’s order. students under his care. He failed to assessment and evaluation of student In its written decision, the panel prevent three students from driving a learning, and classroom management. stated, “Engaging in the sexual abuse motor vehicle during instructional In its written decision, the panel of a student is a clear breach of the time. That failure resulted in the stated, “ ... the Panel considers that standards of the profession.” students being involved in an accident. the Member’s performance should He also did not immediately report the be monitored closely for the first MEMBER Gurjit Kaur Marok accident to the school’s administration. year after any resumption of her REGISTRATION NO 444472 The Discipline Committee panel duties, to ensure that it continues DECISION Suspension, found McColeman guilty of professional to be satisfactory.”
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 67 HEARINGS
MEMBER Paul Nolis management. He needs to do so prior He was also ordered to pay REGISTRATION NO 507131 to starting or resuming a teaching $3,000 in costs within 90 days DECISION Suspension, reprimand, position or any position for which of the order. conditions, costs a Certificate of Qualification and In its written decision, the panel A Discipline Committee panel sus- Registration is required. stated, “The aggravating factors in pended the certificate of Paul Nolis He was also ordered to pay the the Member’s case are the repeated for inappropriate conduct. He was an College $12,500 in costs, which nature of his conduct despite three occasional teacher employed by the must be paid within six months of disciplinary investigations by the York Region District School Board. the panel’s order. Cost orders are Board and his failure to take the This matter was heard by the panel compensatory, rather than punitive, remedial course directed by the on November 12–13, 2019. Nolis, who in nature. Unco-operative or vexatious Board in 2010 until July 2015.” was certified to teach in August 2006, conduct during the disciplinary did not attend the hearing and did not process can lengthen the duration MEMBER Geoffrey James Orton have legal representation. of the proceedings and increase the REGISTRATION NO 256166 His conduct included: expense to the College. DECISION Revocation, reprimand • making numerous inappropriate In its written decision, the panel A Discipline Committee panel revoked remarks to students, which had a stated, “His conduct was also un- the Certificate of Qualification and negative psychological or emotional becoming a member in that it under- Registration of Geoffrey James Orton effect. In doing so, he undermined mines the trust and respect accorded for misconduct of a sexual nature, the confidence of students with to the profession.” among other things. He was employed academic struggles and created an by the Hamilton-Wentworth District atmosphere of intimidation instead MEMBER John Thomas Orme School Board. of encouragement; REGISTRATION NO 440553 Orton was certified to teach in • inexcusably refusing to allow an DECISION Suspension, reprimand, June 1996. He attended the hearing injured student to seek first aid, conditions, costs on November 4, 2019, and had legal and creating a dangerous condition A Discipline Committee panel sus- representation. by leaving a room unlocked that pended the certificate of John Thomas On more than one occasion, Orton resulted in injury to another Orme, a teacher employed by the looked at the cleavage of two female student; and Hamilton-Wentworth District School students. As a result of his conduct, • refusing the board’s remediation Board, for a repeated pattern of both students felt uncomfortable and attempts by failing to attend inappropriate conduct. one of them began wearing sweaters meetings and follow the remedial This matter was heard by the panel and high-neck tops. recommendations made by admin- on September 18, 2019. Orme, who He also failed to adequately istrators in their occasional teacher was certified to teach in June 2001, supervise his students on multiple incident reports. did not attend the hearing. He had no occasions. For example, he did not Nolis also engaged in a pattern of legal representation. immediately intervene when students unreasonable and vexatious conduct Orme made inappropriate com- filled plastic bottles with gas, lit them during the College disciplinary ments to students, both orally and in on fire and threw the lit objects into proceedings by making unfounded writing. He also assigned inappropri- the garbage. accusations and threats against the ate journal topics and inadequately The Discipline Committee panel College and its counsel when they supervised students. The Discipline found him guilty of professional were simply conducting themselves Committee panel found him guilty of misconduct and directed the Regis- according to their professional roles professional misconduct and ordered trar to revoke his Certificate of in the discipline process. that his teaching certificate be Qualification and Registration. The Discipline Committee panel suspended for three months. The panel also directed that he found Nolis guilty of professional He was directed to appear before receive a reprimand. misconduct and ordered that his the panel to receive a reprimand. He In its written decision, the panel teaching certificate be suspended needs to appear within three months stated, “Engaging in behaviour of for 14 weeks. He also received a of the panel’s order. The panel also a sexual nature towards students, written reprimand. ordered him to successfully complete, such as looking at the cleavage of The panel also ordered him to at his own expense, a course on female students, is a clear breach successfully complete, at his own professional boundaries with a focus of the standards of the profession expense, a course regarding main- on sensitivities toward students. and an abuse of the Member’s taining appropriate boundaries with He needs to do so prior to returning position of trust and authority students and a course on classroom to teaching. as a teacher.”
68 Professionally Speaking September 2020 HEARINGS
MEMBER Matthew Dale Palmer misconduct and directed her to appear his profession while adversely REGISTRATION NO 500529 before it to receive a reprimand. impacted by alcohol abuse.” DECISION Revocation, reprimand It also ordered her to successfully A Discipline Committee panel revoked complete, at her own expense, a MEMBER Thomas Albert the Certificate of Qualification and course regarding classroom manage- Shackleton, OCT Registration of Matthew Dale Palmer ment and anger management. She REGISTRATION NO 180228 for criminal conduct. He was formerly must do so within 90 days of the DECISION Reprimand, conditions employed by the Bluewater District panel’s order. A Discipline Committee panel ordered School Board. In its written decision, the panel that Thomas Albert Shackleton be Palmer was certified to teach in July stated, “The Member breached reprimanded for repeated instances 2007. He did not attend the hearing on appropriate teacher-student bound- of inappropriate and unprofessional October 23, 2019, and had no legal aries when she grabbed Student A behaviour directed at colleagues and representation. by both arms and shook her.” students. He is a teacher formerly Palmer engaged in a sexual employed by the Toronto District relationship with a minor he met MEMBER Walter Schweigel, OCT School Board. at a local church. REGISTRATION NO 179452 This matter was heard by the panel He was found guilty of sexual DECISION Reprimand, conditions, on December 9, 2019. Shackleton, who exploitation in a criminal court. He undertaking was certified to teach in June 1995, was sentenced to six months’ custody A Discipline Committee panel repri- did not attend the hearing. He did not and 18 months’ probation. He was manded Walter Schweigel, a teacher have legal representation. also made the subject of a number formerly employed by the Toronto Shackleton’s conduct included of ancillary orders. District School Board, for unprofes- repeated vulgar, demeaning and The Discipline Committee panel sional conduct. racist comments. found him guilty of professional This matter was heard by the panel The Discipline Committee panel misconduct and directed the Registrar on November 5, 2019. Schweigel, found Shackleton guilty of profession- to revoke his Certificate of Qualifica- who was certified to teach in June al misconduct and directed him to tion and Registration. The panel also 1986, attended the hearing with his appear before it to receive a repri- directed that he receive a reprimand. legal counsel. mand. He needs to do so prior to In its written decision, the panel Schweigel engaged in the practice starting or returning to any position stated, “The public’s trust in the of teaching while adversely impacted requiring a Certificate of Qualification teaching profession is eroded when by his abuse of alcohol. He failed to and Registration. members are convicted of sexual report on several occasions, did not It also ordered him to successfully offences.” notify the school prior to his ab- complete, at his own expense, a sences, did not arrange for an occa- course covering professional ethics MEMBER Nina Pogossian, OCT sional teacher to cover his classes, and appropriate communications with REGISTRATION NO 428585 and did not provide lesson plans. students. He must do so prior to DECISION Reprimand, conditions The Discipline Committee panel starting or returning to any position A Discipline Committee panel repri- found Schweigel guilty of professional requiring a Certificate of Qualification manded Nina Pogossian, a teacher misconduct and directed him to appear and Registration. employed by the Toronto District School before it to receive a reprimand. In its written decision, the panel Board, for inappropriate conduct. It also ordered him to successfully stated, “Members of the profession This matter was heard by the panel complete, at his own expense, a are expected to be responsible adults, on October 25, 2019. Pogossian, who course on appropriate professional model good values and behaviour, and was certified to teach in March 2001, ethics. He must do so prior to starting play a supportive role for students.” attended the hearing and had legal any teaching position for which a representation. Certificate of Qualification and MEMBER Saadia Syed Pogossian scolded, grabbed and Registration is required. REGISTRATION NO 481308 shook a kindergarten student. This Schweigel also entered into an DECISION Suspension, reprimand, conduct constitutes physical and “undertaking and acknowledgement” conditions psychological or emotional abuse. with the College, which sets out A Discipline Committee panel Pogossian had been previously conditions that must be met before suspended the teaching certificate disciplined by her board for similar he can hold a position for which a of Saadia Syed for unprofessional misconduct in the past. certificate is required. In its written conduct. She was formerly employed The Discipline Committee panel decision, the panel stated, “It is by the York Region District School found Pogossian guilty of professional unacceptable for a teacher to practise Board.
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 69 HEARINGS
Syed, who was certified to teach son’s case are the multiple incidents pay the College $5,000 in costs, in January 2005, attended the hearing of misconduct and his prior disciplin- which must be paid within six months on February 13, 2020. She had no legal ary history with the school board and of the panel’s order. Costs orders are representation. the College. compensatory (to reimburse the Syed submitted 48 false expense The Discipline Committee panel College for the expenses of disciplin- receipts, totalling over $42,000, and found Thompson guilty of professional ary proceedings) rather than punitive. received payment of over $41, 000 misconduct and ordered that his In its decision, the panel stated, from the board’s benefits provider. teaching certificate be suspended for “The Member’s conduct undermined In a criminal court, she was found four months. The panel also directed the reputation of the teaching guilty of one count of Use Forged that he appear before it to receive profession and as such, will not Document. She received a condi- a reprimand. be tolerated. He has accordingly tional discharge, was placed on In its written decision, the panel forfeited the privilege of holding probation for three years and was stated, “Teachers are expected to find a teaching certificate and being a ordered to complete 100 hours of appropriate ways to communicate member of the teaching profession community service. instructions and directions to stu- in Ontario.” The Discipline Committee panel dents that do not involve physical found Syed guilty of professional or verbal abuse.” MEMBER Thomas Steven Vincer misconduct and ordered that her REGISTRATION NO 164745 certificate be suspended for 12 MEMBER Luigi Trinchi DECISION Revocation, reprimand months. She was also directed to REGISTRATION NO 480848 A Discipline Committee panel appear before the panel to receive DECISION Revocation, reprimand, costs revoked the Certificate of Qualifica- a reprimand. A Discipline Committee panel tion and Registration of Thomas In addition, she was directed to revoked the teaching certificate Steven Vincer for criminal conduct. complete a course of instruction, at of Luigi Trinchi, a teacher formerly He was formerly employed by the her own expense, regarding ethics. employed by the Toronto Catholic Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District She needs to do so prior to returning District School Board, for engaging School Board. to teaching or to any position for which in voyeurism. Vincer was certified to teach in June a Certificate of Qualification and Certified to teach in July 2004, 1975. He did not attend the hearing on Registration is required. Trinchi did not attend the hearing on December 9, 2019, and had no legal In its written decision, the panel November 8, 2019, nor was he repre- representation. Vincer repeatedly stated, “Even though the Member’s sented by legal counsel. engaged in the sexual touching of a misconduct did not target students, In a criminal court, he was found male student. the Member’s unethical behaviour guilty of surreptitiously making a He was found guilty of sexual assault tarnished the reputation of the visual recording of a female colleague. in a criminal court and sentenced to teaching profession as a whole.” He was given a suspended sentence an 18-month custodial sentence to be and 12 months of probation. followed by one year of probation. He MEMBER Donald Ashley Thompson Trinchi and this colleague were was also made the subject of a number REGISTRATION NO 440021 involved in an intimate relationship. of ancillary orders. DECISION Suspension, reprimand She posed nude during a Skype video The Discipline Committee panel A Discipline Committee panel sus- conversation with him. She thought found him guilty of professional pended the certificate of Donald the video was being live-streamed and misconduct and directed the Regis- Ashley Thompson for a pattern of not recorded. Without her knowledge, trar to revoke his Certificate of inappropriate conduct. He is a teacher Trinchi took and retained a number of Qualification and Registration. The formerly employed by the Toronto screenshots of her while she was panel also directed that he receive District School Board. nude. After the end of their relation- a reprimand. Certified to teach in September ship, he sent the nude pictures to a list In its written decision, the panel 2001, Thompson did not attend the of recipients including her family, stated, “The Panel believes that hearing on November 11, 2019, but friends and colleagues. revocation is the only appropriate was represented by legal counsel. The Discipline Committee panel and proportionate order in light of Thompson was physically and found Trinchi guilty of professional the Member’s misconduct.” verbally abusive to his students on misconduct and ordered that his multiple occasions. He grabbed, Certificate of Qualification and MEMBER Marcello Rosario Vite, OCT pushed, hit, physically shook and Registration be revoked. The REGISTRATION NO 114211 yelled at students. panel also ordered that he receive DECISION Reprimand, conditions The aggravating factors in Thomp- a reprimand. He was also ordered to A Discipline Committee panel repri-
70 Professionally Speaking September 2020 HEARINGS
manded Marcello Rosario Vite, an When she came back, she threw a expense, a course regarding re- occasional teacher employed by the book at a student. specting appropriate professional Toronto District School Board, for The Discipline Committee panel boundaries with students. He needs verbally abusing students. found Von Eppinghoven guilty of to do so within 200 days of the This matter was heard by the professional misconduct and ordered panel’s order. panel on February 13, 2020. Vite, that her teaching certificate be In its written decision, the panel who was certified to teach in June suspended for one month. The panel stated, “Tapping students on the 1972, attended the hearing with his also directed that she appear before shoulder and tapping a student lying legal counsel. it to receive a reprimand. She must on the ground with a shoe to get their Vite repeatedly made insensitive also successfully complete, at her attention is disrespectful.” and inappropriate comments to own expense, a course on effective students, some of which were student discipline. She needs to do so MEMBER Avery Jean Wilson embarrassing or upsetting to them. within 120 days of the panel’s order. REGISTRATION NO 642874 The comments were about students’ In its written decision, the panel DECISION Revocation, reprimand, costs ethnicities, sexual orientation, stated, “It is unacceptable for A Discipline Committee panel relationship status and other members of the teaching profession revoked the teaching certificate of personal issues. to resort to violence when attempting College member Avery Jean Wilson The Discipline Committee panel to discipline students.” for engaging in an inappropriate found Vite guilty of professional personal and sexual relationship misconduct and directed him MEMBER Donald Andrew Wai with two male students. to appear before it to receive REGISTRATION NO 285693 She held supervisory responsibil- a reprimand. The panel also ordered DECISION Suspension, reprimand, ities over a school’s boarding students him to successfully complete, at his conditions and lived in the dormitory part time. own expense, a course relating to A Discipline Committee panel Certified to teach in July 2014, professional boundaries with suspended the certificate of Wilson did not have legal representa- students and a course relating to Donald Andrew Wai for unprofes- tion and did not attend the hearing on appropriate communication with sional conduct. He is a teacher December 7, 2018, or December 4, students, including cultural sensitiv- employed by the Toronto District 2019. The Discipline Committee panel ity training. He must do so within 90 School Board. found Wilson guilty of professional days of its order. This matter was heard by the misconduct and ordered that her In its written decision, the panel panel on November 18, 2019. Wai, Certificate of Qualification and stated, “The aggravating factors in the who was certified to teach in June Registration be revoked. The panel Member’s case are the serious and 1996, attended the hearing with his also ordered that she receive a repeated nature of his misconduct.” legal counsel. reprimand. She was ordered to pay the Wai tapped female students on College $20,000 in costs. She needs to MEMBER Elizabeth Marie the shoulder, and he touched them do so within six months of the panel’s Von Eppinghoven with his shoe in a manner that made order. A costs award is compensatory REGISTRATION NO 101450 the students feel uncomfortable. rather than punitive in nature. The DECISION Suspension, reprimand, These were inappropriate forms of panel found that Wilson’s conduct conditions physical contact and he ought to lengthened the duration of the A Discipline Committee panel have used verbal cues instead to proceeding, thus increasing the suspended the certificate of Eliza- provide the students with direction. expense to the College. beth Marie Von Eppinghoven for During a practice drill, he also In its decision, the panel stated, inappropriate and unprofessional instructed students to extend their “Engaging in secret, inappropriate conduct despite warnings from the shirts in a way that exposed their relationships with students in the board and the College. She is a stomachs. midst of their sexual and emotional teacher employed by the Toronto The Discipline Committee panel development has the potential to District School Board. found him guilty of professional cause lasting and severe emotional Certified to teach in October misconduct and ordered that his damage for the students.” PS 1993, Von Eppinghoven attended teaching certificate be suspended the hearing on December 16, 2019, for one month. He was directed to with her legal counsel. appear before the panel to receive Copies of the full Von Eppinghoven left her students a reprimand. decisions are available at alone with a student teacher for The panel also ordered him to oct-oeeo.ca/decisions. 10–15 minutes to go to Tim Hortons. successfully complete, at his own
September 2020 Professionally Speaking 71 FINAL EXAM The Doctor is In Hamza Haq, the star of Transplant, shares how a drama teacher helped him find his calling — and why he regrets not paying more attention in physics class.
BY LAURA BICKLE
• Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, October 1990 • Father is an electrical engineer, mother has her masters in organic chemistry • Youngest of four, with two sisters and one brother • Moved to Ottawa at age nine • Attended Bayshore Public School for Grades 4 and 5; D.A. Moodie Intermediate School for Grades 6 to 8 and Bell High School for Grades 9 to 12 • Graduated from Carleton University with a BA in film studies and a minor in law in 2012 • Had a multi-episode arc on This Life in 2016 for which he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance in 2018 • Appeared in the mini-series The Indian Detective with Russell Peters and William Shatner in 2017 • Stars in Transplant, a medical drama on CTV and Crave • My Salinger Year, in which he performs with Margaret Qualley and Sigourney Weaver, was released this year
Describe yourself in elementary the background in the first movie I made Fondest school-related memory? school in three words. in Grade 8. And anything by Linkin Park. Performing Beowulf at the Sears Inquisitive, jolly, energetic. Ontario Drama Festival Showcase What books are you in St. Catharines in Grade 11. Describe yourself in high school currently reading? in three words. The entire collected works of Rumi Quality you most appreciated Arrogant, insecure, lazy. and Night of Power by Anar Ali. in a teacher? Listening to a student’s concerns. What was your favourite subject in What do you wish you had been school and why? taught in school but weren’t? Which subject do you wish you had Drama. I mean, that has to be Taxes and fiscal responsibility. paid more attention to and why? obvious, right? Physics, because my mom always My most embarrassing moment at beats me in physics-related Jeopardy! What was your most challenging school was … categories! subject and why? I bought four candy grams on Valen- History. It was difficult to get my head tine’s Day for this girl I had a crush on Best advice that a teacher gave you around what was deemed relevant in my math class who also sat next to during your school years? when so much was being left out. me. The following day she requested I wasn’t the best actor in drama to be moved to another seat. class, but I got better parts in the What songs take you back to your plays because my drama teacher told school days and why? In school I struggled with … me that hopefully if other brown kids “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys, my first slow Attendance. got to see me acting and having fun, dance in Grade 6; “My Sacrifice” by maybe they’d be interested in trying it Creed reminds me of getting together Most important life lesson as well and discovering it was meant with the boys to watch wrestling; “Hey learned at school? for them. It was a huge lesson on the
Ya!” by Outkast was the song I used as Hard work trumps raw talent. importance of representation. PS ROSS RANDALL PHOTO:
72 Professionally Speaking September 2020 “My advice? Plan early.” - Alison Robinson Teacher
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