Teachers: Pillars of democracy

TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - "Tomorrow, on World Teachers' Day, we congratulate Ontario teachers for their outstanding work, both in the classroom and in society," stated Julie Pauletig, President of the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF).

"This year's theme, Teachers: Pillars of democracy, speaks to the role teachers play in educating students about the value of democracy in maintaining the quality of life in our society," added Pauletig, "Teachers set the example for all citizens by standing up for democratic principles in the public forum."

World Teachers' Day, marked every year on October 5, was proclaimed in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize the contribution of teachers to society.

Recently, the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) and OTF recognized the excellence of Ontario's teachers in publicly funded schools with the presentation of the OTIP Teaching Awards for excellence to Kerri Lyn Grainger, St. Columban Catholic School, Dublin in the Beginning Teacher category;  Nancy Dye, Hearing Itinerant Department, Toronto in the Elementary Teacher category; and Catarina Vindasius, East Elgin Secondary School, Aylmer in the Secondary Teacher category.

"These teachers represent the excellence of our teachers and the work they accomplish every day in our schools," concluded Pauletig. "I hope that everyone takes a moment tomorrow to thank a teacher."

The Ontario Teachers' Federation is the advocate for the teaching profession in Ontario and for its 160,000 teachers. OTF members are full-time, part-time and occasional teachers in all publicly funded schools in the province - elementary, secondary, public, Catholic and francophone.

SOURCE: Ontario Teachers' Federation

Rhonda Kimberley-Young
Secretary-Treasurer, OTF
416.966.3424