Final reminder: Math Proficiency Test certification requirement

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is responsible for developing, facilitating and evaluating the MPT.

You can register for the MPT at mathproficiencytest.ca. Registration for the second test window opened on January 8, 2025. The second test window will be open from February 3, 2025, to March 15, 2025.

More information about the MPT requirement and who it applies to is available on the College website.

College Council meeting updates

At the College Council meeting on December 12, Diana Miles announced that she would be stepping down from her role as Chair of Council, effective December 31, 2024. She intends to remain a member of Council and help facilitate a smooth transition for the new Chair.

Throughout Diana’s tenure as Chair, which began on February 1, 2022, she has remained a formidable advocate for student well-being, offering strong leadership and support for transformative change. She guided Council through major milestones, including the development of the College’s Strategic Plan and key legislative changes such as the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, to name a few. She also successfully navigated the transition to a governance model that is equally balanced between members of the profession and members of the public, and then went on to demonstrate that such a model can function effectively and operate smoothly.

Maria Vasanelli, OCT, began her role as the new Chair of Council on January 1, 2025. Maria is the director of education at the Superior North Catholic District School Board and has worked alongside Diana as a Council member since February 2022.

We are looking forward to working with Maria and gaining valuable insights from her vast experience in the education sector. Her expertise will no doubt be an asset to our work and ongoing initiatives.

Council also approved the College 2025 budget with an unchanged annual membership fee of $200.

Council meetings are livestreamed on the College’s YouTube channel, while meeting summaries and related documents are posted on our website. More information on how to watch a Council meeting is available online.

French terminology update fosters inclusion

The College is pleased to announce a terminology update that reflects our commitment to inclusivity, student protection, and public confidence in the teaching profession.

The French translation for Special Education Additional Qualification (AQ) courses has been updated from éducation de l’enfance en difficulté to éducation spécialisée. The English term, Special Education, remains unchanged.

The previous term, éducation de l’enfance en difficulté, did not accurately represent specialized strategies and approaches currently applied in special education. The updated term, éducation spécialisée, promotes inclusivity and accessibility, and is more respectful and representative of students with special education needs.

Furthermore, the new terminology aligns with language used by our partners in the education system and supports recent legislative updates to the Education Act and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act that were introduced by the Ministry of Education.

This change does not affect course content or OCT qualifications. The new title already appears on the certificates and public register profiles of OCTs who hold the qualification in French, and no action is required on their part. OCTs with the qualification in English are not affected.

Refreshing Professional Standards: shaping the future of teaching

The Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession have guided OCTs for more than 20 years, shaping their daily work and setting expectations for professionalism. To keep these standards relevant to today’s education landscape and help ensure they reflect the current needs of the profession, the College is engaged in a comprehensive review and refresh of these standards.

Last fall, the College conducted consultations with more than 500 participants, including OCTs, school leaders, education providers, students, as well as parents and guardians.

Their feedback highlighted key themes such as the need for clearer standards that uphold equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, along with more opportunities for OCTs to engage with the refreshed standards, emphasizing the importance of increased accountability across the profession.

This winter, we will analyze the input from consultations and focus groups to identify additional themes that are important to OCTs and the public.

The College thanks everyone who contributed to this important process as we work together to develop updated standards that will continue to inspire public trust in the profession.

Watch for updates in future editions of Your College and You.

Margaret Wilson Library services for OCTs

Since the conclusion of Canada Post’s strike on December 17, 2024, we have resumed normal shipping procedures. If you need assistance with returning a book or have a question about your due date, you can contact library@oct.ca for support.

1. Sign in to your online member account.
2. On the left navigation pane, click Library.
3. On the left navigation pane, click Online Magazines.

Explore the Margaret Wilson Library’s FAQs to learn tips and tricks to navigate the library’s online services.

Still have questions? Contact the library team at library@oct.ca or 1.833.966.5588.

Don’t forget to pay your 2025 annual membership fee

If your annual membership fee isn’t deducted through a payroll plan, please ensure you pay your $200 fee directly to the College. You can pay by:

1. Credit card via E-Services at oct.ca;
2. Web banking (by adding the Ontario College of Teachers as a payee);
3. Cheque or money order by mail.

The payment portal will be open until April 16, 2025.