Ever heard of OTF?  Ever wondered what it was?
Ontario Teachers' Federation does all sorts of things for you.  If you have 2 minutes, I think this video could answer many of your questions.

All I ask is a little bit more.  Whatever you are buying this holiday season, put a little bit more in your cart.  Just a little bit.  That little bit can mean a lot to someone who has nothing.  I am suggesting you fill a shoebox (or a nicer looking box even) with some simple things that would mean a whole lot.  Shampoo, deodorant, soap, fuzzy socks, a scarf, some chocolate, a pack of gum, a magazine, gloves, something sparkly.  For a woman seeking refuge at a shelter, the little things mean a lot.  If she has children with her, she's probably giving all she's got to keep them comfortable.  How about we give something to make HER comfortable.  The Front Room Gallery on Dunlop Street in Barrie is collecting boxes and will make sure they get delivered.  You don't have to take your box there though, there are shelters all over Simcoe County and (unfortunately) they aren't lacking clients.  It doesn't have to be a lot.  A little bit here and a little bit there will add up to something that will lift someone's spirits.  Thank YOU!

I borrow that title from an ETFO colleague but the sentiment is my own.  I am not now, nor have I ever been, a fan of the Education Quality and Accountability Office, EQAO.  These tests are by no means standardized and a colossal waste of money.  It takes over $38 million per year to administer and the bill is well over $420 million for the past 11 years.  When we hear there's not enough money for education and teachers and parents are funding the system, it makes me wonder why that money couldn't be better allocated.  EQAO scores are routinely used by real estate agents to sell houses.  No acknowledgement is given to socio economic factors.  The EQAO cloud looms all year long for those students who are affected.  That leads to a reduced emphasis on history, geography, phys-ed, the arts, technology.  Other provinces are doing away with their standardized testing.  Why do we still have it here in Ontario.  If you would like to share your own opinion of these 'not so' standardized tests, please complete this survey.  We can only hope that someone will listen and changes will be made and we can go back to trusting our teachers and their professional judgement.
Complete the survey here or by clicking on the green tshirt image.  You can leave any additional thoughts in the comment section of this blog and the conversation can continue there.

OTF (Ontario Teachers' Federation) should not be confused with OCT (Ontario College of Teachers).  OTF is the umbrella organization for all teachers working in publicly funded schools in Ontario.  They provide many services to members such as lobbying on our behalf, providing meaningful professional development and managing our pension.  They have created some short but very informative videos to explain their mandate and several other important groups in education in Ontario.  The videos are all found on the main page of this website, near the bottom.  They are also attached to this post. Feel free to watch them and then share them as well.  They are short and sweet and to the point.  Anything that helps you to become a better informed member is a good thing, in my humble opinion.  Happy viewing!

Confession time, I got a new phone.  Well I don't need to confess that really.  I did get it from Rogers and that's enough of an issue in itself but I don't need to confess that either.  The confession is that I went back on a corporate plan via MEMBER PERKS from The Ontario College of Teachers.  I feel guilty about it because it's from the College of Teachers.  I feel even more guilty about it after reading the report from OTF (Ontario Teachers' Federation) to the OCT Governing Council on October 1st, 2014.  You can read that report too in the latest edition of Update http://www.osstf.on.ca/en-CA/publications/update/2014-2015/42-03
OCT was created by Marvelous Mike Harris to address their perceived need for recertification of teachers.  The recertification requirement went away but the College didn't.  Teachers need a licence to teach in Ontario and the College helps with that.  They establish standards of practice and issue advisories from time to time.  They have accredited AQ and ABQ courses to ensure quality.  The College has a duty to serve and protect the public interest.  All of those seem to be appropriate things for a professional college to do.  They have gone beyond that though and are really marketing themselves. They produce an ad filled glossy magazine where amid other articles they do 'professional makeovers'.  They offer hotel discounts.  They offer restaurant discounts.  You can get a cheap mattress.  I'm not really sure how any of this makes me a better teacher. The most common search on the OCT website is discounts.  The thought is that offering these perks may help to maintain teachers who aren't keeping their certificates active.  I think maybe they should stick to what they are legislated to do.
I do feel very odd ordering a phone from the same organization that publishes Blue Pages.  I feel worse now that I am better informed.  I also feel bad about giving Rogers more business. I was going to write a blog just about the evils of the College of Teachers but went for the full disclosure option.  Please don't hold it against me.  The cheap person inside me won out  this time.