Your Member News
October 6, 2021
Celebrating Teachers
On World Teachers’ Day, ETFO joined people around the globe to recognize and celebrate teachers for their outstanding commitment to the development, success, and well-being of students.
 
ETFO President Karen Brown said, “As the heartbeat of public education, teachers offered hope, guidance and stability so that all students could persevere, learn and be well. We thank them, and those who support them, for inspiring, uplifting and celebrating every student.”
 
Read the full statement here
COVID-19 FAQ Update
To keep you informed, ETFO is continuing to provide FAQ info sheets. In this FAQ, you will find information on vaccination requirements at work; reporting; remote learning; and pandemic recovery. Review the newest update here
October is Women’s History Month
Our 2021 Women’s History Month poster is an acknowledgement of how women were disproportionately impacted during the pandemic. A Socially Just Recovery poses critical questions about rebuilding a safer and more equitable world.
 
Download a PDF of the ETFO poster.
Goal Setting for 2022 Bargaining 
ETFO collective agreements expire in a year, but the goal-setting process starts today!
 
Member input is critical when setting the Federation’s bargaining goals. ETFO determines members’ priorities through an extensive surveying process.
 
Today, Wednesday, Oct. 6, members were emailed a link to participate in the online survey, as well as an invitation to participate in focus groups. If you did not receive the link, please visit etfocb.ca and request one. 
 
Be sure to participate – this is your chance to have your voice heard!
Imagine a Better Future for Public Education
In June of 2022, we will have an opportunity to elect a new government that supports public education. This will take all of us working together, having important conversations about what is happening in our classrooms and public schools, and imagining a better future to make that change.
 
It is important that members talk to their family members and friends about the provincial election and electing a government that will support publicly funded education. 
 
Click here to view our tips to hold conversations.  
Member Services
Call for Course Leaders
ICT Conference for Women 2022 
We are seeking interested women members to lead a full-day workshop covering diverse applications of educational technologies in teaching and learning.

The conference is scheduled for Jan. 26 and 27, 2022 in Toronto.

The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Learn more here.
Ici On Parle Français – PD Grants for FSL Teachers
The Ontario Teachers’ Federation is offering a limited number of grants that teachers can use to participate in a self-directed French as a Second Language (FSL) professional learning program/activity or to purchase resources to support their FSL proficiency and teaching.
Teachers can work with other FSL teachers in a collaborative learning team of two to four teachers or apply as an individual.

Apply by Oct. 14 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Find out more here.
Call for Writers
K - Grade 8 Anti-Racism & Gender Equity Resources
Members who identify as women are needed to develop resources that will support students in unlearning power stereotypes and forms of oppression that negatively impact girls and women who are Indigenous, Black, and racialized. 
 
Apply by Oct. 22. Download the flyer and access the application form here.
Calling Union Activists 
Are you interested in stepping up your game to strengthen our labour movement? Are you committed to helping make life better for all workers?
 
Consider applying to the Labour College of Canada by Oct. 31. Visit labourcollege.ca for more info.
5 Things to Prepare Your Home for Winter
Now that fall is officially here, many are busy enjoying all that the season has to offer. Between admiring the colour-changing leaves on a cool evening stroll and baking pies made with freshly picked apples, prepping for winter may be at the bottom of your to-do list. However, using the last of the year’s warmer weather to prepare for winter could spare you a lot of trouble.
 
Read about five things to do to get your home ready for winter. 
Awards and Scholarships 
The ETFO Awards Program recognizes distinguished academic achievements and outstanding contributions to education and the Federation by members and others.
 
Over one hundred thousand dollars are distributed annually through the Awards Program. Members can help identify and recognize those achievements by nominating colleagues or consider nominating themselves.
 
Learn more at etfo.ca/awards and apply before February. 
Professional Learning Events
Continuing to Challenge and Create Change 
Saturday, Nov. 13 and 27
This two-part leadership conference is for racialized members who are committed to becoming involved in their union and creating a just society within the labour movement. This year’s focus is on understanding the importance of organizing, encouraging continued advocacy, and gaining awareness about compassion fatigue.
 
Read more and register by Oct.15 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. 
Think on Your Feet
Nov. 18 and 19
This two-day course will transform how ETFO women think, write, speak and lead. Presented by global communications leader McLuhan & Davies Communications. 

Registration closes on Oct. 15. Read more
Union School – Part Two
Mobilizing for Change
This is an intensive, year-long in-depth training program for experienced activists, focusing on member engagement and organizing. Participants must be a graduate of the ETFO Union School program. Read more by viewing this PDF. 
 
Applications are due Oct. 20 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Election Organizing Trainings
As part of our #Mobilizefor2022 campaign, three different virtual training sessions will be offered this fall.

Each session will be one hour and will start at 4:30 p.m. EDT on designated Wednesdays as listed below.
 
Don’t miss out - register today via the events.etfo.org site, and please share with your colleagues!
 
Media Training on Oct. 27
  • This workshop will teach members how to produce better pitches, reach more journalists, generate more earned media into communities, and tell your own story using alternative media.

Electoral Organizing on Nov. 3
  • By offering a broad overview of the roles, strategies, and concepts of election campaigns, this training will explain and demystify everything from becoming a candidate, volunteering, data tracking, to getting out the vote.

Canvassing 101 on Nov. 10
  • Participants will be guided through the different forms of voter outreach, learn tools to canvass communities virtually, go door to door and phone bank.
Engaging Learners Through Trauma Informed Practice
Friday, Nov. 12
ETFO invites 73 women members to register for a one-day First Nations, Métis and Inuit education virtual professional learning opportunity. This virtual session, led by Right to Play, will explore trauma-informed practices and experiential play-based learning to support educators in their instructional practice and knowledge building about Indigenous Peoples.
 
Registration closes on Oct. 22. Learn more by reviewing this flyer.
Indigenous Women’s Mentorship Program 
Our new Indigenous Women’s Program is a unique opportunity for Indigenous women new to ETFO or for those looking to explore union leadership opportunities with an ETFO woman mentor through the lens of two-eyed seeing.

*The deadline to register has been extended to Friday, Oct. 8.
 
Program Dates:

  • Oct. 28, 2021 (virtual) 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT

  • Feb. 4 and June 3, 2022 (in-person) 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT

  • Three individual Mentor-Mentee sessions: TBD

Learn more about being a mentee here.
Be a Mentor for the Indigenous Women’s Mentorship Program
We are also looking for 20 Indigenous and non-Indigenous women members to act as mentors for this program.

Mentors will have the opportunity to engage in reconciliation-focused learning opportunities and scaffold their own active allyship journey. This program is designed within an inclusive, anti-oppressive framework.
 
Learn more here and apply by Oct. 8.
Resources for Educators
  • Dear New Teachers, you will want to read this blog by educator Arianna Lambert.

  • Thinking of Beginning a GSA this year?! Educator, Tammy Axt has these tips

  • While September 30, the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation has come and gone, our learning journey must continue! Watch this video with Chief Robert Joseph who shares his experience as a survivor and why truth and reconciliation must be part of every single day.

  • Do you remember everything the Ford government had done since being elected in 2018, and what kind of damage has been caused by bad public policy? The Ontario Federation of Labour is keeping track to remind voters. Check out the OFL Ford Tracker, but be warned it’s not pretty!
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The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
represents more than 83,000 teachers and education professionals.