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June 8, 2017

Summer Leadership Conference

Local TTOC contacts, check your calendars. The BCTF annual Summer Leadership Conference will be held from August 22–25 at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops. Each local can send representatives to this conference, including your local TTOC representative. Attendees will engage in electives around social justice, union business and structure, pedagogy, health and safety, grievances, and more. It’s a packed series of days at TRU, including guest speakers, a banquet, and a dance that is not to be missed! Check with your local about how to attend; you may already be invited!

Experience credit for part-time teachers

There are two opportunities in the year for members to transfer their experience as TTOCs across to their contract experience. Think of it like filling up one tank from another. You can do this in June and November. Here are the particulars: LOU 16(c) 1. Transfer of experience is only from TTOC silo to contract silo. 2. Transfer can only be made in whole months (17 days of TTOC

experience). 3. Transfer is for the entire amount in a TTOC bank with the

exception of any days left over from whole month calculations (1–16 days).

4. One month TTOC credit will count as one month in the contract silo when transferred.

5. Transfer must be applied for before June 30 to take effect August 31, and before November 15 to take effect December 31.

6. Use Form A to apply in June and Form B to apply in November. How this looks in locals will vary—some human resources departments do things differently than others. Check with your Local President for procedures.

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SuperTeach! Hi SuperTeach,

I’ve been TTOCing for a while, and for the past year I’ve been working in two districts. Now that there are more jobs available, I’m looking to get my first contract, but I am not really sure how to tell what the differences are between each district. Do you have any advice on how to learn about different districts? Also, the restored language has me a bit confused. Is it the same in every district? How can I tell?

Thanks! Looking to Learn Hi Looking to Learn, Each district has its own collective agreement, which means that there are differences between each district. Things like benefits, professional development funding, and other provisions will vary depending on where you work. To see each district’s collective agreement, you log onto the membership portal. You’ll see the Services and Resources section on the left; this section includes a subcategory titled Collective Agreements, where you can access every collective agreement from across the province. Every district also has different restored language, which is an amalgamation of locally and provincially bargained language. Many locals also have provisions for class size and composition that are specific to their local. When you log into the portal, the main page has a section on the right titled Class Size and Composition Fact Sheets, which will make it easy to see the differences between locals. Lastly, you can always contact the Local President if you have questions. Even if you are not yet a member, local unions are always able to answer questions! SuperTeach

Professional development opportunity

Attend PSA Super Conference October 20–21, 2017 in Vancouver, BC. Registration is now open, so register early to save your spot!

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Registration for Super Conference includes: • two full days overflowing with interactive, inspirational, and highly applicable professional

learning opportunities created by 25 BC PSAs • over 30 remarkable keynote presentations on big ideas from every subject area, including brain

research, digital literacy, inclusion, and more • your choice from hundreds of sessions offered in a variety of formats, including lectures and

hands-on learning opportunities presented at the Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Vancouver, Telus World of Science, and Stanley Park Ecology Society

• access to a massive exhibitor hall featuring the latest educational products and services. • unlimited networking opportunities with nearly 6,000 BC educators • optional one-year membership to the PSA of your choice (additional charge).

Register here: www.psasuperconference.ca

BCTF workshops It’s never too early to start booking BCTF workshops for the 2017–18 school year! The BCTF provides members, locals, and even pre-service teachers with several workshops and training opportunities facilitated by trained teachers within their areas of specialty. Workshops require at least three weeks’ notice and, in general, at least 15 participants consisting of teachers or similar groups of staff. The facilitators’ costs are covered by the Federation.

There are two types of workshops:

1. School Union Rep Training (SURT) workshops are booked through the Local President and provide release time for attendees. Each local can book up to four SURTs per year, however, the 2017 AGM passed the following resolution: That the BCTF encourage locals that do not use all four Staff Union Rep Training days that they offer the New Teacher SURT each year, and those who do use all four have access to a grant to offer a fifth SURT day every other year to put on this SURT. Talk to your local president about booking the New Teacher SURT.

New Teachers (5 hours)

Modules may be selected from this workshop or the complete workshop can be presented.

This workshop may also be booked in conjunction with a New Teacher Induction ceremony. This new workshop introduces new members to the local union and the BCTF. It introduces new members to the collective agreement and highlights sections most relevant to new members. It explores the responsibilities and challenges of maintaining positive professional relations with students, parents and colleagues. It builds awareness about professional issues such as professional development and professional autonomy. It promotes the work of the union and encourages new members to participate in the union. The economic, social and democratic contributions that unions have made to Canadian society are included in this workshop.

Click here to book this workshop.

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2. Professional and Social Issues workshops can be requested for professional development days or conferences. Workshops are either three or five hours in length, and can be tailored to suit local requests. There is no release time provided for these workshops, but the BCTF will provide the facilitator free of charge. Workshops can be booked online using the link at the bottom of each workshop description. Below are some workshops that may be of interest to TTOCs.

Employment Insurance: Navigating the EI

Claim Process (2 hours)

This seminar helps TTOCs understand the steps to follow in applying for, and obtaining, EI benefits.

Click here to book this workshop.

Reality 101: A Day in the Life of a TTOC (90 minutes to 2 hours)

This workshop is designed to support teachers teaching on call with current teaching practices and resources, and to enhance their confidence in their professional status.

Click here to book this workshop.

Work-life Balance for TTOCs (90 minutes to 2 hours)

Cell phones are attached to TTOCs! Call outs from the board can happen at any time. Call out is uncertain, the grade/subject that TTOCs will be called out for on any day is uncertain. This workshop is designed specifically for TTOCs and offers strategies for maintaining work-life balance in a particularly stressful role. Setting attainable and realistic goals are a feature of this workshop.

Click here to book this workshop

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Classroom Management for TTOCs (2–3 hours)

TTOCs must establish rapport with students quickly and use management strategies that work immediately. The workshop will explore the basics of classroom management and how TTOCs can adapt them for their work. Practical strategies for creating a positive environment and taking constructive action with individual students will be explored.

Click here to book this workshop.

More information on these and other workshops can be found here. Workshops can be booked by using the link at the bottom of each workshop description. Still have questions? Contact the BCTF Professional and Social Issues Division: Jenny Garrels, 604-871-1871 or jgarrels@bctf.ca.

Do you want to save money?

The BCTF has a program for you! Go to the bctf.ca website and click on BCTF Advantage on the left side of the page to access many discount offers, including discounted cell phone plans and gym memberships, optional extended health insurance, and discounts at many retailers. You can also download the Endless Savings & More app from the marketplace section, which will give you access to many additional discounts depending on your phone’s GPS location. Take “Advantage” of these savings!

TTOC Advisory Committee Below is your 2016–17 TTOC Advisory Committee in front of the wonderful new mural by Nora Patrich, commissioned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BCTF. Nora is a celebrated artist who has done many murals here in Vancouver and in her homeland of Argentina. The mural is very symbolic and celebrates teaching and the BCTF’s advocacy work. If you are in the BCTF building, make sure you go to the third floor to see this beautiful work of art.

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From left: Carole Berube (Salmon Arm), Lynn Patterson (Williams Lake), Alexa Bennett Fox (North Vancouver), Colin Bailey (Port Alberni), Wendy Fontaine (Fort St John), Katelyn Watkinson (Port Hardy), Brett Jasch, Committee Chair (Sunshine Coast), Rae Figursky (BCTF Executive Committee), Mark Morrison (Victoria). Missing from picture: Hilaire Ford (Maple Ridge).

Jenny Garrels Assistant Director

Professional and Social Issues Division British Columbia Teachers’ Federation

100-550 West 6th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2

604-871-1871 jgarrels@bctf.ca

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