- Home
- Committees
- Professional Learning Committee
Professional Learning Committee
Professional Learning Committee
- Chair – Jennifer Smalley Higgs, ETFO-YR
- Pam Beetlestone, ETFO-YR (ex-officio)
- Debra Besner, Armadale PS
- Tatiana Davydova, Milliken Mills PS
- Sarah Gibson Neve, Oscar Peterson PS
- Alison Rumball, Regency Acres PS
- Kelly Barbarich, Park Ave. PS
- Donna Holmeshaw, Reesor Park PS
Workshop Registration Policy:
ETFO-YR Fair Distribution Policy (email registration with no required payment):
- For all registration requests received by 3pm on the (anticipated) 6th (sixth) day after the flyer has been picked up by the Board courier, names will be drawn by lottery; otherwise registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The cut-off date for the lottery shall be clearly indicated on the flyer
- For professional learning workshops (with release time), preference will be given to those members who have not already attended a release-time workshop in the current school year.
- Successful applicants and applicants on the waiting list will be notified.
PL FUNDING
ETFO-YR provides funding for the Professional Learning of its members, according to ETFO-YR Funding Policies. Funding Assistance is available in 2 different categories: ETFO-sponsored PL, and non-ETFO PL. Funding for ETFO-sponsored PL can be applied for once per school year (July 1 – June 30) and covers registration up to $200 (no expenses or supply coverage). Non-ETFO funding assistance is limited: up to $200 to cover the cost of registration only (no expenses or supply coverage), and you can receive non-ETFO funding assistance once every two (2) years.
PLEASE NOTE that in both categories, the application for funding assistance must be received by ETFO-YR BEFORE the PL activity is completed. Also, please be aware that ETFO-YR will not provide funding assistance for AQ courses with a registration cost of less than $500.
PLEASE NOTE that ETFO-YR:
- shall not provide PL Funding Assistance for PL Opportunities offered by the OPC;
- shall not provide funding assistance for any AQ courses with a registration cost less than $500; and
- shall not provide funding assistance for AQ courses where members receive or are provided with a subsidy from another organization (this includes AQ’s where members can apply for the OTF AQ subsidy).
Funding Assistance for ETFO-Sponsored PL:
Print the (2023-2024) Application for Financial Sponsorship to Attend ETFO PL form
Send the completed form to the ETFO-YR office in Aurora by Board courier, email jsmalleyhiggs@etfo-yr.on.ca or by fax (905-727-2637), ATTN: Jennifer Smalley Higgs. Your application will be processed and a letter will be sent to you by Board courier indicating the status of your application. Your application will be processed and a letter will be sent to you by Board courier indicating the status of your application.
Funding Assistance for non-ETFO-Sponsored PD:
Print the (2023-2024) Application for Funding Assistance to attend a non-ETFO-Sponsored PL form.
You will need to submit this completed form, along with a copy of the conference/workshop registration (showing price, date, title, etc.). Please note that the application form MUST be signed by your principal (he or she MUST indicate what, if any, monies you are receiving from the school, even if the answer is $0) in order for your application to be processed (this proves that you have asked the Board for PD funds).
Send the 2 forms listed above to the ETFO-YR office in Aurora by Board courier, email jsmalleyhiggs@etfo-yr.on.ca or by fax (905-727-2637), ATTN: Jennifer Smalley Higgs. Your application will be processed and a letter will be sent to you by Board courier indicating the status of your application. Your application will be processed and a letter will be sent to you by Board courier indicating the status of your application.
New ETFO-YR Member Lunch Programme
ETFO-YR Stewards have the opportunity to treat new ETFO-YR members to lunch. Information about the programme, and the application form can be found in the Local Stewards Binder Insert.
Dependent Care Policy:
ETFO-YR will subsidize the dependent care costs of members who are required to attend meetings sponsored by the ETFO-YR outside of the regular instructional day, members who attend the ETFO-YR General Meeting, and members who attend the ETFO-YR Annual Meeting, subject to the Dependent Care policy. Dependent Care Expense Claim Forms will be available at the registration table for members who attend eligible meetings.
ETFO-YR Workshops
November 29, 2023 and January 10, 2024
ETFO’s Inspire and Inquire Jr/Int Teachers
Info/Registration
REGISTRATION CLOSED
December 4, 2023
ETFO’s Local Workshop Series: Language Curriculum 2023
Info/Registration
REGISTRATION CLOSED
December 13, 2023
ETFO’s Workshop: Supporting English Language Learners
Info/Registration
REGISTRATION CLOSED
January 29, 2024 and March 5, 2024
ETFO Classroom Assessment that Works
Info/Registration
February 21, 2024
ETFO Arts Series “We All Belong”
Info/Registration
February 28, 2024
ETFO Exploring Climate Change and Eco-Justice Environmental Inquiry
Info/Registration
Provincial Events
Professional Learning Events
Women’s Health and Safety Conference
January 30-31, 2024
This conference supports the leadership development of women members to gain insights, skills, and confidence dealing with health and safety issues in the context of sex and gender.
To view the conference information and application details, see the flyer.
Registration closes on December 5 at 9 a.m.
Presenter’s Palette
February 1-2, 2024
ETFO’s Presenter’s Palette two-day workshop will take place February 1-2, 2024 at the ETFO Provincial Office, Toronto.
This practical, two-day workshop will provide an opportunity for members to develop skills in planning and presenting curriculum sessions to colleagues. Members who are interested in leadership opportunities within ETFO will find this workshop beneficial.
To view the conference information and application details, see the flyer.
Registration opens Nov. 16 and closes on Dec. 5 at 9 a.m.
8th Annual First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Symposium
February 3, 2024
Join us for a one-day gathering of learning focused on treaties.
Members will hear from speakers and learn about wampum, various resources, and best practices in the classroom to explore this important topic and build understanding for students and educators alike.
To view more details, see the flyer.
Registration opens Nov. 27 and closes on Dec. 12.
Annual Leadership Symposium for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Women Members
February 22-23, 2024
Are you interested in becoming an ETFO presenter? This conference will focus on public speaking, presentation skills, and building effective presentations.
Women members who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit are invited to attend this two-day leadership symposium on February 22-23, 2024 at the provincial office.
Registration closes on December 8.
Assessment website new content alert!
We’ve added some great videos to the Assessment for Learning section of the ETFO Members Sharing in Assessment website.
The new videos complement the numerous assessment tools and professional materials available to members on this user-friendly and easy-to-navigate site. Visit etfoassessment.ca today.
ETFO AQ
ETFO AQ is proud to offer two new courses for the spring session:
Addressing Anti-Black Racism to Change Pedagogy and Practice, Part 1
ETFO is one of three providers to offer this course to support educators as they become leaders in anti-Black racism in Ontario. This AQ course was developed collaboratively through community consultation and will assist educators in addressing challenges faced by learners who identify as members of the Black community. It takes the whole community to dismantle discrimination and encourage transformational change.
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples: Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues, and Cultures, Part 2
ETFO is one of five providers to offer this course to support educators as they earn qualifications to teach Indigenous focussed content across various curricula. Check with your board to inquire about what subsidies might be available for AQ courses as you learn to integrate Indigenous knowledge across various curricula.
ETFO AQ Fees
Since 2010, ETFO’s fees for our AQ courses have remained the same. In the last few years, there have been significant increases in expenses for administering the ETFO AQ program. Effective February 6, 2023, course fees will increase from $650.00 to $685.00.
ETFO continues to have one of Ontario’s lowest AQ course fees compared to other course providers. We believe in and continue to support ETFO’s quality educational programming instructed by teachers like you.


