101 Bloor Street West
Toronto ON, M5S 0A1
P: 416-961-8800
Toll Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1-888-534-2222
F: 416-961-8822
info@oct.ca

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Find a Teacher

FAQs

Roles and Recruitment

1. What are you recruiting for?

We are looking for members of the public and Ontario Certified Teachers to make a difference in education and student well-being by volunteering to help govern the teaching profession.

There are roles available on different arms of governance, including:

  • Council, which ensures that policies are established in accordance with the College’s objects as set out in the Ontario College of Teachers Act. Council members will also serve on the following subcommittees: Audit and Finance, Human Resources, and Selection and Nominating.
  • Rosters, whose members participate on panels to decide on matters on behalf of a committee.
2. How does the application process work?

To apply, please complete our online application. You will be asked to provide a resumé.

Applications for governance positions are accepted year-round and will be held for review until the annual selection process, which occurs at the end of each calendar year.

Honorariums and Reimbursements

3. Are these paid positions?

These are voluntary positions. However, members of the public will receive an honorarium for their service. Employers are required to release Ontario Certified Teachers with pay to perform the work of the College. In turn, we reimburse them for the hiring of temporary replacement teachers.

4. How much is the honorarium?

The honorarium is $150 per day for Council, committees and roster members and $225 per day for Council and committee chairs and panel chairs.

5. I’m a retired teacher. Will this affect my pension?

If you are a retired member of the teaching profession, the role of a Council, committee or roster member does not meet the definition of re-employed pensioner. As a result, the College is not required to report your service to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. In fulfilling your role, you are not considered to be employed by the Ontario College of Teachers, nor are you otherwise engaged, directly or indirectly, by an employer who participates in the pension plan.

Work and Time Commitment

6. What will the work look like?
You will be part of a team consisting of members of the public and Ontario Certified Teachers to review and make informed decisions related to the regulation of Ontario’s teaching profession.
7. Are we meeting in person?

Meetings are held by electronic means except in certain circumstances as determined by the Registrar.

8. How much time will this take?

We are looking for individuals who can commit between 10 – 30 business days each year depending on the role to which they are appointed.

Anticipated Annual Time Commitment

  • Orientation for Council and committee members: 3 half-days.
  • Council: 7 days per year
  • Council sub-committees: 4 to 6 days per year for each committee plus 1 day of training
  • Accreditation Committee: 6 to 10 days plus 2 days of training
  • Accreditation Appeal Committee: 1 day training plus additional days for panel work if an appeal is received
  • Discipline and Fitness to Practise Committee: 20 to 30 days (approximately) plus 2 days of training
  • Investigation Committee: 9 to 10 days (plus an additional 15 to 20 days for preparation) plus 2 days of training
  • Registration Appeals Committee: 8 to 10 days plus 1 day of training
  • Standards of Practice and Education Committee: 4 to 6 days plus 1 day training
  • Rosters: participation on committee training days and service on panels as required.
9. How long are the terms of office?

The standard terms are for two years, eligible for renewal to a maximum of six years.. To stagger future terms, one-year appointments will also be available for the founding Council and committees. Term limitations will apply, for example, if you have previously served as a Council member.

Competencies and Qualifications

10. Do you have to be a teacher to apply?

No, we are looking for members of the public and Ontario Certified Teachers to provide different perspectives. Ontario Certified Teachers must be in good standing to qualify.

Please note that you will be assessed as a member of the teaching profession if you have taught in any capacity, regardless of length of service and jurisdiction.

11. What are the qualifications?

We are looking for members of the public and Ontario Certified Teachers with various backgrounds to fill our rosters. Please take a look at our competency matrix for more information.

Application Process

12. When does the application process run?

Applications for governance positions are accepted year-round and will be held for review until the annual selection process, which occurs at the end of each calendar year.

13. How long will it take to complete the application form?

It will take 20-30 minutes to complete the application. However, you can save your progress partway and log in again later on to complete it.

14. Can I pause the application process and come back to it later?

You can save your progress partway and log in again later on to complete the application.

Applications for governance positions are accepted year-round and will be held for review until the annual selection process, which occurs at the end of each calendar year.

Selection Process

15. When will the College inform applicants if they have been successful?

Applications for governance positions are accepted year-round and will be held for review until the annual selection process, which occurs at the end of each calendar year.

All applicants will be notified by December 30 each year.

16. Is there an interview process?

Yes. Qualifying applicants may be asked to participate in an interview and provide references.

Roles and Responsibilities

17. What’s the difference between Council, committees and rosters?

Council is our governing body, much like a board of directors, charged with policy oversight. There are 12 Council positions, equally represented by the public and members of the teaching profession. Members of Council may serve on Council’s subcommittees but they will not serve on statutory or regulatory committees, or on the applicable rosters of those committees.

Committees exercise Council’s authority and carry out statutory and regulatory duties. There are five statutory committees (Investigation, Discipline, Fitness to Practise, Registration Appeals and the Adjudicative Body of Chairs) and three regulatory committees (Standards of Practice and Education, Accreditation and Accreditation Appeal). Committee members do not serve on Council.

Roster members form panels that adjudicate matters on behalf of committees.

18. Can someone serve in more than one role?

The new governance structure ensures that every governance member is completely focused on their distinct role. For example:

  • Council members will not serve on committees or rosters.
  • Committee members will not serve on Council.
  • Roster members participate on panels that decide on matters on behalf of committees.

Apply now

101 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 0A1

Client Services:

Telephone: 416.961.8800

Toll-Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1.888.534.2222

info@oct.ca

All Other Inquiries:

Telephone: 437.880.3000

Toll-Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1.833.966.5588

info@oct.ca

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