Emily Noble To Become CTF President

July 18, 2006

Emily Noble, president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), has been elected as president-designate of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF).

In 2007 Noble will begin a two-year term as president of the national organization, which represents 215,000 public school teachers across the country.

“Teachers expect their national organization to take a leading role in promoting social justice within Canada and around the world,” Noble said. “We have an obligation to bring hope and opportunity to teachers around the world, many of whom are working in very difficult conditions to educate their students.”

She noted that CTF has been a leader in providing support to teachers internationally. CTF coordinated donations for the tsunami relief efforts last year. As well it coordinates Project Overseas, which sends Canadian teachers around the world to work with colleagues in developing countries. ETFO has supported 44 participants in Project Overseas during the last five years.

“Enhancing public confidence in public education must be our focus here at home,” Noble said. “As a national body CTF can and does respond to regional and national issues that challenge our profession and the welfare of our students.”

In the past year CTF coordinated donations to the Teachers’ Hardship Fund, which provided financial assistance to BC teachers during their work stoppage. “We were able to provide practical help as well as moral support to BC teachers,” Noble pointed out.

Noble has been president of ETFO for four years. She has been a member of the CTF’s executive committee since 1998. During this past year she served as CTF vice-president. She is the first ETFO member to become its president.