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Supports for Teacher Candidates

December 17, 2025

ETFO plays a critical role within the education system by advocating for strong teacher education programs and smooth transitions for teacher candidates into the profession. 


This includes regularly lobbying the government about issues that impact teacher candidates and sitting on the faculty and federation liaison committees for each publicly funded faculty of education in the province. These committees, which also may include members of student associations, consider programs and supports for teacher candidates to ensure they are prepared to enter their new profession. 


Here is a curated list of resources and key information to support you through your journey from teacher candidate through establishing yourself in your teaching career and as an ETFO member.

As a teacher candidate, you are eligible to become an associate member of ETFO. Learn more about ETFO membership.
ETFO offers a large number of online AQ courses for certified teachers. As an accredited AQ course provider, ETFO AQ follows the curriculum guidelines and hours of study as set by the OCT and required by legislation.

Visit the ETFO AQ website.
 
The ETFO Faculty of Education Award is offered annually to a student at a faculty or school of education at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario during the final year of their teacher training. Up to 17 awards of $500 and a certificate of recognition may be granted.

Qualifying teacher education students are encouraged to apply between October 1 and February 1. More information and application forms are posted in the fall.
ETFO Voice Magazine serves as a platform for educators to share ideas, explore professional issues, and engage with topics that impact teaching and learning in Ontario’s public schools. The magazine features articles on equity, social justice, classroom strategies, and union news – aiming to inform, inspire, and empower ETFO members.
 
The ETFO Health and Safety website provides extensive information about the legal framework of health and safety and assists members in advocating for a healthy and safe workplace.
 
As outlined in the Teaching Profession Act, teacher candidates are associate members of the OTF. Here are some resources and position papers which may be of interest:
ETFO keeps members informed on a variety of important legal and professional issues through PRS Matters bulletins and other resources, which aim to prevent situations that could threaten an individual member's career or the status of our profession.

Search the bulletins by keyword or category or view the full index.
 
The Qualifications Evaluation Council of Ontario (QECO) is an independent body governed by the four teacher union affiliates in Ontario (AEFO, ETFO, OECTA, and OSSTF). QECO is responsible for providing and administering objective evaluations of teacher qualifications for salary purposes.

QECO evaluates eligible teachers based on specific academic criteria and places them in one of five salary categories (Category A to Category A4). QECO will issue a statement of evaluation, which you must submit to your school board for appropriate placement on the salary grid.

For more detailed information, visit the QECO website.
 
Visit shop.etfo.ca for a variety of professional learning resources developed by ETFO that are available for purchase at a nominal cost. Some resources are even available as a free download.
 
Here are some ETFO websites available to you to support your professional learning and your programming/ planning for students in your practicum placements.
  • The etfoPLEY.ca website is a dynamic website for those looking to enhance their understanding of best practices in the Early Years.
  • Etfoassessment.ca highlights ETFO’s strong position on the importance of classroom assessment and the information that teachers gather on a daily basis to inform instruction. Here you will find a collection of tools and templates that are ready for classroom use.
  • Heart and Art of Teaching and Learning is an interactive blog that has practical ideas and topics of interest to new members or those who are experiencing a change of assignment from practicing teachers.
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