UP FRONT

ACKNOWLEDGE A GREAT TEACHER Do you know an outstanding teacher? Nominate them for an OTIP/OTF Teaching Award! These awards recognize teachers who inspire students, colleagues, and parents in Ontario’s publicly funded education system. Anyone can nominate a teacher in one of three categories: elementary, secondary, or a beginning teacher in their first five years of teaching. Winners receive $1,000 and a Certificate of Recognition for both their self and their school. Nominations close March 31. Visit teachingawards.ca for more information.

FREE CLASSROOM RESOURCES ABOUT DIGITAL AND MEDIA LITERACY Media Smarts is Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy. At mediasmarts.ca, you can find a host of free and pay-for-use resources for teachers and parents. Whether you are searching for lesson plans, resources that support the development of critical digital media skills, or information about how to be safe online, this website has a lot to offer.

1. Media Literacy 101 explains key concepts of media literacy through a series of videos that examine mass media and popular culture. Each key concept is unpacked through the use of a video and lesson plan. 2. Digital Literacy 101 contains resources that support the implantation of digital literacy into teaching practice through a series of lessons, activities, videos, and posters. 3. Use, Understand & Create: A Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools provides a road map for teaching digital literacy skills in Canadian schools. The framework draws on seven key aspects of digital literacy: ethics and empathy, privacy and security, community engagement, digital health, consumer awareness, finding and verifying, and making and remixing. It provides teachers with supporting lessons and interactive resources that are linked to curriculum outcomes for every province and territory.

The website also offers licensed resources, class tutorials, and PD workshops that may be purchased.

LABOUR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY The Labour College of Canada (LCC) Certificate Program is alabour studies and leadership program for labour leaders and active union members that supports critical thinking and collaborative learning in a flexible format.

For more information about the LCC Certificate Program, go to labourcollege.ca.

The application deadline is March 15.

RECOGNIZE YOUR SCHOOL The Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario (CEFO) recognizes the outstanding work of Ontario’s Catholic elementary and secondary schools through two awards:

The Michael Monk Award honours a Catholic elementary or secondary school that has led the way by implementing exemplary innovative program(s) to improve student learning. The award is $4,000 and is jointly funded by CEFO and OECTA.

The Michael Carty Award provides grants of up to $2,000 to Catholic elementary or secondary schools, to support initiatives that improve, develop, and enhance aspects of Catholic education that contribute to the whole person.

Applications for each award are due April 2. Additional information, including application forms, can be found at cefontario.ca.

AGM 2020 – RESOLUTIONS & NOMINATIONS BOOKLET NOW AVAILABLE OECTA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place March 14 to 16 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto. OECTA members from across the province will assemble for three days to discuss, debate, and vote on changes to the by-laws, policies, and procedures that govern the Association.

The Resolutions and Nominations booklet is available in the Members’ Area at catholicteachers.ca. This booklet includes all proposed policy, procedural, and by-law changes to be debated at this year’s AGM. Contact your local unit office to find out how you can provide input regarding the AGM resolutions.

News and updates can be found throughout the AGM at catholicteachers.ca, on Twitter @OECTAProv, or on the OECTA Facebook page.

The newly updated Fourth R for grade 7/8/9 Catholic Health Education teachers is now available for purchase. The resource includes a Catholic perspective and detailed lessons, student handouts, teacher reference sheets and culminating activities that meet the new expectations for grade 7/8/9 health. CLASSIFIED ADS

To purchase, visit youthrelationships.org/ecommerce or call 519-858-5154.

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