PT.B.U. NEW MEMBER'S HANDBOOK - OSSTF District 25 ...
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PT.B.U.
P l a n t S u p p o r t S t a f f B a D i s t r i c t 2 5 – T e a c h e r s’ B a r g a i n i n g U n i t
NEW
MEMBER'S
HANDBOOK
District 25
T.B.U.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome 1 President’s Message 2 Time Release Officer’s and TBU Executive Info. 3 District Office Information and Location 4 OSSTF Structure 5 New Teachers’ Induction Program (NTIP) 14 Branch Executive Descriptions 6 Annual Learning Plan (ALP) 14 Teachers’ Council 7 Professional Development 15 Email & Website Information 7 Edvantage 16 Pay Information 7 Educators Financial Group 16-17 How Does Your Union Work? 8 OCDSB Website – Employee Inquiry 18 What Benefits do I get from Belonging to OSSTF 8 Note of Solidarity 19 Certification Rating Statement Information 9-10 Benefits 11 Posaction Plus Program 12 Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 12 Your Collective Agreement 13 What is a Grievance? 13
OSSTF - YOUR FEDERATION
Welcome! We are OSSTF, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’
Federation, and we are pleased to have you as a new member in District
25, Ottawa-Carleton.
Ontario legislation requires that all teachers become members of a
teachers’ federation. It further stipulates that all teachers in a public
secondary school are members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’
Federation (OSSTF). In Ottawa-Carleton, all unionized support staff have
voted to join OSSTF and our district has seven Bargaining Units.
The strength of OSSTF is in its membership. What members voluntarily do
on behalf of our Federation and for the cause of public education is what
makes OSSTF the well-respected, highly influential and fiercely proud
organization it is today. As our pledge states:
I solemnly dedicate myself to promote and advance the cause of
education.
I will strive to achieve and maintain the highest degree of professional
competence and will always uphold the honour, dignity, and ethical
standards of my profession.
I pledge my loyalty and support to the Ontario Secondary School
Teachers’ Federation and will comply with the Constitution, Bylaws,
policies and established practices which govern its members.
OSSTF is an organization of teachers and education workers. It is your
union, your professional organization, and your advocate!
The agreements we negotiate are called collective agreements, because
we’re working on behalf of all members. Hence our motto:
District 25
LET US NOT TAKE THOUGHT FOR OUR SEPARATE INTERESTS,
BUT LET US HELP ONE ANOTHER T.B.U.
TBU - District 25 [1]
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the Teachers’ Unit of OSSTF District 25, Ottawa-Carleton!
Provincially, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation represents over 60,000 teachers and
educational workers. Since 1920, when OSSTF fought for equal pay for women and men teachers who
had the same qualifications, through to more recent fights to maintain acceptable working conditions and
to protect collective bargaining rights, the federation has worked hard to protect teachers. In April, 2016,
Superior Court Justice Lederer upheld the Charter Challenge against Bill 115, launched by OSSTF and
other Ontario education unions. This legal victory is very important in sending a clear message to current
and future governments that collective bargaining is a constitutional right.
Locally, in Ottawa-Carleton, four teachers work on a full-time basis on your behalf. Many more represent
you on our Unit Executive, at Teachers’ Council, in school branches, and on a variety of committees. Their
volunteer work is the basis of OSSTF’s success. One of the first things you need to do now that you’ve
been hired, is to say hi to your Branch President. He or she is your first contact in terms of assistance
from the federation or involvement in its activities.
The primary objective of OSSTF is to protect members, as a group and individually. Additionally, as Harvey
Bischof, OSSTF/FEESO’s Provincial President says, “by advancing the interests of our members, we have
always advanced the quality of education”. A collective agreement determining salary, benefits, and
working conditions is negotiated. The conditions are vigilantly defended. As a result of the Contract
Extension, our current Collective Agreement expires on August 31, 2019. The basis of this agreement can
be found in on-line at www.d25.osstf.ca under the Teachers’ Unit pull down menu. We send bargaining
updates to members’ private email addresses as they become available. Please email
evelyn.macdonald@d25.osstf.ca to share your private email address so that it can be added to our data
base. We anticipate that there will be important information to share in the coming weeks and months.
You will have received your OSSTF membership number and log-on password for the OSSTF Provincial
Web-site member’s area. Please consult the web-site frequently for updated information.
OSSTF is a democracy and therefore, the members, including you, elect officers, determine policy, and
establish the budget. Please read provincial publications including “Update” and local publications such
as “The OC”, visit the website at www.d25.osstf.ca, attend branch meetings and vote at the Annual
General Meeting in May. Professional development, political action, and the promotion of public education
are also priorities. Make your voice heard by joining one of our committees or participating in federation
activities. Your involvement also gives you the chance to meet with colleagues from other schools and
provides opportunities for leadership.
I look forward to working with you in the upcoming year. Best of luck in your new job!
Yours in Federation,
Cathy Bailey
TBU - District 25 [2]
Time Release Officers
The Constitution of the Teachers’ Bargaining Unit provides for the release of 4 teachers from their teaching
duties who work full-time on behalf of members. These elected Time Release Officers (TROs) work out of the
District 25 office at 9 Corvus Court and can be reached by phone (613-729-7211) or by email (see below).
We encourage all OSSTF members to use their personal email accounts and our OSSTF accounts if they have
questions or concerns which would be inappropriate to discuss on the school board's e-mail system, GEM.
Your Time Release Officers:
Cathy Bailey member protection, union-employer
President communications, offence declarations,
613-729-7211 ext 104 branch concerns, member/member issues,
cathy.bailey@d25.osstf.ca performance appraisals, etc.
John Ross negotiations and Collective Agreement
Chief Negotiator disputes including assignment of duties,
613-729-7211 ext 105 timetable, salary, leaves, grievances, in-
john.ross@d25.osstf.ca school staffing committees.
Evan Cooper benefits, LTD, pensions, health & safety,
Membership Services Officer WSIB, sick leave/return to work issues, duty
613-729-7211 ext 103 to accommodate, etc.
evan.cooper@d25.osstf.ca
Les Robinson member protection, professional
Professional Services Officer development – conference funding
613-729-7211 ext 102 applications, performance appraisals, AER
les.robinson@d25.osstf.ca issues, certification issues, NTIP, member
communications.
YOUR OTHER TBU EXECUTIVE
MEMBERS (reachable through GEM)
Remember:
When you experience
Dave Belcher – Political Action Officer – West Carleton S.S difficulties at work, or
Leah Dobbin – Secretary – John McCrae S.S. simply need someone
Karen Vandewint – Treasurer – Brookfield H.S. to turn to, your union is
Stephanie Kirkey – Provincial Councillor – Norman Johnston Alt. there for you.
Janice Smith – Communications Officer – Adult H.S.
Duane Faris – Executive Officer - OTSS
TBU - District 25 [3]
DISTRICT OFFICE
9 Corvus Court, Nepean, ON K2E 7Z4
Phone: 613-729-7211 * Fax: 613-729-8565
www.osstf25.on.ca
To make an appointment with your District 25 – TBU Time Release Officers please call
613-729-7211. If you’re not sure who exactly you need to speak to, please ask the
receptionist and she will direct your call.
School Year Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
TBU - District 25 [4]
OSSTF STRUCTURE
TEACHERS’
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS BARGAINING UNIT PLANT SUPPORT
AND CHILD CARE SERVICES (TBU) SERVICES UNIT
(PECCS) (PSSU)
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT OCCASIONAL TEACHERS'
PROFESSIONALS UNIT District 25 BARGAINING UNIT
(ESP) BARGAINING UNITS (OTBU)
STUDENT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL STUDENT
PROFESSIONALS UNIT SERVICES PERSONNEL
(SSP) (PSSP)
DISTRICT 25
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PROVINCIAL
(Consists of all Bargaining Unit Presidents, District COUNCILLOR
Treasurer, Provincial Councillor and Non-Voting Chairs of
Standing Committees) DISTRICT
TREASURER
The District Members
(AMDA)
WHO TO CALL IN A PROFESSIONAL EMERGENCY
If you are called to a meeting with school administration in order to discuss your job performance, including any action
that may lead to discipline, you have the right to Federation representation. Contact your branch president and / or
Cathy Bailey at 729-7211 before attending the meeting. If Cathy is unavailable and you need advice immediately,
then you should ask to speak to John Ross, Evan Cooper, or Les Robinson. If all of the Unit officers are unavailable
then you should call the OSSTF Provincial Office in Toronto at 1-800-267-7867 and ask to speak to Kerry
Houlahan. Whether you just need a few words of advice or to have a lawyer retained to represent you, you will receive
the necessary support.
What happens when you call this office…
if you don’t know which of the 4 TROs you should be speaking to, ask the receptionist for direction or just pick
one. If we need to re-direct you, we will.
you will be assured complete confidentiality.
REMEMBER, we are here to protect your rights. Where appropriate, our first step is always to provide advice on
how the member can handle the situation him/herself. If that is not possible, we will provide other options and
make a decision about how to proceed in consultation with the member.
Do not admit to having done anything improper in connection with your job or
profession until and unless you have consulted with OSSTF.
TBU - District 25 [5]
BRANCH EXECUTIVE descriptions
Each Branch has an Executive composed of:
President - Key OSSTF contact for most members. Attends Teachers'
Council, chairs executive / branch meetings in the school, represents
teachers in disciplinary meetings with principal, directs members in crisis to
District or Provincial Office for further assistance, forwards teacher concerns
to Council, promotes federation activities within membership, sits on In
School Staffing Committee, answers questions of members regarding
collective agreement. . . . plus lots more ! Benefits greatly from the support
of a functioning branch executive.
Secretary - Takes minutes of meetings as necessary. In some schools,
stuffs mailboxes, monitors votes, arranges goodies for meetings, circulates
petitions, etc.
Treasurer - Maintains branch bank account, writes cheques as needed.
Collective Bargaining Committee Rep. - Attends CBC meetings, communicates with Chief Negotiator regarding
contract maintenance, answers questions of members regarding collective agreement, assists in developing the
negotiations brief in negotiating years.
Benefits Committee Rep. - Attends Benefits meetings, co-ordinates Long Term Disability enrollment in the school, acts
as contact person regarding benefits in the branch
School Council Rep. - Sits as teacher representative on the school (parents') council. Must be elected at a branch
meeting.
Teachers' Council Rep. - Attends the Teachers' Council meeting (approx. 9 times / year) 4:30 - 7:30 meetings. Assists
president in communicating information from the meeting to branch members
Branch Executives may also include:
Professional Development Committee Rep. - Attends bargaining unit PD committee on behalf of the branch, distributes
information re. Board-wide PD day, OSSTF PD / resources book etc. Organizes PD events in the branch.
Political Action Committee Rep. - Attends PAC meetings, distributes information to branch members re. PAC, co-
ordinates election readiness and other PAC activities in the branch.
Excellence in Education Committee Rep. - Reps will be asked to participate in judging the Student Achievement
Awards in honour of Marion Drysdale and to promote the Awards and Retirement Celebration.
Status of Women Committee Rep. – Attends committee meetings and assists in communicating about women’s issues
and initiatives.
Communications Committee Rep. – Attends committee meetings and can provide input to “The OC”, and the district
Facebook Page and website.
Member Engagement Committee Rep. - Might be a teacher with less than 10 years of teaching experience OR might be
a teacher mentor at the school, to plan activities or events for newer members and those members who are not yet
engaged with the Union.
Human Rights Rep. – Attends committee meetings and assists in promoting awareness of OSSTF policies as they relate
to Human Rights.
TBU - District 25 [6]
TEACHERS’ COUNCIL
Teachers’ Council is the governing body of the Teachers’ Unit of District 25 between annual general meetings. It consists
of representatives from every school branch, and meets approximately once a month. Each school is represented by the
Branch President and a Teacher Council Representative.
If you have a concern, question, or issue that should be raised with the whole bargaining unit, ask your Branch
President/Contact at your school or worksite to pose it at the next Council meeting.
EMAIL & WEBSITES
Updated information and access to forms and links are posted on our District website: www.d25.osstf.ca. TBU keeps
you informed through our Newsletter the “OC” and through social media.
Members are encouraged to visit our Provincial website on a regular basis: www.osstf.on.ca.
“GEM” seems to make the world go round in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Your OSSTF Branch President may
post items in your school group folder. At the same time, there are several OSSTF group folders where information will
be posted and this should be checked regularly.
It is important to remember that “GEM” is provided and managed by the school board; therefore you may be disciplined
for violating Board guidelines. Discretion when using e-mail is the number one rule - both for private e-mails and when
making use of the groups. Don’t put anything on “GEM” that you would not want someone else to read.
To discuss confidential issues with a federation officer, use a non-employer email account to contact us.
cathy.bailey@d25.osstf.ca, john.ross@d25.osstf.ca, evan.cooper@d25.osstf.ca, les.robinson@d25.osstf.ca
PAY
Your pay stub is available to be viewed electronically on the OCDSB website:www.ocdsb.ca and can be found in the
Staff pull-down in the Employee inquiry section. It is important for regular day school members to remember that you
are paid on a per diem basis that has been negotiated and calculated through your collective agreement. Although you
receive an annual salary, your pay is based upon 194 days of employment with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Please keep in mind that although you may receive a pay cheque over a holiday period. YOU ARE NOT PAID FOR
CHRISTMAS, MARCH BREAK, EASTER OR SUMMER HOLIDAYS. For Continuing Education and Home Instruction
members, your pay details can be found under L39.06 and L40.03 respectively.
TBU - District 25 [7]How Does Your Union Work?
We take great pride in the union work we do. District 25 – TBU is run by members for the members. It is a
democratic organization. The Executive, which makes the day-to-day decisions, is elected through a
membership vote normally held in May.
The Executive consist of a ten-member Executive Committee (President, Chief Negotiator, Membership Services
Officer, Professional Services Officer, Political Action Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Officer,
Executive Officer and Provincial Councillor.
Major decisions, such as whether to accept a union contract, called a Collective Agreement, are made by a vote
of the membership.
What benefits do I get from belonging to OSSTF?
Workload/Working Conditions: Through negotiations, we have a say in determining how many students we teach in a period
or in a day, how long our lunch hour is, how many supervisions we do a week – without a union, the employer (the Board or
even your principal) could change these arbitrarily and impose working conditions on a whim. The class size and staffing
language teachers have in Ottawa-Carleton is admired and sought after by other OSSTF Districts.
Job security: Seniority protection, protection from being fired without reason, and contract language dealing with staffing
help us to keep our jobs and to ensure that layoffs are done fairly.
Improved Wages: Unionized workers generally earn more than non-union employees performing similar work. In 1998, the
average hourly wage in Canada for unionized employees was 29.8% higher (StatsCan). Wages can be negotiated and set out
in a contract, ensuring everyone is paid equally.
Benefits and Pension Plans: Dental care, prescription coverage, pregnancy and parental leave plans, sick and compassionate
leaves, paramedical coverage…..Most of these don’t exist in non-unionized workplaces, or are not nearly as generous.
Workplace Democracy: An individual employee has little influence over what happens at the workplace, and has little or no
say in the decisions the employer makes. Belonging to a union gives you rights and power that you do not have as an
individual. Ultimately, we all get to vote on the acceptance or rejection of any contract. You also are entitled to vote for your
OSSTF representatives – or you can become one yourself!
Political Power: OSSTF is widely recognized as a promoter and defender of public education in Ontario. Our
provincial leadership (taking direction from the membership) is taken seriously by the Minister of Education and
other education stakeholders, and our local leaders also help to shape local decisions regarding public education.
In fact, the education platform we unveiled prior to the last provincial election, the Student Success Plan, was
largely adopted by both the NDP and the Liberals. OSSTF lobbies the provincial government on our behalf
regarding legislation (Safe Schools Act), policies (EQAO and standardized testing), and pensions (OMERS and TPP).
Other services provided by your union:
Educational Services: The staff and members in this department have developed many valuable resources for teachers and
education workers: the Common Threads binders; Learning Labour and School Law resource books, among others; and the
Crisis Awareness Learning Modules (CALM), Students/Staff at Risk (STAR), and Anti-Bullying workshops. OSSTF provides
members with funding for professional development and also presents awards to members and non-members for
educational excellence and for service to students and colleagues.
Certification: This department is likely the first one you deal with in the Federation, as it determines your salary placement.
Any changes to categories and to criteria are decided democratically by members at AMPA, the Annual Meeting of Provincial
Assembly.
TBU - District 25 [8]All teachers, upon signing a contract, are responsible for ensuring that they are placed in the proper salary grid
category. New teachers with previous teaching or related experience must ensure that the Board is aware of
the specifics within 90 days and that prior experience is properly credited.
All teachers must provide the Board with an OSSTF Certification Rating Statement.
Failure to complete the proper paperwork, by the deadlines, can result in forfeiting thousands of dollars! There
are several large bureaucracies involved but the payoff for following all the steps is definitely worth the effort.
Steps regarding Certification Rating Statement
1) Obtain an application form from the Provincial website, www.osstf.on.ca. Click on the “services” tab and
select “Certification” in the drop down menu for the link to the forms.
2) Provide the Board’s Human Resources Department with your Certification Rating Statement and the
accompanying letter. Get proof of delivery (ie. a signature for hand delivery,
confirmation from the fax machine, an email message). The deadline for
receipt of the rating statement for retroactive pay to September 1 is December
31. The deadline for retroactive pay to
January 1 is March 31. Check your pay
stub to ensure the correct changes are made.
3) Make a plan, using the letter attached to your rating certificate, for the
best way for you to get to category 4, the highest pay category.
Before you take a course for the purposes of changing categories,
get prior written approval from the OSSTF Certification Department.
After the course, follow all the steps again!
NOTE: Faculty of Education Students in Ontario normally submit an application for appraisal before they
graduate. Remaining documents must be submitted once you have a job in order to get an actual rating
statement.
OSSTF Certification Department
1-800-267-7867
Calls Answered:
Mon. – Fri. 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. and
Summer Hours:
Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 – 12:30 p.m.
TBU - District 25 [9]TBU - District 25 [10]
BENEFITS
As a member of the OSSTF Teachers’ Bargaining Unit, you are entitled to participate in a number of benefit
programs, including:
• Health Insurance • Dental Care
• Group Life Insurance • Vision Care
• Long Term Disability
Check the benefit booklet to learn more about how
you’re covered.
If you have any question concerning coverage or problems in dealing with Manulife, please contact OTIP at
1-866-783-6847. Your OSSTF benefits representative at your school, or Evan Cooper, the Membership Services Officer,
will provide federation support if you encounter difficulties.
Members may also access an OSSTF sponsored program (POSACTION) or (EFAP)a Board-sponsored Employee and Family
Assistance Programme if they experience difficulties of a personal, financial, or psychological nature. See the next page
for more information.
You also have a Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD). This plan is owned and operated by OSSTF. Please contact Evan
Cooper, Membership Services Officer at the District Office if you have questions or concerns
about the plan. Do not contact
the Board regarding LTD. This plan is a compulsory condition of employment and premiums are deducted on your behalf.
Termination of coverage can only occur when qualified members have submitted the necessary information to OTIP well in
advance of their date of eligibility. Contact the District Office for details
LEAVE
Your Collective Agreement also sets out what leave you are entitled to, how long it may be, whether it is with or without
pay, and whether it is automatic or at your Principal’s discretion. Be aware that a leave or
partial leave may significantly impact the cost of benefits. Please contact OTIP for details.
Leaves include:
• Sick Leave • Pregnancy/Parental Leave
• Compassionate Leave • Religious Leave
• Special Leave (for urgent &/or essential personal business)
FOR SICK LEAVE INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT EVAN COOPER.
FOR OTHER LEAVES, PLEASE CONTACT JOHN ROSS.
An updated pregnancy/parental leave package is available through the Collective Bargaining and Benefits
Committee representatives in each school, or through the District Office.
TBU - District 25 [11]POSACTION PLUS PROGRAM
What is the Posaction Program?
The Posaction Plus assistance service offers you professional support by guiding you through a problem-
solving process. Our services will help you overcome your problems so you can get back to feeling like yourself
again.
What kind of concerns does the Posaction program address?
- Work-related problems, personal problems, family problems and dependency problems.
Is it confidential?
Confidentiality is a key component of the Posaction Plus service. All network counsellors are members of a
recognized professional association, and as such must comply with Canadian and provincial legislation
regarding the protection of personal information. No information regarding the use of these services may be
disclosed to anyone without the user’s express written authorization.
Is there a cost?
There are no out of pocket expenses for using the services, the psychosocial counselling service provides up to
12 hours of counselling per contract year as necessary.
How do I access this service?
Telephone: 1-800-668-0193 – Our Contract Number is 48147-902
EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EFAP)
What is the Employee & Family Assistance Program?
Your EFAP is a confidential and voluntary support service that can help you take the first step towards change.
We’ll help you find solutions to all kinds of challenges at any age and stage of life. Whether you have decided
to get in shape, are considering buying a new home or want to find a better work-life-balance, we have the
expert insight to get you on your way.
What kind of concerns does the EFAP address?
EFAP addresses a broad range of personal work-related concerns, including:
- Achieve well being, manage relationships and family, find child and elder care resources, legal advice
- Financial guidance, workplace challenges, tackling addictions, improving nutrition and focussing on
your health.
Is it confidential?
Anyone using the program is assured of the strictest privacy. Anything discussed with a counsellor is
confidential, as prescribed Canadian law, and no information is released without your prior written consent.
Is there a cost?
TBU - District 25 [12]All services are provided by Shepell and are paid for by your employer. If long term or specialized counselling
is required, the counsellor will assist you with a referral to another resource in the community. This referral
may involve a fee.
How do I access this service?
Telephone: 1-844-880-9137
YOUR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
Members are strongly encouraged to read their Collective Agreement.
The Collective Agreement is the contract between the union as bargaining agent and
your employer. It covers such issues as wages, working conditions, benefits, rights,
and procedures to be followed in settling disputes. Your Collective Agreement
protects you from discrimination because of race, creed, colour, national origin,
political or religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family
relationship, handicap, or membership in a labour union.
The TBU asks members to submit their ideas and recommendations for
improvements before contract negotiations begin. These recommendations guide
the union's negotiation team.
A new Collective Agreement cannot come into effect until the local membership
votes to endorse it.
If you have trouble understanding anything in your Collective Agreement, please
contact the union office.
WHAT IS A GRIEVANCE?
OSSTF has the right to file a grievance against the employer
on your behalf when your rights under the contract have
been violated. Grievances can be filed on behalf of an
individual, a group, or as a policy grievance.
If you think your rights have been violated, contact John
Ross or Cathy Bailey at the District Office immediately.
TBU - District 25 [13]New Teachers’ Induction Program (NTIP)
Teacher Performance Appraisal (TPA)
In June 2006, Bill 78 received Royal Assent in the Ontario Legislature, creating
the New Teachers’ Induction Program and creating a Teacher Performance
Appraisal specifically for new teachers. It is extremely important for new
teachers to seek clarification whenever necessary.
School Boards are required to provide a New Teachers’ Induction Program
and new teachers are required to participate in it. The program must include:
- a form of school and board orientation;
- professional development specific to the needs of new teachers, delivered in a relevant,
timely and manageable fashion; and,
- a non-evaluative mentoring program which includes time release.
OSSTF will sit on the Board’s NTIP committees and work as a partner in developing programs for new
teachers. Your feedback would assist us in representing members effectively.
OSSTF will work to ensure that:
- PD meets your needs and is delivered appropriately
- you have been offered a choice of mentors and mentorship
arrangements and that a safe, non-judgemental exit procedure is
available in case you are not happy with your mentorship
arrangement
- it has been made clear to all involved that your mentor will not be
involved in evaluating you in any way.
- Time release is provided for NTIP professional development
activities and meetings with your mentor.
- The principal or VP meets with you in advance of the TPA to explain the 8 competencies for evaluation,
the rubric / ratings to be used, how dates will be confirmed in advance for classroom observations, and
what information will be used to write the summative report.
ANNUAL LEARNING PLAN (ALP)
The Annual Learning Plan is separate and distinct from a formal performance appraisal. It is:
Developed by the teacher to meet his or her individual career and personal priorities.
Meant to take into account professional growth goals and recommended strategies from the most
recent TPA.
Not to be changed by administration, though teachers must review their ALP with the principal during
an evaluation year.
Experienced teachers are required to have an ALP every year. New teachers are not required to have an ALP,
but must develop an ALP in their first year as an experienced teacher (following successful completion of
NTIP). The website http://www.teachersalp.com/ can be used to assist in creation of an ALP.
TBU - District 25 [14]For more info. on all topics introduced in this handbook, call 613-729-7211, or visit:
www.d25.osstf.ca
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
As a new teacher, you will be upgrading your credentials over the next several years in order to raise your certification
and improve your skills and knowledge base. This is an expectation of you as a professional. If you are taking courses to
get into another pay category, be sure to contact the OSSTF/FEESO Certification Department
(https://www.osstf.on.ca/services/certification.aspx ) to get prior approval for the course.
In addition, you will probably want to participate in workshops and conferences in your subject area, to enhance your
curriculum awareness and sharpen your instructional skills. OSSTF/FEESO sponsors such
professional development activities - through an OSSTF/FEESO-sponsored,
district-wide PD day in April, through funding for individuals to attend conferences, and
through funding of subject councils to organize workshops and seminars at the local level in
their area. Other organizations occasionally provide professional development
opportunities such as conferences and workshops which OSSTF/FEESO members may be
interested in attending. Visit their websites for more information:
https://www.osstf.on.ca/pd-training/external-conferences-and-workshops.aspx
OSSTF/FEESO also funds school-based PD activities, and promotes further PD activities with the Board through its
programs. If you are interested in any of these areas, please see your Branch’s Professional Development representative.
Applications for $400 grants (* TBU members are eligible every TWO years for a grant) are available to help defray
conference costs. Application can be made electronically at: http://www.d25.osstf.ca/bargaining-units/teachers-
bargaining-unit/faq.aspx – in the Teachers’ Unit FAQ section. For further assistance, contact Les Robinson,
Professional Services Officer at the District Office: Les.Robinson@d25.osstf.ca or 613-729-7211, ext. 102.
OSSTF/FEESO also has an excellent selection of online professional resources
(https://www.osstf.on.ca/resource-centre.aspx) for teachers. The Educators’ Resources section includes
information about Growing Success, Anti-homophobia materials, sexual harassment prevention resources, advice for
Occasional teachers and ECE members and an archive of selected Resources of the Month.
Support for curriculum implementation including lesson plans from our Common Threads projects and Socially-based
Curriculum Units is found in Curricular Materials. The Copyright Section contains information and resources from the
council of Ministers of Education Canada on the use of copyrighted materials for educational purposes in elementary and
secondary schools.
OTF (Ontario Teachers’ Federation) Professional Learning Resources offers professional learning programs,
which provide training, resources, and support in numerous areas. The project, funded by the Ministry of Education,
has hosted a number of very successful conferences such as “Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century",
"Media Violence" and "Critical Thinking." OTF continues to offer professional learning opportunities through
OTF’s Online Teacher Resources and OTF Connects. Now available on our website, OTF’s Online Teacher
Resource is a portal to a multitude of resource links as well as the extensive, searchable Lesson Plan Resource.
Our new online community, OTF Connects, brings teachers together to share and learn through online webinars
and social media. Please follow this link for more details: http://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/learning/
Survive and Thrive, is an online tool from the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (to
which OSSTF/FEESO is affiliated) for beginning teachers, occasional teachers,
mentors and teacher candidates. The website contains hundreds of practical,
hands-on resources on useful topics such as classroom management, special
needs students, working with parents, occasional teaching, assessment and reporting. There are
website links, audio and visual presentations by experts in education and message boards where teachers can
TBU - District 25 [15]converse with each other about their work. Participation is free: http://survivethrive.on.ca/
“An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks
back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human
feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the
growing plant and for the soul of the child.” (C.G. Jung)
Access is from the District 25 or
OSSTF webpage by clicking on the
Edvantage Logo, and using your
OSSTF membership number.
See all the available deals at: www.edvantage.ca
The unique financial needs of the education community are best served
by those who genuinely understand those needs.
We’re owned by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) and have been
since the start. Where traditional financial institutions saw risk with clientele from the education
community, we saw stability and the opportunity to step in and provide solutionsTBU to your financial
- District 25 [16]
challenges. And, we continually enhance our services to elevate your client experience. Whether
you’re looking to obtain a mortgage, for investment advice, or financial planning, we’ll provide the
best educator-specific options to help you reach your life goals.TBU - District 25 [17]
TBU - District 25 [18]
OCDSB - Employee Inquiry
Key in www.ocdsb.ca in the search line of the computer
Select Staff from the menu bar and Employee Inquiry from the
drop down menu to get the Sign In screen.
Enter your username: 'C' + your unique EIN Number eg : C999999
Enter your password: enter your password
then click on grey sign in button.
The Employee Self Service Portal will open. Click on the words Employee Services under the
heading Employee Functions.
It is your
responsibility to
check for the
accuracy of paystub
and absence
information under
“Personal” on a
regular basis.
TBU - District 25 [19]A Final Note About Solidarity
As unionized workers, we benefit from the work of those who went before us. Never forget:
our wages, our benefits and our rights were won at the bargaining table. They were not
"given" to us.
We owe a lot to the hard work of members of the union who preceded us. There was a time
when workers who quit their job without permission from their employer risked going to jail!
We have come a long way. Our day-to-day experiences indicate that we have further to go.
We not only need to defend our legacy, but we must build on it as well.
The more we support each other the more successful we will all be.
Solidarity is also about supporting your brothers and sisters in other bargaining units and
members of other unions when they are involved in a strike or lockout, or working in
community coalitions to address social issues. The union movement is about sticking up for
each other, but that is not the only reason to show our support for others. Every union
contract has an impact on other Collective Agreements. Their gains become our gains.
TBU - District 25 [20]Be A Part Of The Bigger Picture
Become a member of the bargaining
unit executive!
Volunteer to help with the PD Day!
Sit on a district or provincial
committee!
Contact any member on the executive
to see where you can help.
District 25
T.B.U.
TBU - District 25 [21]You can also read
