Building Better Schools: The ETFO Education Agenda
The ETFO eNewsletter Vol. 9 No. 4 | October 21, 2014
CELEBRATE DECE EXPERTISE ON OCTOBER 29
DECE with kindergarten student

October 29th is Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day--a perfect opportunity to celebrate ETFO's Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE) expertise in Kindergarten classrooms.

 

With the recent addition of the Rainbow DECE local, ETFO is proud to represent DECE members in 10 locals. Their expertise and commitment are a key component of the educator team delivering the play-based curriculum in Kindergarten classrooms across Ontario.

 

An ETFO poster (PDF | Text) specifically recognizing our DECE members has been developed for the October 29th Appreciation Day. As well, ETFO has released new resources to support educators working with early years students (see below).

 

On October 29th, let's celebrate our DECE members who--in partnership with other ETFO members--are building better schools in Ontario.

NEW: Early Years Professional Resources    

 

1. Resource Package 

Professional Learning in the Early Years cover (3 children depicted) The Learning in the Early Years Resource Package was designed to provide early years educator teams, individual teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, and teacher leaders with a variety of relevant resources to support their professional learning. The full resource package, or individual DVDs and facilitator's guides, will be available for purchase through shopETFO in late October.

 

2. Website 

The Professional Learning in the Early Years website contains videos focused on effective practices in the early years, mathematics in Kindergarten, and observation, with accompanying sample facilitator's guides.  A photo gallery provides images of various instructional and organizational components of early years classrooms. The Classroom Tours section of the site provides a glimpse into early years classrooms so that educators can 'experience' what effective early years classrooms look and sound like.  Access the website at www.etfopley.ca.

NEW RESOURCE: Aboriginal History and Realities in Canada

Turtle with map of Canada

This resource for grades 1-8  will assist teachers with addressing issues of equity and social justice in their classrooms, and help students develop an awareness and understanding of First Nation, M�tis and Inuit issues.

The resource includes thematic units, curriculum connections, teacher resources and links, student worksheets, and a historical timeline poster of the First Nation, M�tis and Inuit peoples of Canada.

To place an order, please access the form on the shopETFO web page.

 

ETFO Voice Fall 2014 cover

COMING SOON: ETFO VOICE

The fall 2014 issue of Voice will be in mailboxes in October. This issue of the magazine includes several articles on teaching and learning in the digital age, and reports on Annual Meeting 2014 and the new collective bargaining communications campaign

 

The fall print articles and an online article on the responsible and ethical use of electronic technology will be uploaded to the magazine website at etfovoice.ca and will also be featured on our Facebook page.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS MATTER!

Photo of a City Hall Monday, October 27, 2014 is municipal elections voting day.  Trustees continue to play an important advocacy role at the school board level.  It makes a difference who gets elected to school boards.

 

Municipal governments have taken on increasing responsibility for social programs that are important for ETFO members and their students.

 

Many ETFO locals are working independently and in collaboration with district labour councils to identify progressive candidates. You are  encouraged to check to see whether your ETFO local recommends specific municipal or trustee candidates.

TEACHER LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2015-2016

TLLP The TLLP is a project-based professional learning opportunity for experienced classroom teachers. The program funds proposals from classroom teachers who seek a peer leadership role in curriculum, instructional practice, or supporting other teachers.   

 

Individual teachers or groups of teachers may apply for a TLLP project by completing an application form. Although projects must be teacher-led, they can include other educational workers.  Applications for the 2015-16 TLLP are now available on the TLLP Ning. Applications are due to school boards by November 14, 2014.   

FYI - for your information
  • Connected Communities, November 2014 - nine webinars for members on technology and math topics. To register for one or more of the webinars, visit the ETFO website.
  • Be Aware, Prepare, Educate:  Online training for elementary educators on responding to and supporting students exposed to woman abuse. For details, please see this poster: PDF | Text.

  • ETFO is seeking members who are interested in serving on a new Labour Committee. Interested? Apply online by Friday, October 24, 2014.
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