ETFO Standing Committees

The members of these committees are appointed provincially and they meet during the year to carry out their assigned tasks and make recommendations to the Executive.

2010-2012 ETFO Standing Committees - Flyer

• Aboriginal Education

  Terms of Reference To provide advice on the education of ETFO members about the historical experiences, cultural norms, and issues of Aboriginal People. To provide advice on the promotion of teaching as a career for Aboriginal People. To identify ways of supporting native language teachers and programs. To provide advice on the inclusion of Aboriginal members in all aspects of the ETFO and its programs. To provide advice on the promotion of Aboriginal education issues at faculties of education. To provide advice on the promotion of networking, leadership, and professional development for Aboriginal members and Native language teachers. To provide advice on the promotion of programs and initiatives designed to improve Aboriginal student achievement. To provide support for the ETFO portion of Education Day at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival.

  Staff Contact(s)  Kalpana Makan

  Committee Members 2009-10 Debbie White - Peel Leslie Fallaize – Durham Larry Beardy – Keewatin-Patricia Charlotte Neckoway - Lakehead OT Darline Pomeroy – Kawartha Pine Ridge (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Annual Meeting

  Terms of Reference To receive nominations in writing from the General Secretary for Executive positions and to forward a list of nominees to the membership. To review the procedures to be used in the elections at the Annual Meeting. To develop a draft agenda for the Annual Meeting for the approval of the Executive. To receive and review resolutions submitted to the Annual Meeting and prepare the Annual Meeting Booklet for distribution to the membership. To prepare the Annual Meeting Workbook for distribution to the Annual Meeting. To review operating procedures for the Annual Meeting. To receive applications for the positions of assistant and poll clerk and to recommend appointments to the Executive. To facilitate the operation of the Annual Meeting.

  Staff Contact(s)  Jim White

  Committee Members 2009-10 Sharlene Smith – Lakehead Gail King - Simcoe County Ruth Mackie - Rainy River Ann Pharazyn - Lambton Kent Pamela Rogers - Hamilton-Wentworth (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Anti-Racist Education

  Terms of Reference

  • To identify ways for ETFO to sensitize members to cultural and racial diversity with an anti-racist focus.
  • To identify ways of promoting teaching as a career for racial minorities.
  • To identify issues in anti-racism, which should be addressed by ETFO. 

  Staff Contact(s)  Jane Bennett

  Committee Members 2009-10 Rachhpal Gill - Toronto Zubeda Patel - Peel Sadhna Bablani - York Region Azmina Mohamed - York Region OT Nilmini Ratwatte – Peel (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Awards

  Terms of Reference

  • To recommend award recipients to the Executive.
  • To examine the awards criteria and procedures and make recommendations.
  • To recommend an awards budget to the Annual Meeting.
  • To recommend the addition or deletion of awards to the Annual Meeting.
  • To submit resolutions concerning awards to the Annual Meeting.

  Staff Contact(s)  Mark Fallis

  Committee Members 2009-10 Inta Aldridge - Hamilton-Wentworth Sheri Birch Bayley - Simcoe County Sherrie Guthrie - Ottawa-Carleton John Neville - Lambton Kent Kim Pearson - Waterloo (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Collective Bargaining

  Terms of Reference

  • To recommend the content, method, and distribution of collective bargaining information developed by ETFO.
  • To establish bargaining goals for ETFO locals for submission to the Representative Council for approval.
  • To recommend training programs for present and future chief negotiators, presidents and collective bargaining committee members.
  • To recommend programs for those involved in the implementation of the locals’ collective agreements (such as grievance officers and stewards).
  • To identify bargaining resources to be developed by ETFO.
  • To review the Model Agreement and recommend revisions.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Harold Vigoda

  Committee Members 2009-10 Steve Prowse - Upper Canada David McLaren - Limestone OT Darlene Mead – Algoma Michaela Murphy - Renfrew County Malissa Sault - Grand Erie (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Disability Issues

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the Executive on developing policy and procedures relating to disability issues.
  • To provide ways of supporting teachers to cope with disabling conditions both physical and mental.
  • To familiarize and provide advice on the promotion of education among ETFO members about disabilities.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Christine Brown

  Committee Members 2009-10 Aviva Rosenberg - Peel Cheryl MacMillan – Niagara Adam Peer - Peel Tina Rodway - Durham Leigh Ann Wheeler - Kawartha Pine Ridge (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Early Years

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the Executive on current early years issues.
  • To make recommendations that provide advice on the promotion of quality early years programs.
  • To review current documents that impact on early years programs.

  Staff Contact(s)  Joan Littleford

  Committee Members 2009-10 Ron Vine - Hamilton-Wentworth Lotje Hives - Near North Elizabeth Kettle – Ottawa-Carleton Margaret Mapley-Jackson - Lakehead Corinne Scarfo - Lakehead (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Education Support Personnel

  Terms of Reference

  • To monitor the interests of ESP/PSP members within the ETFO structure.
  • To monitor changes in legislation and school board policy which impact ESP/PSP members.
  • To study the impact of OMERS pension issues on ESP/PSP members and make recommendations to the Executive.
  • To encourage ESP/PSP members to become more actively involved in ETFO and its programs.
  • To advise the ETFO Executive and make recommendations with respect to ESP/PSP members.

   

  Staff Contact(s)

  Committee Members 2009-10 Inactive in 2009-2010

• Environmental

  Terms of Reference To identify ways ETFO can support green initiatives. To recommend action on issues related to the environment. To provide advice on the promotion of programs and initiatives on environmental awareness. To provide advice on the promotion of environmental education.

  Staff Contact(s)  Jason Johnston

  Committee Members 2009-10 Ron Ballentine – Halton Antonella Ciampa - Greater Essex  Antonino Giambrone -Toronto Valerie Inksetter – Hamilton-Wentworth Todd Rimmington – Niagara (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• French as a Second Language

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise and make recommendations to the Executive on strategies, which raise awareness and sensitize ETFO and its membership about French as a Second Language (FSL) issues and French language services.
  • To identify ways of supporting FSL teachers and programs.
  • To promote advice on the promotion of teaching FSL as a career.
  • To monitor changes in legislation and make recommendations to the Executive to communicate with the Ministry of Education and boards about FSL issues.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Johanna Brand

  Committee Members 2009-10 Bruno Dallaire - Ontario North East Diana Andrews - Toronto Rose Huysentruyt-Closs - Grand Erie Mario Spagnuolo - Greater Essex Barbara-Ann Sutherland – Algoma (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Gender Issues

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the Executive on identifying gender issues in locals and district school boards.
  • To advise the Executive on ways to address identified gender issues in locals, district school boards or where appropriate.
  • To develop policy recommendations for the Executive and the Annual Meeting, to assist locals in establishing policies within district school boards that are relevant to gender issues.

   

  Staff Contact(s)

  Committee Members 2009-10 Inactive in 2009-2010

• Human Rights

  Terms of Reference

  • To identify and recommend strategies to assist ETFO, its locals and members in promoting awareness of and respect for human rights issues.
  • To identify ways of promoting teaching as a career for members of groups currently under-represented in the profession.
  • To identify ways of promoting greater participation of members who belong to equity-seeking groups in all areas of ETFO.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Sherry Ramrattan-Smith

  Committee Members 2009-10 Michael Thomas - Thames Valley Karen Chow – Hastings & Prince Edward OT Alice Assor-Chandler - Halton Rochelle Coombs-Paulus - Toronto Lorna Evans Afolabi - Ottawa-Carleton (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Intermediate Division

  Terms of Reference To advise the Executive on current issues affecting intermediate division teachers. To study emerging trends and patterns in the education of students in the intermediate division. To provide advice on the promotion of quality teaching and learning in the intermediate grades.

  Staff Contact(s)  Janet Millar-Grant

  Committee Members 2009-10 Mareika Lubkiewicz - Halton Kevin Adams - Trillium Lakelands Susan Elizabeth Gardner – Ottawa-Carleton Dave Henderson - Hastings-Prince Edward  Walter Onyskiw – Limestone (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• International Assistance

  Terms of Reference

  • To select candidates for Project Overseas for recommendation to the Executive.
  • To provide advice on the promotion of member participation in Project Overseas and international work.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive on the budget for Project Overseas.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive on the budget for other international education assistance programs and initiatives.
  • To develop policy statements on ETFO's participation in international development.
  • To monitor international development activities of CTF, EI and other organizations.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Mary Morison

  Committee Members 2009-10 Andrianna Knight – Halton Wes Delve - York Region Yasmin Khan - Toronto Hilda Postenka - Lakehead Maribeth Williams - Lakehead (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender

  Terms of Reference

  • To provide advice on the education of ETFO members about the histories and cultures of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members.
  • To advise and make recommendations to the Executive of strategies which raise awareness and sensitize ETFO and its membership about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues.
  • To identify and recommend ways of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members at the provincial and local levels.
  • To recommend strategies and resources which address homophobia and heterosexism.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Jim Giles

  Committee Members 2009-10 Gordon Dunbar - Upper Grand Jensen Cauthlin - Thames Valley Shawn Forth - Trillium Lakelands Livia Resendes - Toronto Jason Schwartz - Thames Valley (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• New Members

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the Executive as to the perspective of new members on Federation initiatives.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive regarding the support of members new to the education profession and the Federation.
  • To identify ways to encourage new members to become involved in the Federation.
  • To recommend strategies to educate new members on their role and responsibilities as members of the Federation.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Joanne Languay

  Committee Members 2009-10 Mark Carter - Niagara OT Jennifer Gray - Keewatin-Patricia Patricia Heath – Toronto Roger Keyzers - Ottawa-Carleton Catherine Moreau - Hamilton-Wentworth (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Occasional Teacher

  Terms of Reference

  • To provide a forum for the discussion of issues pertaining to occasional teacher locals.
  • To monitor changes in legislation and school board policy which affect occasional teacher locals.
  • To recommend strategies to enhance and facilitate occasional teacher local and teacher local relationships.
  • To provide advice on the promotion of the involvement of occasional teacher members in the structure of ETFO.
  • To determine the professional development needs of occasional teacher local members.
  • To monitor the interests of occasional teachers within the structure of ETFO.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Jim McMahon

  Committee Members 2009-10 Ross Haley - Bluewater OT Mary Karchemny - Waterloo Region Marion Mutton - Toronto Susan Rauscher - Halton OT Betty Lou Twiddy - York Region OT TBA (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Occupational Health and Safety

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise and make recommendations to the Executive on health and safety issues.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive to raise member awareness of health and safety issues in schools.
  • To provide advice on the promotion of member participation in health and safety training.
  • To provide assistance to health and safety representatives who sit on joint occupational health and safety committees.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Susan Ansara

  Committee Members 2009-10 Colin Wackett - York Region Jacalyn Beveridge - Toronto OT Lesly Kapush – Lakehead Melissa Timm – Toronto Valence Young - Renfrew County (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Pension

  Terms of Reference

  • To study pension and related issues that impact on active and retired members of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS).
  • To study the communication of pension information to ETFO members.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Jennifer Mitchell

  Committee Members 2009-10 Carolyn Walker - Bluewater Monica Rusnak - Ontario North East Nancy Falat - Rainbow Ken Gee - Limestone Marina Howlett - Upper Grand  (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Political Action

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the ETFO Executive and make recommendations to enhance the profile of political issues within the Federation.
  • To recommend strategies that will foster and encourage greater political involvement by ETFO members.
  • To recommend strategies to deal with issues at all levels of government.
  • To make recommendations regarding ETFO’s participation at meetings and conventions of political parties.
  • To analyze the policies of political parties and other organizations interested in education.
  • To make recommendations designed to strengthen ETFO’s partnership with other teacher federations, labour groups and social action groups in order to foster a broad-based response to social justice issues at the provincial and local levels.
  • To recommend resource material, training material and communications strategies to support effective political action.
  • To act upon the recommendation or direction of the Executive.

   

  Staff Contact(s)  Vivian McCaffrey

  Committee Members 2009-10 Kari Lowry - Upper Grand Craig Smith - Thames Valley Pierre Martin - Hastings & Prince Edward Dorothy Ramsay - Simcoe County Jane Roberts - Limestone (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Professional Development/Curriculum

  Terms of Reference

  • To develop policy recommendations related to professional curriculum for consideration by the Executive and the Annual Meeting.
  • To develop program recommendations related to professional development and curriculum for consideration by the Executive and the Annual Meeting.
  • To advocate on behalf of the members of the Federation and propose initiatives related to professional development and curriculum.
  • To provide advice on the content, delivery and design of Federation professional development and curriculum programs.
  • To advise the Executive on matters relating to the professional development work of the committee.

  Staff Contact(s)   Ruth Dawson

  Committee Members 2009-10 Janet Fraser - Ottawa-Carleton Shannon Bailey - Keewatin-Patricia Michael Beetham - Waterloo Region Steven Stenman - Limestone Teri Jane Thayer - Limestone (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Professional Relations and Discipline

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the Executive on the development of proactive programs to educate and assist members in the prevention of professional difficulties and to inform members of how to respond when dealing with professional concerns.
  • To act in accordance with the disciplinary procedures for alleged violations of Article VI: Code of Professional Conduct of the ETFO Constitution.
  • To advise the Executive on matters that impact on the professional lives of members.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive concerning professional relations matters.
  • To make recommendations to the Annual Meeting concerning professional relations matters.

   

  Staff Contact(s)   Sharon O'Halloran

  Committee Members 2009-10 Nancy Hutcheson - Waterloo Region Patti Monteith - Waterloo Ron Rivait - Lambton Kent Kurt Uriarte - Peel Deb Wells – Limestone (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Special Education

  Terms of Reference To advise the Executive on special education issues affecting members. To provide advice on the promotion of the education of students with special needs. To provide advice on the content, delivery, and design of special education programs. To review policy, procedures, and legislation related to special education and make recommendations to the Executive.

  Staff Contact(s)  Nancy Baldree

  Committee Members 2009-10 Gundi Barbour - Upper Grand Tia Aitken – Toronto Leslie Blais - Rainbow Anne George -Renfrew Sylvia Van Campen – Upper Canada OT (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Status of Women

  Terms of Reference

  • To advise the Executive on ways of enhancing the status of women in the teaching profession and in society.
  • To advise the Executive on ways of enhancing the profile of local ETFO status of women committees.
  • To advise the Executive on the training and provision of support for local status of women chairpersons.
  • To develop policy recommendations for the Executive and the Annual Meeting to assist locals to establish policies within district school boards that are relevant to women’s issues.
  • To provide advice on the content, delivery, and design of status of women programs for locals.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive for possible action on issues related to the status of women.
  • To make recommendations to the Executive on outreach to community-based women’s organizations.
  • To advise the Executive on how to include women members in all aspects of ETFO's organization and programs.
  • To advise the Executive on how to promote opportunities for networking, leadership, and professional development for women members.

   

  Staff Contact(s)   Krista Walford

  Committee Members 2009-10 Linda DiCesare - Toronto Janice Balesic – Peel Lee-Ann Matteau - Algoma Jane Nicholson - Lambton Kent Susan Ritchie – Algoma (Bold indicates Chairperson)

• Teacher Education/Faculty Liaison

  Terms of Reference

  • To provide advice on the promotion of the role of the Federation in pre-service education. 
  • To facilitate the entry of new graduates into the profession.
  • To monitor the activities of the College of Teachers and other organizations as they relate to teacher education.
  • To communicate to faculties of education trends impacting on the profession.
  • To ensure that teacher candidates are made aware of professional ethics and teachers’ rights and responsibilities during their pre-service year.

   

  Staff Contact(s)   Anne Rodrigue

  Committee Members 2009-10 Michelle Maker - Kawartha Pine Ridge Doris Duni - Elementary Teachers of Toronto Nancy Meehan - Hamilton-Wentworth OT Marie Clarke – Lakehead Sara Pidgen - Rainbow Judith Arai - Near North Tim Cunningham – Peel Charlotte McMaster – Limestone John Whitman - Durham Jacquie Hawken - Ottawa-Carleton Frank McCavitt - Thames Valley Gina Marcon - Greater Essex County Judy Perkes - Waterloo Region (Bold indicates Chairperson)