Navigating the complexities of the education system involves more than just teaching—it requires understanding various acronyms and systems that impact your career and financial future. In part two of our series on demystifying education acronyms, we delve into the roles of unions and your pension plan. Understanding these components early on can pave the way for informed decisions that shape your long-term career goals in education.
When you begin your teaching career, you typically start at the entry-level position on the pay scale, progressing annually until you reach the maximum after ten years of experience. Advancing in your career often means earning higher wages by enhancing your teaching qualifications (see part 1 of this post for information on AQ’s and ABQ’s). However what we as teachers net versus what we gross differs more than other occupations. This is because of your benefits, union dues, OCT fees and pension. Having an understanding of what these are before you start teaching will help you understand where your money is going and how it is working towards your future.
Before you accept an LTO or permanent position, you will need to have your educational qualifications evaluated by QECO. After going through the application process, you will then receive an official certificate of your rating that will position you on your board’s salary grid.
You do not have to have a teaching position to start this process, the application is filled out on the website, is easy to follow and they offer great support.
The goal of many educators is to continue to take AQ’s until they reach the A4 rating through QECO. As you take more courses, you can reapply to QECO for a higher level. More information can be found on their website.
Depending on what board and panel you decide to teach in, will determine which Union your fees will go to. In Ontario, you must be part of one of the Public Education Unions.
The Provincial Unions include: Ontario Secondary Schools Teacher Federation (OSSTF), Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers (AEFO), Ontario English Catholics Teachers’ Associate (OECTA).
Your “local,” meaning the branch of the provincial union in your geographical area will also collect fees from you. You automatically become a member of both the provincial and local, both protecting workers' rights for all of Ontario and then more specific issues at the local level.
You will often hear about the exciting investments of the OTPP including vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake and part of Maple Leaf Entertainment. Every year around October, the OTPP will send you a report on earnings over the last year. When logged in, the website offers great information including the date you can retire with full pension. It's never too soon to start planning! As with OCT, get to know what your Union and OTPP have to offer you, this can include more teachers discounts.
When you start a job with a board you will be asked to meet with Employee Service or Human Resources, whatever your board calls this group, and learn about your life insurance and your health/ dental coverage. This too may impact your net income. Watch this space for more Acronyms, next time all around Teacher Appraisals!