ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

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ETFO Union School

The ETFO Union School is a centrepiece of ETFO’s 
leadership training, focused on building lead-
ership skills, advocacy and mobilization skills 
among local leaders. Union School participants 
engage in a wide range of union-focused learning 
through assignments, working in face-to-face ses-
sions and online. Participants continued to con-
tribute to the ETFO Union History Wiki at http://
etfounionhistory.ca/, which provides a history of 
ETFO and the labour movement, and an analysis 
of the impact unions have had on society. They 
researched and posted stories of local advocacy 
successes, providing a compelling story of how 
local efforts by union leaders and activists have 
created positive change for ETFO members.

PROMOTING UNION VALUES

Completing practicum projects provided partici-
pants the opportunity to practice their leadership 
skills in their locals. Some of the projects includ-
ed: engaging members through social media; 
establishing and developing a three-year plan 
for a Social Justice Committee; creating a website 
for designated early childhood educator (DECE) 
members; engaging the local with the broader 
labour movement; creating a toolkit for stewards; 
and extending a previous year’s project within 
the same local on member engagement. The 
work done through Union School practicums 
within the locals is a key piece in continuing to 
build member engagement and advocacy.  

Photo: Anne de Haas