On January 3, the Ontario College of Teachers will launch a mandatory sexual abuse prevention program for Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs).

The College has partnered with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, a national leader with more than 30 years of experience in advocating for and designing initiatives that promote youth safety, to facilitate the online program.

The program was developed with subject matter experts, including adult survivors of childhood abuse. It will provide OCTs with an updated understanding on how to identify when a student may be at risk and intervene when necessary. It will also help OCTs maintain healthy professional relationships with students that build a foundation for trusted support systems that are essential to disclosure and recovery.

All OCTs and applicants for certification are required to complete it. Completion or incompletion will be reflected in a notation that will appear on the public register beginning on January 3.

New legislation closes a gap in recognizing teacher professionalism. Like engineers and accountants, or P.Eng. and CPAs, teachers are highly educated and trained professionals who are uniquely equipped to work in classrooms. While trademarked in 2009, giving Ontario Certified Teachers the exclusive right to use the OCT title in law ensures that only those who are qualified and meet the standards for teaching in Ontario can use the OCT designation.

Learn more.

The College has issued a professional advisory for the province's 232,000 OCTs. The advisory addresses anti–Black racism both in and out of the classroom.

It also provides OCTs with background and information about anti–Black racism, including unconscious bias and systemic barriers.

The review process for the Additional Qualifications guidelines Addressing Anti–Black Racism to Change Pedagogy and Practice is now complete. The guidelines are scheduled to be available to course providers in February, and courses are expected to be available to teachers in the spring and summer sessions of 2022.

A total of 648 OCTs and members of the public filed completed applications for positions on the College's next Council, committees, and rosters.

This is a significant increase from the 69 eligible nominations received for the 2018 Council election.

This enthusiastic engagement in the College's application and appointment process demonstrates a keen interest on the part of OCTs and the public to lead and govern the profession in the public interest.

Council, committee, and roster members were appointed based on specified selection and eligibility criteria needed to do the job, and are reflective of the geographic, linguistic and diverse perspectives of Ontario.

The new Council, committee and roster members will be announced publicly by December 23, 2021 on the College's website. Terms of office will begin on January 1, 2022. Authority under the Act will transfer from the Transition Supervisory Officer (TSO) to Council and committees on February 1, 2022.

• Students can be more successful in school when parents and guardians actively participate and show interest in their homework. Find tips to get more engaged.
• The College regulates the teaching profession in Ontario by accrediting teacher education programs and certifying qualified teachers. Learn more about our role and the roles of others in our Who Does What in Education brochure.
• Check out these fun and educational apps for students of all ages in Apps Analysis and Tools of the Trade.