A message from your Registrar: Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO

As we approach the end of 2023, Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Teachers, shares her reflections on her first year in her role. This year has been a momentous one for the College, characterized by the introduction of a new five-year strategic plan and regulatory changes that significantly impacted College operations. Additionally, the College has implemented a new technology strategy to continually improve operations and streamline services. Throughout this transformative year, there has been increased engagement with education and regulatory stakeholders.

We invite you to read Linda’s full message to the profession.

College adopts 2024-28 Strategic Plan

While regulating in the public interest is a constant, the environment in which the College operates is always shifting. Bill 98, for example, introduced changes to the Ontario College of Teachers Act that enhance student protection.

As we plan for the road ahead, College Council approved the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan at their October 5 meeting. The adoption followed a year-long consultation that involved internal and external stakeholders.

The new Strategic Plan will guide Council decision-making and inform College operations for the next five years.

During that time, the College will focus on four strategic goals:

1. Accountable and agile processes to certify educators to teach in Ontario classrooms.
2. Teachers who are informed of, and held accountable to, professional standards.
3. Efficient and proportionate responses to alleged and actual misconduct, incompetence, and incapacity.
4. A clear and independent role in the education system.

The strategic goals are current and aligned with our legislated mandate to regulate the teaching profession to protect the public interest and the well-being of Ontario’s students.

Upholding professional standards for the teaching profession

The College would like to remind all Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) about the importance of upholding professional standards and to reaffirm their duty to maintain a safe learning environment for all students.

“Members express their commitment to students’ well-being and learning through positive influence, professional judgment and empathy in practice,” state the Ethical Standards.

A teacher’s unique position of trust and authority must be handled with care. OCTs always represent the teaching profession, whether they are on duty or off duty.

The College will not tolerate acts of hatred, discrimination, or bias of any kind. Such behaviour can be considered grounds for findings of professional misconduct. OCTs are held to the highest ethical standards, and behaviour that undermines professional principles of equality, inclusivity and respect is unacceptable.

In an effort to support OCTs, we encourage all members to review the Professional Advisory on Electronic Communication and Social Media for guidance on appropriate online behaviour.

As professionals, it is our responsibility to always model behaviour that aligns with the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession  and the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession  and that promotes safe learning environments for students.

In addition to the above guidance, OCTs are also encouraged to refer to their employer’s policies related to online behaviour and discussing complex or controversial issues with students.

College exceeds last year’s total of internationally educated teacher certifications

The College certified nearly a third more internationally educated teachers (IETs) this year compared to last.

As of October 31, the College certified 1,134 new IETs in 2023, exceeding last year’s total of 832 IET certifications and 613 for 2021.

The responsibility to certify qualified individuals to teach in Ontario’s publicly-funded school system is not only key to the College’s mandate as Ontario’s teaching regulator, it’s also an important contribution to alleviating the province’s teacher shortage.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Program

Ninety-six per cent of Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) have successfully completed the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, which shows that OCTs take the safety and well-being of students very seriously.

All OCTs are required to to successfully complete the Program, per provincial legislation. The College is working toward full compliance.

If you did not complete the Program, it is shown as Incomplete on your teaching certificate and your public register profile.

The only way to update your status to Complete is to successfully complete the Program, which can be accessed by signing into your member account.

Additional information, including instructions if you have trouble signing into your account, is available on our FAQ page.

Unsure if you successfully completed the Program?

Sign into your member account and look for Programs on the left-side navigation pane.

You can also check your Program status on the public register – scroll down until you see Supplementary Information / Sexual Abuse Prevention Program.

2023 Annual Meeting of Members summary

The College’s virtual Annual Meeting of Members was held on the evening of Tuesday, October 24 and was open to all Ontario Certified Teachers, as well as applicants and members of the public.

Council Chair Diana Miles began the meeting by sharing details of the College’s new five-year strategic plan.

Speaking next, Registrar & CEO Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, provided an operational update focused on the College’s ongoing investments in improving certification and service timelines, including additional resources in Membership Services and IT.

Audit & Finance Subcommittee Chair Jonathan Davey provided an update on the College’s finances. The results of KPMG’s 2022 audit confirmed that the College’s budget was balanced without the need to access reserve funds, as had been the case in previous years.

Finally, all three speakers answered questions that were submitted by the audience. Topics included application advice for internationally educated teachers, finance and governance.

Convert your Temporary Certificate

OCTs who hold a Temporary Certificate and who have completed their teacher education program must convert their certificate into a General Certificate of Qualification before the Temporary Certificate program ends on December 31, 2023.

College celebrates outstanding teacher candidates

We are proud to announce the four recipients of the 2023 Ontario College of Teachers Scholarship Program. Every year, the College awards each recipient a $1,500 scholarship to support their journey towards becoming exemplary educators. These scholarships aim to recognize diverse achievements, reflecting the multifaceted qualities that make a great teacher:

2023 Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education
Sanya Cardoza, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

2023 Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience
b Wrauley, Nipissing University

2023 Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship
Tom Friesen, Wilfrid Laurier University

2023 Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship
Ana Kraljvecic, York University

Join us in celebrating these exceptional teacher candidates and their commitment to shaping the future of education in Ontario. Visit the College website to learn more about the scholarship program, including eligibility criteria.

Library services

OCTs, check out the Margaret Wilson Library’s list of the most popular books and eBooks of 2023.

Did you know the library offers a free shipping service for OCTs? You can also borrow and download eBooks for offline reading.

1. Log into your College account on oct.ca under Members.
2. On the left-side navigation channel, click Library.
3. On the right navigation channel of the library page, click on Most Popular Books and eBooks under Book Lists.

Still have questions? Visit the Margaret Wilson Library's FAQs or contact the library team at library@oct.ca or toll-free (Canada and U.S.A.) at 1.833.966.5588.

Holiday office closure

Please note that our offices will close for the holidays at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22. We will return to regular business hours at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2.