8th Annual FilCan teachers confab held in Toronto

8th Annual FilCan teachers confab held in Toronto

Meeting meaningfully its mission and mandate to engage and assist productively Filipino Canadian  practicing and prospective teachers in Ontario schools in respect of their professional development and certification, the Philippine Teachers Association of Canada ( PTAC) held its 8th Annual Teachers Conference on Nov. 8, 2014 (Saturday) at The Finch-Bathurst Community Hub, #540 Finch Avenue West, North York.

The conference, with its theme: “Education Career Re-Connection: Employment Challenges and Realities,” was aimed specifically at providing insights and information regarding: Ontario teacher certification, career building in teaching and education, teacher mental health, and classroom oral-communication skills for Filipino educators and other internationally-trained teachers.

Speakers and Presenters invited to the conference were Dr. Michael Salvatori, CEO and Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers-the province’s teacher regulatory agency, Cr. Maria Bismonte, a FilCan practicing psychiatrist and Diana Biacora, a teacher from Pope John Paul Catholic Secondary School, TCDSB. Additionally, a panel of experienced teachers from GTA public-and-Catholic schools composed of Alice Marie Bayog-Tesoro, Gary Camu, Donna Scutariu, Marissa Ciacico, Ruffy Cadiz, Vicky Calano,Tony A. San Juan and Rose Apilado  provided professional advice and best teaching strategies through an engaging moderated round-table session.

Attended by over 70 participants, the whole day free event was jointly sponsored anew by PTAC and Kababayan Multicultural Centre (KMC), a 37-year settlement and integration service agency in the GTA. KMC is headed by Executive Director Flor Dandal, Board Chair Ricky Esguerra, Board member Aguido Dela Cruz and  settlement counsellors  Amelia Basingan and Loida Gatchalian and other staff and volunteers.

PTAC, organized in 2006, is composed of Ontario licensed and practicing FilCan teachers and former educators from the Philippines.The socio-professional group is led by prexy Boni Curutan, vice presidents Cielito Drapeza, Maricon Bernasor, Bernadette Gapuz, Red Andres and supported by Joel Pine, Perly Laganas, Mila Curutan, Joan Ang-Masagca, Trinidad Andres, Rowell Perez, France Ampioco, Grace Dela Reyna, Grace Avila-Basconcillo, Jujelyn Lescano-Brown and Maripaz Madarang.

(T. San Juan, PRESS RELEASE)