STANDING PROUD AND MOVING FORWARD
BY JOANNE MYERS
“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – Unknown
O
n November 2, 2015, ETFO reached a central agree- ment with OPSBA and the Crown. For the fi rst
in history, the defi nition of
teacher professional judgement was included in our collective agreement. The defi nition is as follows: C2.5 “Professional Judgement shall be de-
fi ned as judgement that is informed by pro- fessional knowledge of curriculum expecta- tions, context, evidence of learning, methods of instruction and assessment, and the cri- teria and standards that indicate success in student learning.
time
In professional practice,
judgement involves a purposeful and system- atic thinking process that evolves in terms of accuracy and insight with ongoing refl ection and self-correction.” ETFO has been advocating for the recog-
nition of teacher professional judgement for years, especially in the areas of assessment and reporting. The inclusion of the defi nition in the new central agreement is a signifi cant win for ETFO and the teaching profession. It sup- ports our members in making decisions based on their knowledge of assessment, reporting and beyond. It recognizes the value of our members’ wisdom and experience in all areas of their teaching practice and restores balance in their professional lives. ETFO member feedback from surveys
and programs reinforces the value of learning from one another and the importance of net- working. The opportunity to work together to make professional decisions improves motivation and helps develop a healthier teaching and learning environment for all. It builds a community of collaborative inquiry that empowers members to make insightful choices about the resources we use, our in- structional practices, how we interact with our students, how we carry out assessments in the classroom, how we comment on our report cards, etc. It is also an integral piece in how we communicate with parents. It is
a fundamental aspect of our daily teaching practice and this is our time to stand proud. ETFO provincial staff are preparing re-
sources and workshops to support members in developing a deeper awareness and under- standing of professional judgement and how to exercise it. Board administrators are well aware of
the inclusion of this defi nition in the cen- tral agreement and should be supporting the concept throughout their school communi- ties and in collaboration with the locals.
These are positive and inspiring times.
ETFO is excited about planning for the days ahead. Continuing to educate teachers about their professional judgement will be a prior- ity refl ected in resources and programs to come. Professional judgement is a stronger part of the ETFO identity than ever before and it feels good! n
Joanne Myers is an executive staff member at ETFO.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 19
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