For College members and applicants
Your College
and You
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OCTs Help Shape Resources for Refreshed Professional Standards
In August, Ontario Certified Teachers (OCT) from across the province came together at the College to share professional experiences and perspectives that will help shape content to enhance understanding of the refreshed Professional Standards.
The English and French writing teams represented a diversity of regions, roles and school systems. Participants explored how the refreshed Professional Standards support ethical decision-making, professional judgment, student well-being and public trust in day-to-day practice inside and outside the classroom. Their contributions will inform future resources that are designed to be practical, relevant and responsive to members’ needs, and which reflect the varied contexts in which OCTs apply the standards in practice.
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“It was a valuable opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue with educators from across the province, reflect on what our professional standards mean in practice, and contribute to work that will help shape how the refreshed standards are understood and enacted.
I’m leaving the experience with new perspectives, new connections, and an even deeper appreciation for the importance of our shared professional standards in supporting the work of Ontario educators.”
— Sunaina Sharma, OCT
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As the new school year approaches, the College will begin sharing materials to help OCTs become familiar with the refreshed Professional Standards. Additional resources will be released in the months ahead to support reflection, interpretation and application of these professional obligations.
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You’re Invited to Our Annual Meeting of Members on Tuesday, October 20
Join College leadership for our Annual Meeting of Members on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
The online meeting is open to OCTs, applicants, interested education partners, and members of the public. Registrar and CEO Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, Chair of Council Joseph Fiorino, JD, LLM, and Chair of the Audit and Finance Subcommittee, Valerie Fontenelle, OCT, will provide updates on how the College works within its mandate to serve the public interest by regulating the teaching profession to protect students.
The meeting will be hosted on Zoom with simultaneous French and English interpretation. Optional closed captioning will also be available.
The session will conclude with a Q&A session. Questions about College governance and operations can be submitted in advance when you fill out your registration form. Please note that we will be unable to answer questions about individual files or our application requirements.
A recording of the meeting will be posted to the College YouTube channel at a later date.
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The College’s 2025 Annual Report is Now Available
The Ontario College of Teachers has released its 2025 Annual Report.
Members of the public and the profession are invited to explore the report, which provides an overview of the College’s priorities and activities in 2025. It also includes key statistics, such as new teacher certifications, the most popular Additional Qualification courses, and complaints and discipline outcomes.
Highlights from 2025 include:
- 31,587 total Additional Qualifications awarded
- 9,923 applications received
- 8,532 new members certified
Want to learn more about the work behind these figures? Our Fair Registration Practices Report provides detailed information about how we are improving our processes for internationally educated teachers, which in turn creates a better experience for everyone. Read our 2025 Fair Registration Practices Report.
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Test Windows for the Mathematics Proficiency Test Announced
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has announced upcoming test windows for the Math Proficiency Test (MPT).
- Fall: October 1, 2026, to November 14, 2026
- Winter: January 28, 2027, to March 20, 2027
- Spring: April 13, 2027, to May 29, 2027
Registration dates are expected to be announced soon.
EQAO is responsible for scheduling, facilitating, and evaluating the MPT. Refer to their website at mathproficiencytest.ca for the latest information and to register for a test sitting.
Passing the MPT is a certification requirement for most College applicants. To confirm whether this requirement applies to you, please visit the MPT page on our website. OCTs who held a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) on January 31, 2025, are not required to pass the MPT.
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What’s Trending at the Margaret Wilson Library?
Are you curious about what OCTs are searching for and borrowing this year?
Based on trends from the first half of 2026, the top three researched subjects are English literacy, math, and special education — three key areas of professional learning and classroom practice across Ontario.
Looking for your next read? Explore the Library's most borrowed titles or browse the newest additions to the collection.
How to find the lists:
- Sign in to your College account at oct.ca by selecting Member Sign-in.
- On the left navigation pane, click Library.
- Explore the featured lists or search the catalogue.
For support, contact the Library team at library@oct.ca.
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Discipline Summaries
Discipline Committee panels determine allegations of professional misconduct and/or incompetence involving Ontario Certified Teachers. Full panel decisions are posted to the member’s public register profile.
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Armen Shahnazarian, #621347
Suspension, reprimand, conditions, costs
The Discipline Committee ordered that the teaching certificate of Armen Shahnazarian be suspended for six months for failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students by using profanity, making demeaning comments to students and threatening violence toward a student.
His misconduct included telling the student to shut up, that he would throw him against a window, smash his head against a window, and hit him so hard that he would fall to the ground and need help getting up, or words to that effect.
Shahnazarian was also directed to receive a reprimand, complete coursework on anger management before returning to a position requiring certification, and pay $10,000 in costs to the College in relation to the proceedings. Full summary.
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Pouria Tabaeini, #678037
Revocation, reprimand
The Discipline Committee ordered that the teaching certificate of Pouria Tabaeini be revoked for engaging in a prescribed sexual act. In criminal proceedings, Tabaeini pleaded guilty to, and was convicted of, one count of sexual assault.
The Discipline Committee panel found Tabaeini guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be revoked and that he receive a reprimand. Full summary.
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Thai Duong Dennis Duong, #689309
Revocation, reprimand
The Discipline Committee ordered that the teaching certificate of Thai Duong Dennis Duong be revoked for sexually abusing two students. In criminal proceedings, Duong pleaded guilty to and was convicted of one count of sexual interference and one count of sexual exploitation.
The Discipline Committee panel found Duong guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be revoked and that he receive a reprimand. Full summary.
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Steven Mario Giommi, #482754
Revocation, reprimand
The Discipline Committee ordered that the teaching certificate of Steven Mario Giommi be revoked for engaging in a prohibited act involving child pornography. In criminal proceedings, Giommi pleaded guilty to and was convicted of one count of possession of child pornography.
The Discipline Committee panel found Giommi guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be revoked and that he receive a reprimand. Full summary.
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Rusty William Goertzen, #428441
Suspension, reprimand, conditions
The Discipline Committee ordered that the teaching certificate of Rusty William Goertzen be suspended for failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a student and failing to comply with his duty to report. His misconduct included engaging in a personal relationship with the student by communicating with the student regarding personal matters through Facebook Messenger and failing to report a message sent to him by the student in which the student referred to rape. Goertzen was also directed to receive a reprimand and complete coursework regarding professional boundaries and professional ethics with an emphasis on reporting obligations.
In their written decision, the panel stated, “Members are expected to always maintain professional boundaries with students, which includes appropriate communication with students inside and outside of school hours.” Full summary.
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