The College of Teachers has issued five professional advisories to the profession in its history:
- Professional Misconduct Related to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct (September 27, 2002)
The intent of this professional advisory is to help members of the College identify the legal, ethical and professional parameters that govern their behaviour and to prevent sexual abuse of students and sexual misconduct. The advisory is not an exhaustive list of unacceptable behaviours, but rather is intended to provide examples and guidance. https://www.oct.ca/-/media/PDF/Advisory%20Sexual%20Misconduct/2002%20Professional%20Advisory%20on%20Sexual%20Misconduct%20EN%20WEB.pdf
- Additional Qualifications: Extending Professional Knowledge (March 28, 2008)
The intent of this advisory is to clarify for members the purpose of the regulated system of Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQs) and Additional Qualifications (AQs) and the important role they play in a teacher’s ongoing professional learning. The advisory is the outcome of an intensive review of teachers’ qualifications by the College, its members and its education partners. https://www.oct.ca/-/media/PDF/Advisory%20Additional%20Qualifications/OCT1136_Prof_Advisory_FINAL.pdf
- Professional Advisory on the Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media (February 3, 2011)
This professional advisory is intended to provide a context for the responsible, professional use of electronic communication and social media by members of the College. https://www.oct.ca/-/media/PDF/Advisory%20Social%20Media/ProfAdvSocMediaENPRINT.pdf
- Professional Advisory- Safety in Learning Environment: A Shared Responsibility (May 22, 2013) Updated March 3, 2016: In response to the recommendations of the Coroner’s Jury in the Inquest into the Death of Rowan Stringer, the Council of the College approved an update to this professional advisory in order to include guidance related to safety in volunteer training or coaching situations, and first aid.
The intent of this advisory is to remind members of their responsibility to provide students with a safe learning environment. It provides advice to members in order to minimize risks by, for example, knowing and applying legislation and school board policies with respect to student safety in general and specifically those surrounding codes of conduct, reporting and responding to incidents of violence and abuse, lockdown procedures and safe school protocols. The advisory also sets out advice about how to determine whether an activity or situation poses some level of health and safety risk. https://www.oct.ca/-/media/PDF/Advisory%20Safety%202013/2013_professional_adv_en_web2.pdf
- Professional Advisory- Duty to Report (June 4, 2015)
The Council of the Ontario College of Teachers approved this advisory on June 4, 2015 to remind members that they have a duty to report abuse and/or neglect of children and youth. This may be read in conjunction with previous advisories such as Professional Misconduct Related to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct, and Safety in Learning Environments: A Shared Responsibility. https://www.oct.ca/-/media/PDF/2015%20Professional%20Advisory%20Duty%20to%20ReportENWEB2.pdf