Welcome to ETFO 2016-2017
Welcome to the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
ETFO is your professional and protective organization. Together we represent over 78,000 teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators (DECEs) and education workers employed in the public elementary schools of Ontario. You are an active member of ETFO provincially and you are also a member of one of the 76 ETFO locals across the province.
In welcoming you to ETFO, this book was developed to provide you with helpful information as you begin your teaching career and outline the work of your organization as well as the services available to you. ETFO strives to develop programs and services that both protect and enhance the working lives of members in these challenging times for education. We also work continuously to provide a welcoming environment that celebrates the diversity of our members and the students in our care. In addition to our internal work in support of members, ETFO reaches out to the broader community to foster a climate of social justice in this province and beyond.
Workplace Protection + Professional Development + Social Activism = ETFO
ETFO’s Statement and Definition of Equity:
It is the goal of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario to work with others to create schools, communities and a society free from all forms of individual and systemic discrimination. To further this goal, ETFO defines equity as fairness achieved through proactive measures which result in equality, promote diversity, foster respect and dignity for all.
Published by the
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
136 Isabella Street
Toronto ON M4Y 0B5
Copyright @ 2016 by Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Design by thepublicstudio.ca.
Contents
Welcome to the Elementary
Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Welcome to Teaching! 10
ETFO Human Rights Statement 10
All About ETFO
The Objects and Priorities of ETFO 11
ETFO’s Place in the World of Education 12
ETFO: At the Provincial Level 13
ETFO: At the Local Level 16
You, the New Member
Beginning Occasional Teachers 18
Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE)
Are Members of ETFO 19
ETFO Member Information 20
ETFO Stewards 21
Getting Involved – Locally and Provincially 21
Your Local/School/Classroom/Board Information 24
Your Collective Agreement 26
Understanding Your Professional Judgement 27
Your Union Fees 28
ETFO Advisories
Current Advisories to Members 30
ETFO New Member Supports
New Members Section of the ETFO Website 30
Online Resources for Occasional Teachers 31
Survive and Thrive 31
ETFO Online AQ Courses 31
ETFO Blogs and Websites 32
ETFO Publications 33
First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Resources and Programs 35
ETFO Workshops for New Members 38
Edvantage 38
Tips for New Members Re: Electronic Communication and Social Media
Practicing Caution —
Guidelines for Electronic Communications 40
Defamatory Websites and Social Networking Pages 42
The Hidden Dangers of Electronic Communications 44
Electronic Communication and Social Media 47
Videotaping in the Classroom 48
Other Tips for New Members
Classroom Advice —
The Individual Education Plan (IEP) – What You Need to Know 52
Classroom Management 54
Elementary Progress Report Card and
Elementary Provincial Report Card Continued Implementation Update 56
EQAO Testing 58
Getting Started Checklists 61
Occasional Teaching – Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) 63
Parent/Guardian Communication 68
Preparing for an Occasional Teacher 70
School Advice —
New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) 71
Maintaining Professional Relationships
Among All Educators 73
Positive School Team 75
Building and Maintaining Positive Professional
Full-Day Kindergarten Team Relationships 76
Professional Advice —
Allegations Involving CAS and/or Police – What to do if it happens to you 73
Balancing Career and Personal Life 81
A Member’s Duty to Report under the
Child and Family Services Act 83
Professional Boundaries 84
Professionalism and Ethics 91
Sabrina’s Law – An Act to Protect Anaphylactic
Pupils 93
Tutoring and Conflict of Interest Guidelines
for Members 96
Volunteering 97
PRS Matters Bulletins: Advice for Members 100
ETFO Membership:
Rights and Responsibilities
Rights and Privileges of Membership
(Article V ETFO Constitution) 103
Code of Professional Conduct
(Article VI ETFO Constitution) 104
Disciplinary Procedures
(Article VII ETFO Constitution) 106
ETFO:
The Provincial Organization
ETFO on the Web 108
The Annual Meeting 109
Representative Council 109
Standing Committees 109
Awards 110
ETFO and the Labour Movement 111
ETFO Provincial: Services Areas
Equity and Women’s Services (EWS) 112
Communications and Political Action (CPA) 113
Professional Learning/Curriculum Services (PL/CS) 115
Professional Relations Services (PRS) 116
Collective Bargaining 118
ETFO Leadership Development 118
Who’s Who in Education ...... 119
Other Important Information
for New Members
Duties of Teachers 123
Criminal Allegations 126
Child Abuse 126
Parent Concerns 127
The Ontario Human Rights Code 127
Long-term Disability 129
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board 129
Occupational Health and Safety 130
Pensions 130
Employment Insurance 131
Employment Insurance – Maternity and Parental Benefits 132
A Member’s Guide to Pregnancy and
Parental Leave 132
ln Conclusion 133
Appendix
A Teacher’s Pledge 136
Glossary of Acronyms used in Education 138
136 Isabella Street, Toronto ON M4Y 0B5
Telephone 416-962-3836 Toll-free 1-888-838-3836 Fax 416-642-2424
Website: www.etfo.ca
Welcome to the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario!
With over 78,000 members, ETFO is the largest teachers’ union in Canada. We are a unique organization representing teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators (DECEs) and education support staff in the elementary public schools of Ontario. When you accepted your position with your school board and became an ETFO member, you became part of our collective strength, enthusiasm and commitment to each other and to our profession.
As a member of ETFO provincially, you also became a member of your ETFO local – one of 76 ETFO locals in the province. The foremost goal of both ETFO provincial and your ETFO local is to serve the needs of our members.
Your ETFO colleagues are dedicated and highly principled professionals. They are deeply committed to the children in their care. They recognize that educators’ working conditions affect students’ learning conditions. They understand the importance of working toward a just and equitable society for their students, for themselves and for all Ontarians. ETFO’s resources, both human and financial, are directed to providing programs that reflect our members’ values and professionalism.
ETFO strives to serve our members in a number of ways. As a professional organization, ETFO delivers a wide range of personal and professional development as well as leadership and training opportunities. As a union, ETFO offers collective strength through our bargaining and advocacy efforts. As a federation, ETFO provides a welcoming environment that celebrates the diversity and encourages the participation of all of our members.
We developed this book to show you some of the resources, services and opportunities available to you as a member of ETFO.
You may remember that in 2012 and 2013, ETFO members led the way during the difficult fight against Bill 115. Bill 115 was one of the most regressive pieces of anti-collective bargaining legislation ever seen in Canada. You should feel great pride in working alongside colleagues who, without hesitation, vigorously defended democratic rights for all working people in Ontario – including the students who will need those rights when they enter the workforce in the future.
ETFO, along with other unions, filed a court challenge regarding Bill 115. On April 20, 2016, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in our favour, confirming that Bill 115 violated our members’ right to free and fair collective bargaining as protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This decision is a vindication for ETFO members. Charter rights are for everyone, and they can’t be legislated away with the stroke of a pen.
In November and December 2015, we completed a long round of collective bargaining. During that round, we made a historic gain. For the first time in Ontario, the concept of professional judgement is enshrined in ETFO’s teacher and occasional teacher collective agreements. That means when you assess and evaluate your students all the knowledge, skill and judgement you use during that process must be respected by boards and school administrators.
There are many fulfilling opportunities you will experience as an educator. But there will also be challenges. Remember – you are never alone. No matter where you work in the province, ETFO is as close as your telephone or internet connection to help you with those challenges.
We are glad you have joined us. Welcome to ETFO!
Sam Hammond, President, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Welcome
When you chose teaching as a career, you became part of a larger community of dedicated professionals committed to making a difference.
Whether you are a teacher, an OT, a DECE or an ESP or PSP, you will find the first few years on the job exciting, exhilarating, challenging and exhausting all at the same time. In the end, we trust you will find teaching a rewarding career choice.
The first year can be confusing as you are bombarded with information. What do you need to know? Is this important? Where can I find the right answers? Sometimes you don’t even know what questions to ask. To assist you, ETFO has developed this resource to help you find your way through the maze of information.
Good luck. Welcome to your new profession and welcome to ETFO.
Membership in ETFO
When you signed on as an elementary teacher, an early childhood educator or an education worker in your board you became a member of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. ETFO is your protective and professional organization. ETFO is your union.
ETFO Human Rights Statement
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is committed to:
• Providing an environment for members that is free from harassment and discrimination at all provincial and local Federation sponsored activities;
• Fostering the goodwill and trust necessary to protect the rights of all individuals within the organization;
• Neither tolerating nor condoning behavior that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of individuals or the integrity of relationships; and
• Promoting mutual respect, understanding and co-operation as the basis of interaction among all members.
Harassment and discrimination on the basis of a prohibited ground are violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code and are illegal. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code, at provincial or local Federation sponsored activities.
ETFO FNMI Statement
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario acknowledges and thanks the First Peoples of this territory and other Indigenous peoples for sharing this land in order for us to continue our work today.
All About ETFO
The Objects and Priorities of ETFO
Every organization has objectives that define its purpose and guide its work. The objects of ETFO are contained in the Constitution (Article Ill).
The objects of the Federation
shall be:
3.1
to regulate relations between employees and employer, including but not limited to securing and maintaining through collective bargaining, the best possible terms and conditions of employment;
3.2
to advance the cause of education and the status of teachers and educational workers;
3.3
to promote a high standard of professional ethics and a high standard of professional competence;
3.4
to foster a climate of social justice in Ontario and continue a leadership role in such areas as antipoverty, non-violence and equity;
3.5
to promote and protect the interests of all members of the Federation and the students in their care;
3.6
to co-operate with other organizations, in Ontario, Canada and elsewhere, having the same or like objects; and
3.7
to promote and defend the health and safety of members in the workplace.
While the programs and services of ETFO are designed with these objects in mind, each year at the Annual Meeting the membership sets the priorities of ETFO for the upcoming school year.
The Priorities of ETFO for 2015-2016
• To protect the collective bargaining rights of all members.
• To defend publicly-funded public education.
• To serve the needs of the membership.
• To provide for the professional development of members.
• To promote social justice in the areas of peace, anti-poverty, non-violence and equity.
• To support international assistance and co-operation.
• To promote the care and protection of the environment.
• To actively engage members in the Federation.
• To promote and protect the health and safety of members, both physically and psychologically.
ETFO’s Place in the World of Education
· Education International
About 30 million members
401 teacher organizations in 171 countries
· Canadian Teachers’ Federation
approx. 231,000 members
· Ontario Teachers’ Federation
approx. 160,000 members
o l’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens
approx. 10,000 members
o Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Fédération des enseignantes et des enseignants de l’élémentaire de l’Ontario
over 78,000 members
o Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association
approx. 45,000 members
o Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
approx. 60,000 members
ETFO— At the Provincial Level
The Ontario Teachers’ Federation
ETFO is one of four affiliates that make up the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF). The other three are l’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF). ETFO has representation on the OTF Board of Governors and the OTF Executive. OTF is the official voice of all teachers in Ontario in dealings with the Ministry of Education on the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
The ETFO Executive
The Executive at the provincial level consists of 14 members: the president; the first vice-president; two vice-presidents, one position open to women only; the ETFO representative to the Ontario Teachers’ Federation; and additional executive members as necessary to complete an executive of 14. Four of these additional positions are open to women only. The members of the Executive are elected to two-year terms by the delegates to the Annual Meeting.