by Johan Louw
Teach in Ontario - A Must for all Internationally Qualified and Trained Teachers
This is my humble and thankful reflection on the most successful course I have ever encountered or attended in my life.
After 23 years of teaching I thought I knew everything about my profession and came to Canada to further my career and passion. Little did I know what difficulties and obstacles I would face in my endeavour.
Teaching is a world phenomenon and it should be more or less the same everywhere, right? Not so! This discovery put me on the path of time-consuming procedures and processes to pursue my licensing and certification in order to be able to teach in Ontario. One obstacle after another appeared as I attempted to procure the necessary documents and after 18 months of many unsuccessful applications, I was still struggling to become certified to teach in Ontario. My knowledge of Canadian teaching resumes and cover letters proved to be one of the difficulties I would have to overcome. But who would give me, or take a chance on an “outsider,” to prove that I was a great teacher with lots of experience in a multicultural setting. At times, it became so frustrating and demoralizing that I thought of giving up and finding something else to do just to survive in my new country.
Then miraculously things turned around and revived my hope again. Being a teacher by profession, I loved to teach and was willing to go to great lengths to be able to pursue my dream. My wife, who was a Registered Nurse in South Africa and who has had the same struggles in her certification process, saw a small advertisement in a magazine for newcomers. From this advertisement we saw that Skills for Change prepared Internationally Trained Teachers to teach in Ontario. Immediately, I contacted them and soon I was sitting in an orientation session where I was taken through the steps that had to be taken to teach in Ontario and the services that the Teach in Ontario program provided. The Teach in Ontario services included Intermediate and Advanced Language Upgrading Courses and the Employment Preparation Program (STIC).
After a few weeks of waiting, I was informed that I could join the STIC course. Excited about this new surge of positive change, I waited for the big day. The first day was an experience I shall never forget. Getting to know the GO Trains, TTC subway, and streetcars from Hamilton to Toronto was a life-changing experience all in itself! During the Employment Preparation Course we laboured through our three workbooks, in groups, individually and as a class to open the vast amount of intensive knowledge that we were to discover and acquaint ourselves with. Discussions, presentations and direct instruction equipped us as we went along, allowing us to move from a fearful situation to a celebration, from scratch to the pinnacle of the mountain that lay in front of us. The facilitators led us daily and equipped each of the teachers to be able to face the "new" system. We incorporated and learned of aspects such as Philosophy of Education, Planning and Preparation, Classroom Management, and Special Education, to mention but a few. Guest speakers to the program furthered our insight.
Soon our six weeks were over and the only thing that remained was our graduation. The atmosphere was relaxed and jubilant. Everybody was laughing and colourful in the different clothing that we wore. Speeches were made and kept short, certificates handed out, and then the feasting on different foods from all over the world started. Many indulged in more than one helping as there were too many dishes to accommodate on one plate. Late that afternoon we had to say our goodbyes and everybody departed in high spirits looking forward to be called for that important interview.
We as teachers of STIC Class 19 owe much to:
• Skills for Change
• The Teach in Ontario team and supporters
• The Government of Ontario for sponsoring the program
Our deepest sense of gratitude and sincere thanks to all that played a role in forming us so that we can now bury our fear, face Ontario classrooms with confidence, and bring our expertise into a great education system in building the future of our new country. Be assured that the Teach in Ontario team will all be remembered and cherished in years to come. I am optimistic and sure that we have now been given the chance of becoming simply Canadians. May this informative and empowering course grow from strength to strength.
Lastly, I would like to express my humble opinion that the Minister of Education should not only be aware of this service rendered to immigrants but that she should promote it and make it compulsory and ongoing as highly educated individuals are incorporated more and more into the socio-economic sphere of Canada. As individuals and as a team, we will be playing an ever-growing and more prominent role in the future as the demographics change. It takes two hands to clean your hands and I feel that by joining our "washing" power we can and will ensure a great future in education.