College of Teachers Appoints New Registrar and Acting Deputy Registrar
October 05 2006
October 5, 2006 (Toronto) – The Council of the Ontario College of Teachers is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian McGowan as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the teaching profession's self-governing body.
McGowan, who had been the College's Deputy Registrar since May 2003, takes up his new responsibilities effective immediately following the retirement last month of Doug Wilson.
"The College Council made this decision because of the great confidence we have in Brian McGowan's abilities and judgement," said Council Chair Marilyn Laframboise. "Council members have worked closely with Brian for more than three years and we believe that he will be a strong and effective Registrar and Chief Executive Officer."
Laframboise said Council's confidence in the appointment was bolstered by the fact that McGowan was originally appointed as Deputy Registrar after a rigorous and wide-ranging search. "We felt that Brian is the best choice to ensure stability and continuity as the College continues our challenging work."
Brian McGowan came to the College from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA), where he headed the Professional Development Department. Before that, he was a teacher and department head in the Dufferin-Peel Separate School Board.
From 1993 to 1995, McGowan was a member of the research and writing team for the Royal Commission on Learning, and was deeply involved in the development of the commission's call for the creation of the College of Teachers and its proposed mandate.
Upon his arrival at the College, McGowan led a province-wide consultation on issues surrounding the entry of new teachers into the profession. The College's 2003 report chronicled the serious challenges faced by newly hired teachers and recommended to the Minister of Education that the province establish and fund an induction program for beginning teachers.
He also took on responsibility for an external review of the College's dispute resolution program, which provides alternative ways of dealing with complaints against College members.
McGowan also led an 18-month-long consultation with a wide range of education partners, the public and College members that led to the College Council's approval last week of 66 recommendations for changes in the Teachers' Qualifications Regulation. The regulation, which has not undergone major updating for over 25 years, sets standards for pre-service and ongoing teacher education and qualifications.
"The College's commitment to working with all our partners in the education sector has led to a set of recommendations that have broad support within the education sector," said McGowan. "I look forward to continuing to build those partnerships around other initiatives within the College's mandate."
McGowan also played a leading role in the creation of Teach in Ontario, a partnership of the College, the Ontario Teachers' Federation and community organizations serving immigrants. Teach in Ontario provides training and assistance for internationally educated teachers who are seeking certification and jobs in Ontario.
"Teach in Ontario is a real success story for the hundreds of people we have helped through the certification process. It's also a model for the very productive way teachers' organizations, community organizations and the College can work collaboratively in areas of mutual concern and interest," said the new Registrar.
College members are currently voting online for the members of the fourth College Council, which will take office on November 9 th . New regulations governing the College require a majority of the Council to be classroom teachers.
"I'm very much looking forward to working with the new College Council," said McGowan. "My grounding as a classroom teacher has shaped all my work and I'm very honoured by the Council's confidence in me."
Brian McGowan's teaching qualifications are listed on the College web site along with those of all other certified Ontario teachers at Find a Teacher. His registration number is 243510.
College Council Appoints Acting Deputy Registrar
October 19, 2006 (Toronto) The Council of the Ontario College of Teachers has appointed Lise Roy-Kolbusz as Acting Deputy Registrar of the College. The appointment takes effect October 20. Council also approved a process to recruit a permanent Deputy Registrar.
Capping more than 30 years' experience in French and English Catholic education, Lise joined the College as Co-ordinator of French Language Services on September 1, 2005. She has been responsible for the College's French-language services, finance and budget development and external relations.
In the past year, Lise has been diligently developing an increasing foundation of College services for francophone members of the College community.
Prior to joining the College, Lise served as Superintendent of Education for French-language Catholic schools in Eastern Ontario. Between 1985 and 2001, she served as an administrator and teacher of French-language services with the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic District School Board.
She holds a Masters of Education degree from the University of Ottawa and a Program of Professional Education degree from Sudbury's Laurentian University.
The Ontario College of Teachers licenses, governs and regulates the profession of teaching in the public interest. It sets standards of practice and ethical standards, conducts disciplinary hearings and accredits teacher education programs affecting its 200,000 members in publicly funded schools and institutions across Ontario. The College is the largest self-regulatory body in Canada.
For more information:
Brian Jamieson 416-961-8800, ext. 655
Toll-free 1-888-534-2222, ext. 655
