There’s no doubt that teachers play a significant role in the lives of students. From a young age, I recognized the time, dedication and work teachers put into their students and their classes. Not only do teachers educate, but they also help students flourish and get prepared for the world outside of the classroom.
I have to say that the teachers in my life have had a tremendous impact. One in particular (my grade 5 English teacher), was the one who inspired me to eventually go on to teach English. Though I went the route of teaching in private language schools, it was Ms. Lincoln, my grade 5 teacher who fostered the love of learning and sparked my passion for Literature and Language Arts.
Now that I’m a parent, I’m heavily invested in my child’s education. I am pleased that thus far we have had an excellent experience with our daughter’s teachers. It’s quite apparent that her teachers take great care to ensure my child’s learning needs are met. The lines of communication are always open and we work together to help my child with developing her skills.
As parents, our children’s best interests are our priority. It’s important to play an active role in our children’s schooling. This means doing work with them at home, supporting their teachers and school staff, as well as making sure we know that we have access to resources if we need them.
Did you know Ontario College of Teachers offers various resources available to parents?
Parents can use Find a Teacher to find information on their children’s teachers. This is the College’s public register and it lists everyone who has been certified to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded schools. This information is made available as part of the College bylaws.
The records include:
- The teacher’s qualifications
- Date of initial certification
- Status with the College
- Disciplinary history (if applicable)
The College does not provide teachers’ addresses, contact information or employment history and deceased teachers are not searchable.
For parents
If you are interested in learning more about teacher qualifications, the College has services to help find information. Sign up for The Standard – the College’s FREE electronic newsletter and you can learn about how the College works to set and ensure high standards in education. You can see reports on trends in education and also learn about changes in education legislation.
For parents interested in how teachers are certified, Ontario College of Teachers shares the information on their website.
All teachers who wish to teach in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary or secondary schools must be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers, and prospective teachers must first complete a teacher education program in Ontario and then apply to be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers.
To find out more about the free resources the Ontario College of Teachers offers parents, you can visit oct.ca.
You can also find Ontario College of Teachers on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Twitter – @OCT_OEEO
Facebook – facebook.com/OntarioTeachers
YouTube (English and French) – youtube.com/user/OCTvideoOEEO
Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post, however all thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
This is great to know! I had no idea any of this existed. Great to know we can access info about teachers. It’s a good thing! We really think our kids’ teachers are doing a great job.
The Ontario College of Teachers sounds like a great organization. Do not be fooled. Google”jacque tremblay toronto star” and “bad teachers toronto star” If you read their year end report they don’t even bother investigating more than 75 % of their complaints against the teachers that harm children… They spend far more money in public relations than they do investigating abuse in our schools.
I didn’t know that this tool was available. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. Victoria! It’s great to know that parents can use this resource!
that’s an amazing resource to have!
It sure is! Most parents I have spoken with were unaware of this!
I had lots of amazing teachers when I went to school. Teaching is not an easy jobs and does require lots of dedication. Never knew you could go online and check your child’s teacher out.
So true, Judy! I too had many incredible teachers who have helped shape the person I am today. I’m thankful to all the teachers I’ve had in my life. I also know that my own daughter’s teachers are fabulous and dedicated to making sure students acquire the tools they need to learn and cultivate their curiosity and creativity.
I was in love with my grade 8 teacher Mr Turner. sighhhhhhhh
Ha! Chandra Christine, that is too funny 🙂