Professionalism & Transparency
As the regulator for Ontario’s teaching profession, the Ontario College of Teachers is mandated to safeguard students and to do so with professionalism and transparency.
Professionalism is ensuring Ontario Certified teachers are certified, qualified and have earned the privilege of teaching in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary and secondary schools. It is continuing to do good work, while making improvements before they are needed.
Transparency is being open about the work that we do. It is about making our work available and accessible to the public. Moreover, it is about communicating simply and plainly with our stakeholders and making it easier for them to engage with us.
We infuse professionalism and transparency in all aspects of our work. They support our mission, vision, values and strategic priorities. Here are some examples:
Continuous Improvement through Feedback
Last summer, the College hosted focus groups in six Ontario communities to gather public and member feedback on a variety of topics, ranging from professional advisory topics to the development of our new and improved mobile app. We use the information gathered to guide and realign our work as needed.
Governance Structure Review
Continuing our governance review from 2018, the College, with Council’s support, made legislative recommendations to the government that would provide greater efficiency and effectiveness to our governance structure.
Professional Advisory: Supporting Students’ Mental Health
Educating members is a part of our legislated duties and we do so through professional advisories. Our advisories guide and enhance the professional practice of our members. We work closely with members, subject matter experts and education stakeholders to ensure the advice provided is useful and relevant.
In the spring of 2019, the College officially rolled out its latest professional advisory, Supporting Students’ Mental Health. To raise awareness and promote the advice, we held thoughtful discussions with seven communities in Ontario. The advisory defines mental health and teachers’ professional responsibilities while providing resources to help both students and teachers.
Public Protection and Ongoing Transparency
In 2019, the College concluded 101 Discipline Committee hearings and 14 Fitness to Practise Committee hearings. Publicly available decisions can be found on our website at oct.ca.
We also continue to provide public access to disciplinary decisions in other ways:
- providing all disciplinary decisions for posting on Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII)
- making copies of Discipline Committee decisions available in the College’s Margaret Wilson Library; members of the public can also request electronic versions of the decisions
- providing full decisions to Quicklaw, one of several professional Canadian legal research services available to service subscribers
- including summaries of Discipline Committee decisions in the College’s official publication, Professionally Speaking, and on the College’s website
- maintaining the online public register, as it also plays an important role in communicating the decisions of our Discipline Committee.
Find a Teacher
Since launching in 2001, Find a Teacher has been the most viewed section on the College website, with 7.26 million page views in 2019.
This public register of all our members includes details of their qualifications and credentials, and a notation of every revocation, cancellation and suspension of a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
OCT Membership App (for Members)
We launched a new and improved mobile app. Secure and easier-to-use, we saved paper by replacing the printed annual membership renewal package, with the app. Members can now quickly access their OCT membership card and Certificate of Registration and Qualification.
Our mobile app is available for Apple and Android devices.
Follow Us on Twitter
@OCT_OEEO provides information about College news, events, teaching resources and more.
Access Us on Facebook
Our Facebook page allows users to:
- participate in polls
- learn about visiting delegations
- read the latest College news
- learn of College job openings
- hear about events, trends and happenings.
Watch Us YouTube
Our YouTube channel features information on:
- award-winning teachers and how they inspire their students to greatness
- how to register with us
- what happens during a disciplinary hearing
- our advice to teachers on the use of social media
- professional misconduct and student safety
- Indigenous education.
You can also interact with the College on Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
See Us on Instagram
Our Instagram account highlights our work in pictures and videos.
Discover Us on Pinterest
Our Pinterest account provides teachers with resources, ranging from inspiring book recommendations to practical classroom tips.
Connect with Us on LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn account provides updates on our work as well as professional development and career opportunities.
College News
Sign up to receive our public e-newsletter, The Standard, and learn more about:
- our mandate
- teacher qualifications
- how we support high standards in education
- College reports on trends in education
- education legislation.
College members can subscribe to the e-newsletter Your College and You for College news. It provides early access to new developments in the College’s activities and the teaching profession.
Print and Online Versions of our Official Publication
Professionally Speaking, our quarterly publication for members, is one of public education’s largest circulation magazines in North America. It provides insight into education trends, best practices for teachers and the governance of the teaching profession.
The magazine is available by subscription or free online.
Discover the Data in Annual Reports
Our previous annual reports are filled with information and can provide statistical information about Ontario’s certified teachers, and insight into the College’s history and evolution.