Teachers Acting in Advisory Roles

Introduction

As a teacher and a teacher acting in an advisory role, you have obligations to other members of ETFO, the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF), the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), and students.

Because of your unique role, you also have to juggle any obligations you may have with the board, your supervisor, and school administrators.

Your Responsibilities as a Member of ETFO

Whether you are a teacher, mentor, consultant, team leader, coordinator, or program leader, you remain a member of ETFO. As such, your professional obligations are outlined in your local collective agreement and other legislation.

When acting in an advisory role, you may find yourself juggling your obligations to other ETFO members. You may also have to juggle your obligations to administrators who are supervising you, or who are evaluating the teachers with whom you work.

ETFO members’ obligations to one another are described in Article VI of the ETFO Constitution.

6.1    A member shall:

6.1.1    recognize the Federation as the official voice of all the active members of the Federation;

6.1.2    adhere to the directives, Constitution, and Bylaws of the Federation;

6.1.3    support collective bargaining initiatives, including a strike authorized by the Executive;

6.1.4    refrain from undertaking or supporting actions which undermine established bargaining                     procedures;

6.1.5    honour the terms of the collective agreement;

6.1.6    strive to eliminate all forms of harassment between individuals in the educational system;

6.1.7    endeavour to ensure equity and inclusiveness in the workplace; and

6.1.8    strive to achieve and maintain a high degree of professionalism and to uphold the honour, dignity, and ethical standards of the teaching profession.

Your Responsibilities as a Member of OTF

The Teaching Profession Act and Regulations also sets out the duties of members of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF). For example:

17.         A member shall co-operate with the Federation to promote the welfare of the profession.
             The duties of a member to fellow members of OTF include:

18.        (1)  A member shall,

    (a)avoid interfering in an unwarranted manner between other teachers and pupils;

    (b) on making an adverse report on another member, furnish him with a written statement of   the report at the earliest possible time and not later than three days after making the report. (Members are not required to comply with section 18 (1) (b) when reporting alleged sexual abuse of a student by a colleague).

Your Responsibilities as a School Board Employee

When acting in an advisory capacity, your role is to provide support and advice to colleagues while respecting their right to confidentiality. You may need to define and clarify this with principals and teachers.

A teacher in an advisory role may be asked to work with colleagues having professional difficulties. It is important to build trust in such situations so that the teachers have confidence in your efforts to assist them.

Do not take notes while working with a teacher who is being evaluated, and then give the notes to the principal. If you have observed the teacher in the classroom, it is not appropriate to discuss concerns with the principal about that teacher's abilities. It is not your role to evaluate your colleagues.

It is not your role to act as a counsellor for teachers having personal or professional difficulties. Instead, refer them to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered by your district school board, your local ETFO office, or to Professional Relations Services (PRS) at ETFO Provincial Office.

Your Responsibilities as a Member of the College of Teachers

As a member of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) you are:

• obligated to uphold the Ethical and Professional Standards of Practice for the Profession as defined in the of Teachers Act and Regulations.
  
• have a duty to students in your care to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Children’s Aid Society if you have reason to believe “a child is or may be in need of protection.” This responsibility is outlined in the Child and Family Services Act. Such a need may arise if you suspect a child is being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, or neglected.

Failure to report suspected child abuse or a pattern of neglect could result in charges under the Act with a fine, upon conviction, of up to $1,000. The statutory obligation to report suspected child abuse:

• applies to every person who performs professional or official duties with respect to a child, including teachers, principals, supervisory officers, and members of the support staff; and
  
• arises if there are “reasonable” grounds to suspect a pattern of neglect or abuse or the risk of neglect or abuse, regardless of whether one believes the information.

Members are advised to consult Professional Relations staff in Protective Services at 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-383 for additional advice.