A Message from your Registrar

As 2024 comes to a close, Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Teachers, reflects on a year of progress, innovation, and collaboration.

We invite you to read Linda’s full message.

Upcoming deadline: Mathematics Proficiency Test certification requirement

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

Registration for the MPT is available at mathproficiencytest.ca. Please refer to that website for the latest information on registering for the MPT.

OCTs who hold a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) as of January 31, 2025, are not required to pass the MPT.

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

Important update for Ontario Certified Teachers who have not completed the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program

The College has a regulatory responsibility to ensure OCTs meet their professional obligations.

OCTs whose Sexual Abuse Prevention Program status is listed as Incomplete at 12:00 a.m. on July 2, 2025, will have their teaching certificate administratively suspended and they will no longer be eligible to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded school system.

To avoid this potential outcome, all OCTs who have not completed the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The Program is free of charge and can be accessed at any time by signing into your member account on oct.ca.

Individuals who are administratively suspended can restore their teaching certificate to good standing by successfully completing the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program and paying a reinstatement fee of $130.

Provincial legislation does not provide the College with authority to grant exemptions.

The College’s goal is to encourage compliance, not to suspend teaching certificates.

We understand that this is a sensitive topic for many people, which is why we partnered with subject matter experts at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) to develop and administer the Program.

C3P offers a variety of accommodations for individuals who may have difficulties completing the Program. These accommodations include:

• options for survivors of sexual abuse or individuals who are unable to use a computer or another internet-connected device
• taking the Program in written format so individuals do not have to view the videos if they find them triggering

Individuals who want to learn more about accommodation options are encouraged to contact C3P via their website.

For more information about the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, please refer to our FAQs.

Refreshing Professional Standards: Shaping the Future of Teaching

The College is engaging in a review of the Ethical Standards and the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession.

The standards articulate the goals and aspirations of the profession and convey a collective vision of professionalism that guides the daily practices of OCTs.

The last review was conducted almost 20 years ago, so we are responding to a need to refresh the standards to reflect the changing context of the teaching profession.

Earlier this fall, consultations began with OCTs, system partners, members of the public, and students from across the province.

In mid-November, we sent an email inviting you to offer input into the development of a refreshed set of professional standards.

We sincerely appreciate all OCTs who took the time to share your insights.

This winter, we will review the data gathered from this input, consultations, and focus groups to identify key themes that matter to OCTs and the public.

Please continue to check upcoming editions of Your College and You for future opportunities to contribute to the review and refresh of our professional standards.

Library Services

Our shipping service continued operations during the Canada Post strike. Please note all items with a due date during the strike period were automatically renewed. Please contact library@oct.ca for additional information.

The Margaret Wilson Library provides OCTs with free access to thousands of full-text scholarly and professional articles and publications.

Refer to the Accessing EBSCO Articles guide for easy, step-by-step navigation, or get in touch with the team via library@oct.ca or 437.880.3000 or Toll-Free (Canada and U.S.A.): 1.833.966.5588, for research support.

Holiday Office Closure

Please note that our offices will close for the holidays at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24. We will return to regular business hours at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 2.