It is a well-accepted axiom and an excellent practice that engaging in credible preparation is a key element to ensure a successful execution of any concurrent undertaking  or prospective endeavour. Corollarily, in meeting its established vision and mandate to help out its kababayan- members specifically on professional employment preparation, the Philippine Teachers Association of Canada ( PTAC) conducted its 2nd Annual Career Consultation Forum. The consultative panel discussion was held on October 22nd, 2011 at Time Zone Resto, a Pinoy restaurant in North York, Toronto.

Public and Catholic school boards in Ontario at this stage, just barely two months after schools opened in September, are now gearing for secondary and elementary teacher recruitment process for next school year 2012-2013 as part of its annual excercise. Procedurally, school boards commence their teacher hiring procedures in early January for their September staffing. In anticipation and to reasonably prepare for this challenge, PTAC had timely offered the career forum as an opportunity for Philippine trained educators to receive valuable advice and understand first-hand information, vis a vis on : various school boards' hiring procedures; effective skills and strategies in board- and-school level interviews; alternative careers and opportunities in the education-related sector; matching professional & academic teaching qualifications to school program requirements; and the teacher employment market situation.


Attended by 45 Ontario College of Teachers- licensed, active & new members of PTAC and former Philippine trained educators and teachers as well, the yearly career roundtable forum, this time, is generously sponsored by the Durham Centre for Excellence ( D' Centex). The Centre is a charity registered community-based hub and provider of immigrants' settlement, adjustment, and integration services in the GTA and Durham Region and was ably represented by its Vice Chairman, Lani M. Cuevas and Co-founder Elena Aguilar.
Among the notable Filipino Canadian education professionals who served in the open panel are :Herman Viloria, principal of Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School, DPCDSB; Max Comia, retired heritage languages & special education specialist, TCDSB; Dr. Ramon Morales, interdisciplinary studies professor, Durham College; Jerry Arroz, junior division chair, Heritage Park Public School, TDSB; Virginia Parucha, intermediate teacher, St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School, TCDSB; Regina Lozano-Nuguid, Mathematics teacher, T.L. Kennedy Secondary School, PDSB; and Isagani Castillo, academic director of Ontario Health Care Academy, Toronto.


PTAC president Tony A. San Juan,a TDSB teacher and former professor of education in Nigeria and the Philippines announced during the Forum of the Association's planned follow-up professional seminar to be held in early Spring, 2012. San Juan likewise invited the participants to PTAC's upcoming Pre-Christmas Party and Appreciation Night on November 19th, 2011( Saturday) at St. John Polish Catholic Cathedral parish hall at:
# 186 Cowan Street, Queen St. West area, Toronto.


 
The event steering committee, chaired by of Elena Aguilar, is composed of Myrna Alforte and Mel Tumamao, Jr. The Forum moderators are: Cielito Drapeza, Redentor Andres and Joan Ang while the programme hosts are Jesse Panem and Jun Tumamao.The other coordinating members of the event include : Grace Avila, Sheryl Baoit, Ruvy Bendoy, Maricon Bernasor, May Rose Cacdac, Pet Collantes, Rose Cruz, Boni & Mila Curutan, Dr. Norman Daroy, Bernadette Gapuz and Gigi Nicholas. PTAC aspires to continue its desirable education role as a solid player and participant in the ever-growing Filipino Canadian community in Ontario.(tsj)

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine