June 15th is the deadline to reactivate if you wish to remain on the Occasional Teacher list for the school year 2010-2011. The reactivation procedure has been outlined in documents emailed to all Bluewater Occasional teachers at the end of April. They have been re-posted in the ETFO OT Members folder on BEAM today, June 9th for the convenience of those who may not yet have reactivated.

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Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation What’s in the new regulation?
This new Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation (TQR), the first major revision
in more than three decades, updates teacher education to reflect Ontario’s
curriculum and the qualifications teachers need to be equipped for the
classroom. It also minimizes barriers for applicants, particularly those
from other parts of Canada and around the world.

Having to face discrimination and being denied basic human rights are unacceptable facts of life for transgendered people. That’s why the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is supporting a private member’s bill to amend the Human Rights Code to recognize “gender identity”.

The registration fee for three full days of learning, collaborating, and networking with colleagues is only $45 for most courses which includes excellent hand outs and a light nutritional morning break and lunch on all three days. Be sure to check out the courses that will be taking place in Collingwood, a location that is accessible for many Bluewater members.

This day after Earth Day, taking a minute to say that the Green Beat newsletters from the outdoor education centre, are archived and available for download from our ‘Resources to Download’ link.

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The most common question we’re asked is . . .

‘your AQs are so much cheaper than those offered by the universities . . . is this because the university courses are better?’

When we finish laughing this is our response . . .

“No. ETFO AQs are better than those offered by the universities! They are developed by teachers for teachers. Our AQs are accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers. When you successfully complete an ETFO AQ course it will be posted on your Certificate of Qualification.

ETFO AQs are only $ 650 – that’s $ 400 – $ 500 cheaper than what most of the universities are charging for a less teacher-friendly course. ETFO AQs are an inexpensive and quick way to assist you in moving up the salary grid.”

MAGIC…Meaningful Activities To Generate Interesting Classrooms!

Course to be facilitated by Bill Pike.

Elementary teachers have responded to the disaster that continues to unfold in Haiti. The Bluewater OT Local executive approved a donation of $250 towards Doctors Without Borders at their January meeting.

ETFO Media Release…full text in right-hand frame: see Provincial Office folder/Media Releases.

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This current newsletter can be accessed from the right-hand frame, in the folder Provincial Office. You’ll find an intro to our new Education Minister, Leona Dombrowski, get an update on our union’s support contributions for Haiti and find out about upcoming workshops.

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