Issue 18

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In this Issue:

Marketing needed to attract men to teaching, educators say

Ontario educators are releasing a report today that suggests provincial government action to attract men to careers in teaching.

Narrowing the Gender Gap: Attracting Men to Teaching recommends that the province champion a multi-year marketing campaign, research and possible incentives to bring men into the profession and retain them.

The report follows months of consultation with students, teachers, administrators, parents, education stakeholders and community groups, and an examination of trends across Canada and around the world.

Ontario educators launched the study in February in response to school board hiring concerns and the lack of available male teachers. The research project was undertaken by Jean-Luc Bernard, Directeur de l'éducation, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest (CSDCSO); David Hill, Director of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board; Pat Falter, Consulting Director, English Language School of Education, Laurentian University; and Doug Wilson, Registrar, Ontario College of Teachers.

Fewer than one in three Ontario teachers are men. The shortage is acute at the primary-junior levels where, according to Ontario College of Teachers data, only one in 10 teachers under the age of 30 are male.

The project uncovered a number of perceived barriers to men entering teaching, among them: low salaries; negative stereotypes; and fears of allegations of sexual misconduct.

"Finding, hiring and retaining quality teachers - male or female - is a priority in education, particularly in high need subjects such as French, math and science," says College Registrar Doug Wilson. "Unfortunately, young men are choosing other career paths."

Return Books for Free

What's New in the Library is updated monthly and lists new items in the College library collection. Members may borrow these items by contacting the library by phone, e-mail, fax or in person.

Loans are for three weeks, limited to eight items and may be renewed twice.

You can now also return books postage-free to the library. The College's library was recently approved by Canada Post (CP) as a recognized circulating library, permitting it to mail books at reduced rates.

"This represents a big savings," says College librarian Olivia Hamilton. "A package that previously cost $5.35 in postage can now be sent for only 77 cents. And what’s more, the postage paid at the time of mailing covers the return shipment."

Books being returned to the library can be mailed at no cost using the original envelope with a CP-approved label that will be enclosed with the books they have requested.

Members are entitled to borrow up to eight books at a time, but the special mail rates apply only to books - not videotapes or other resources.

Click here for more information regarding the library and its resources or e-mail library@oct.ca.

Olivia Hamilton
Ontario College of Teachers
Margaret Wilson Library
121 Bloor St. E.
Toronto ON M4W 3M5

Phone: 416-961-8800 ext. 279 or 1-888-534-2222 ext. 279
Fax: 416-961-9838
E-mail: ohamilton@oct.ca
http://www.oct.ca/en/aboutcollege/mw-library_e.asp

Employment Opportunities at the Ontario College of Teachers

College members with demonstrated leadership in the profession are invited to apply to these full-time permanent positions that have become available as a result of staff retirements or relocation within the College.

A Program Officer in Accreditation supports the Accreditation Committee in reviewing teacher education programs. Educators with a solid knowledge of teacher education as well as successful program development and review experience are eligible for this position.

A Program Officer in Standards of Practice and Education supports the Standards of Practice Committee through research, analysis and development of policies and programs related to initial and ongoing teacher education and teaching practices. This position is open to educators with successful teaching leadership, program development and research experience.

An Education Research Assistant supports the Professional Affairs Department through both qualitative and quantitative research projects in relation to the College's standards of practice, ethical standards and accreditation processes and professional learning framework. This position does not require membership of the College.

To see all three job postings listed on the College web site, click here.