Welcome to Teaching!

When you chose teaching as a career, you became part of a larger community of dedicated professionals 
committed to making a difference.

Whether you are an OT, a DECE or an ESP or PSP, you will find the first few years on the job exciting, 
exhilarating, challenging, and exhausting all at the same time. In the end, we trust you will find teaching 
a rewarding career choice.

The first year can be confusing as you are bombarded with 
information. What do you need to know? Is this important? 
Where can I find the right answers? Sometimes you don’t even 
know what questions to ask. To assist you, ETFO has developed 
this resource to help you find your way through the maze of 
information.

Good luck. Welcome to your new profession and welcome to 
ETFO.

Membership in ETFO

When you signed on as an elementary teacher, an early 
childhood education, or an education worker in your board you 
became a member of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of 
Ontario. ETFO is your protective and professional organization. 
ETFO is your union.

ETFO Human Rights Statement

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is committed to:

O Providing an environment for members that is free from harassment and discrimination at all 

provincial and local Federation sponsored activities;

O Fostering the goodwill and trust necessary to protect the rights of all individuals within the 

organization;

O Neither tolerating nor condoning behavior that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of 

individuals or the integrity of relationships; and

O Promoting mutual respect, understanding, and co-operation as the basis of interaction among all 

members.

Harassment and discrimination on the basis of a prohibited ground are violations of the Ontario Human 
Rights Code

 and are illegal. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will not tolerate any form 

of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code, at provincial or local 
Federation sponsored activities.

“Teaching is the 

one profession 
that makes all 
other professions 
possible.”

Anonymous

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WELCOME TO THE  

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 

2014-2015

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