Ontario Students To Benefit From Enhanced Training For Teachers

Ministry of Education

Ontario Students To Benefit From Enhanced Training For Teachers

McGuinty Government On The Side Of Families Who Want The Best Public
    Education For Their Children

    TORONTO, June 5  - Thousands of teachers across the province will be
returning to the classroom this September better equipped to help Ontario's
students succeed thanks to provincially supported training programs, said
Education Minister Sandra Pupatello today.
    "We are on the side of Ontario families who want the best public
education for their children," said Pupatello. "That's why we're supporting
training that helps teachers develop specialized teaching skills. This means
that many more students will benefit from the latest teaching techniques and
resources come September."
    The government has provided more than $23 million to the Ontario
Teachers' Federation, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association,
Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens, Ontario
Secondary School Teachers' Federation, Elementary Teachers' Federation of
Ontario and school boards to help them offer Ontario teachers more
professional development. There was an additional $3 million provided to the
Ontario Education Services Corporation for non-teaching staff.
    "This is the kind of partnership we have been looking for. It shows that
the government is committed to improving the quality of education and the
working conditions of teachers and education workers," said Elementary
Teachers' Federation President Emily Noble. "This year ETFO will be offering
twice as many summer courses for teachers. As well, we are offering new
learning institutes for Kindergarten teachers in each region of the province
to develop and share best practices in early learning."
    "The funding received from the government will allow us to initiate a
number of professional development activities," said Paul Taillefer,
president, l'Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens.
"These initiatives will enhance teachers' ability to help their students
achieve their full potential."
    Professional development opportunities will include workshops on topics
such as differentiated instruction, primary and junior literacy and numeracy
and effective kindergarten instruction.
    "Ongoing professional development has a direct impact on student
achievement, since it allows teachers to develop new teaching strategies and
continue to use best practices in the classroom," said Meagan Puddy Grade 2
teacher at Forest Run Public School.
    Summer teacher training is just one way the McGuinty government is
improving publicly funded education in Ontario. Other initiatives include:

    
    -  Delivered peace and stability through four-year agreements
    -  Hired 4,300 additional teachers and provided for one million new
       textbooks
    -  Lowered class sizes in the early grades: 70 per cent are benefiting
       from smaller class sizes
    
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    "We are asking a great deal from Ontario's teachers, while they are
facing more challenges than ever before in their classrooms," said Pupatello.
"By supporting teacher training, we are ensuring our teachers are better
prepared to help our children reach their potential.

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