Who can apply?
An OSSTF D17 Contract teacher or Continuing Education teacher with at least 330 hours within the past year and in good standing. 
Applications will be closing no later than June 13, 2025, or until all money has been allotted, which ever comes first.
Conferences
Application for Professional Development
  • Must be an Ontario conference.
  • Must NOT be a conference that is being subsidized by SCDSB or Ministry of Education or be a SCDSB in-service course.
  • Must be attending as a self-directed opportunity.
  • Maximum of $750.00 per conference
  • 1 release day
Release Time                    vs                    No Release Time
Release time is required when OSSTF must inform the board that you are not attending your workplace in order to attend a professional development opportunity regardless of whether you need supply coverage or not.
When Release Time is Needed
When Release Time is NOT needed
  • You are attending a conference during the school day.
  • Must apply 4 weeks prior to event to allow for a release letter to be sent to the Board and your Administrator from OSSTF
  • You are NOT attending a conference during the school day rather weeknights, holidays or weekends.
  • Must apply by the end of your conference.
  • Members may not know if their application is approved or denied prior to paying for, and attending, their professional development.
Reimbursement
Expense claims must be submitted within 30 days of the ending of the event or training.
This means that if you do not file a claim and submit all required paperwork within 30 days of the end of your conference/workshop/training, your file will be closed and you will not receive any funding.
  • Must provide all original receipts (Credit Card or Debit receipts are not accepted)
  • Reimbursement will be in the following order: conference fees, hotel, food expenses, and then mileage or transportation.
  • Possible expenses:
    • Conference/Workshop/Training registration. Proof of attendance is required.
    • Accommodations
    • Meal receipts (Max: Breakfast $15; lunch $20; Dinner $25), no alcohol.
    • Transportation (car rental, bus, train, or plane)
    • Mileage (a Google Map with your route) (Mileage is set at $0.64/km) to a maximum of $200.00
    • Parking fees