Page 22 - Essential Advice for the Teaching Profession - Vol. 8

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS
Additional Qualification courses
Additional Qualifications ... extend teachers’ knowledge, skills, collaborative abilities, professional learning, and support student learning and enable educators/practitioners to stay informed of the ever-evolving nature of our practice.
—Member of the Teaching Profession
An Additional Qualification (AQ) is a program of study designed to inform and enhance professional practice, and taken in addi- tion to initial teacher education in an area of study based on theory, research, peda- gogy, the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession, the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession and the application of theory to practice. AQ courses are another form of self-directed professional learning designed to reflect the rich diversity and complexity of Ontario’s educational system. They support professional practice by invit- ing educators to engage in reflection,
critical inquiry, research, as well as peda- gogical and curriculum leadership to foster positive, safe and accepting school cultures. AQ courses also support ongoing profes- sional learning in various areas of teaching, and enable educators to gain qualifica- tions associated with various leadership roles such as Principal qualifications
and Supervisory Officer qualifications. Regulation 176/10, Teachers’ Qualifications Regulation, made under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, identifies over 370 qualifi- cations available for Ontario educators in both English and French (oct.ca/members/ additional-qualifications/schedules-and- guidelines). (See Figure 8.)
AQ courses are accredited by the College and offered by approved providers. Successful completion of an AQ course is recorded on a teacher’s Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
18 ESSENTiAL ADViCE FOR THE TEACHiNG PROFESSiON