Summertime is Classroom Time for Many Elementary Teachers

TORONTO, June 24 /CNW/ - The school year is coming to an end for Ontario's elementary public school students. However, many of their teachers are making plans to spend part of their summer back in the classroom as students themselves in Summer Academy 2010.

Now in its eighth year, Summer Academy is the professional development program offered during July and August in partnership by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), ETFO Teacher and Occasional Teacher locals, and many district school boards.

This year's Summer Academy includes approximately 70 curriculum courses designed to meet the professional needs of Kindergarten to Grade 8 teachers who are preparing for the upcoming school year. Most of the courses, which are planned and taught by ETFO members, offer 20 hours of learning over a three-day period. (For complete course descriptions, go to www.etfo.ca.)

This is the fifth year ETFO has received provincial funding for professional development.

"With funding from the Ministry of Education, we can offer more courses in more locations and provide enhanced resources for our participants," said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

"Teachers are life-long learners as well as life-long educators. We are proud to support teacher professional development because it is key to delivering excellence in the classroom and improving student success," said Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky.

"Ongoing professional development is increasingly important for elementary teachers. The many different courses available through the Summer Academy give our members the additional skills that will help them improve learning outcomes for all their students," Hammond said.

"The participation of our members in Summer Academy demonstrates that as professional educators, elementary teachers will always choose the professional development opportunities that are specific to their individual needs," said Hammond.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

For further information: Sam Hammond, President, ETFO, 416-962-3836 (office); Larry Skory, ETFO Communications, 416-962-3836 (Office), 416-948-0195 (cell)