Expanding leadership opportunities for Ontario Certified Teachers

At a special meeting on November 20, 2025, College Council approved regulations that eliminate a longstanding barrier to leadership positions for teachers of technological education, Indigenous languages, and teachers who are of Indigenous ancestry, and who do not hold an acceptable postsecondary degree.

These changes give experienced Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) the opportunity to enroll in Part 1 of the Principal’s Qualification Program (PQP). Upon completion of Part 1 of the PQP, these OCTs will be eligible to enroll in Part 2 of the PQP. 

The Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation has been amended to create alternate pathways for the PQP Part 1 for only those teachers of technological education, Indigenous languages, and teachers who are of Indigenous ancestry who do not hold an acceptable postsecondary degree. 

The alternate leadership pathways were developed based on feedback received in focus groups with several education partners including the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC), the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO), the Association des directions et des directions adjointes des écoles franco-ontariennes (ADFO), First Nations, Métis, and Inuit educators, technology education teachers and the Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE). This collaborative effort will help expand leadership opportunities for OCTs and increase the number of qualified leaders available for Ontario schools.

Visit the College’s new website today

In January, the College launched our new public website.

As our most visited digital touchpoint, our website connects hundreds of thousands of people to essential information about applying to the College, professional learning opportunities, and how we serve the public interest by protecting students.

Our new site is designed to provide an intuitive experience for all users. It meets modern accessibility standards and features, including:

• streamlined navigation
• updated, plain-language content
• enhanced functionality
• a new font, updated colour palette and inclusive imagery.

These changes will make information easier to find and understand, advancing our strategic goals and upholding our commitment to responsive client service and transparency.

Together with our recently launched online application, our new website is an early step towards a new College visual identity that will bring greater consistency and accessibility to College digital and print materials.

Browse the site, and if you have questions about where to find information, our FAQs are ready to help.

Council meeting update

Remarks from Minister Calandra 

At its December 11 meeting, College Council welcomed the Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. Minister Calandra expressed appreciation for the College’s collaboration with the Ministry, in particular to eliminate barriers and expand leadership opportunities for technological education, Indigenous ancestry and Indigenous languages teachers.  

The Minister also commended the College’s engagement with Indigenous partners to explore new pathways for initial certification that reflect the diversity of Indigenous cultures, histories and languages. 

New Council Chair appointment 

Tammy Webster, OCT, concluded her tenure as Acting Chair of Council on December 31, 2025, after stepping in mid-year to fill a vacancy. Tammy, a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the first Indigenous Chair in the College’s history, joined Council in January 2022. 

We’re grateful for Tammy’s leadership and for her dedicated efforts in expanding leadership opportunities and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging across the teaching profession.

Joseph Fiorino began his role as the new Chair of Council on January 1, 2026.

Joseph, a lawyer specializing in labour relations and employment law, has served on Council as a public member since January 2025. 

Bilingual in English and French, Joseph is the Canadian Director of Human Resources and Labour Relations at First Canada ULC and previously served as Legal and Labour Advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Education.   

As Chair, Joseph will provide leadership to the Council including managing meetings, guiding the Council in carrying out its responsibilities and working collaboratively with the Registrar. 

We are looking forward to working with Joseph in the year ahead.

2026 budget approval 

Council also approved the College’s 2026 budget, maintaining the annual membership fee at $200. 

Council meetings are livestreamed on the College’s YouTube channel. Meeting summaries and related documents are posted on our website. 

2026 scholarship applications are now open

Do you know an outstanding teacher candidate enrolled in an accredited teacher education program in Ontario?

Encourage them to apply for the Ontario College of Teachers Scholarship Program! Each year, the College awards four $1,500 scholarships recognizing academic excellence, commitment to the teaching profession and resilience.

Urooj Ahsan, recipient of the 2025 Intermediate/Senior Scholarship, shares why she believes teacher candidates should apply:

“It brings recognition for a person — recognition of what we have done in the past, what efforts are behind where we are today and recognition of our contributions toward the teaching profession. It’s not only about the financial support.”

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

For more information about each scholarship, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit our website.

Elevating practice through collaborative professionalism

From the earliest stages of teacher preparation to seasoned practice, collaboration remains a cornerstone of professional growth. Whether mentoring teacher candidates, engaging in school-wide initiatives or participating in ongoing professional learning, OCTs strengthen their professional judgement and amplify their impact by learning with and from one another. In this way, collaboration is not merely a feature of the profession; it is a lifelong practice that sustains excellence, enhances collective capacity and supports the success and well-being of all learners.

When OCTs work together to share evidence-based strategies, reflect on student needs and draw on diverse perspectives, they create a rich, responsive approach to teaching and learning. This collective work deepens pedagogical knowledge and reinforces the ethical and professional responsibilities outlined in the Professional Standards, ensuring decisions are informed, equitable, and grounded in shared expertise. Such professional dialogue not only strengthens individual practice but also supports quality teaching across Ontario classrooms.

One OCT’s reflection illustrates how collaborative professionalism and the Professional Standards come to life in daily practice:

“As an educator, I demonstrate collaboration in my professional practice by integrating evidence-based strategies, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy into my daily teaching. I maintain high expectations while remaining flexible and compassionate, ensuring my classroom is a space where all students feel seen, valued, and capable. My practice is informed by both academic research and lived experience, and I regularly collaborate with colleagues as an Associate Teacher to support teacher candidates in developing strong professional habits.”

— Carrie Leigh Anderson, OCT