Committees at Work

Editorial Board

The College’s quarterly award-winning magazine, Professionally Speaking, is delivered to 238,143 Ontario Certified Teachers in either English or French (Pour parler profession). It provides inspiring stories from our members, reports trends in education and regulation, and features in-depth articles, reviews  and resources to enhance professional practice.

The magazine also profiles remarkable teachers who have made a difference in the lives and careers of notable Canadians.

The Editorial Board is responsible for setting editorial and advertising policy for the magazine. The board reviews magazine content prior to publication and provides input into future editions, looking for a balance of subject areas that will interest the College’s diverse membership. Each issue highlights the achievements of teachers whose exemplary approach has earned them municipal, provincial or national acclaim, and provides these award winners with an opportunity to share their teaching philosophies with their colleagues.

Feedback from College members about the content they find most useful in guiding their professional practice helps the Editorial Board continually improve the publication. In 2016, a Professionally Speaking reader survey was sent to 16,000 randomly selected members in good standing, of which 1,276 responses were submitted. A Pour parler profession reader survey was sent to 3,000 French-speaking members, of which 256 responded.

Survey results showed that 83 per cent of English readers were satisfied with the quality of the publication’s content, unchanged from 2013 (the last year a survey was conducted); this number is higher for French readers by seven per cent (90 per cent), consistent with 2013. English readers also continue to enjoy the look and feel of the magazine, with 92 per cent of English readers and 95 per cent of French readers saying they are satisfied with the quality of design and photography.

The features and Great Teaching profiles remain two of the most well-read sections for Professionally Speaking readers, while Pour parler profession readers favour the Great Teaching and Remarkable Teacher profiles, followed by Tech Class.

The documentary-style Great Teaching digital profiles, introduced in 2014, continue to gain traction with both English- and French-speaking members. Seventy-five per cent of English readers and 62 per cent of French readers are either aware or very aware of these vignettes, which were retrofitted in 2016 to meet compliance standards set by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The Great Teaching digital components complement the magazine profiles of the same name, further highlighting award-winning teachers from across the province. Their stories provide recognition for a job well done and an opportunity to share proven techniques that have been met with success.

No Limit to Learning” (March 2016), “Going Social” (June 2016), “Modernizing Teacher Education” (September 2016) and “Creating Inclusive Schools” (December 2016) were cover stories approved by the board in 2016 that were particularly well-received by readers. Other features that generated member interest include “Changing Job Market Holds Promise for OCTs” (March 2016), “Toward Wellness” (June 2016), “Space to Learn” (September 2016) and “Taking Tech to the Next Level” (December 2016). Professionally Speaking also published its first annual supplement on Additional Qualifications (AQs) in the March 2016 issue, highlighting the importance of ongoing professional learning for College members.

The College’s commitment to transparency and accountability is reflected in the Governing Ourselves section of the magazine. Members and the public can read reports about Council, committee and College activities — from conference, annual report and annual meeting highlights to mandatory disciplinary hearing summaries that are part of professional self-regulation.

The board is pleased that the College magazine enjoyed another impressive awards season in 2016. Professionally Speaking collected a record six Canadian Business Media (CBM) Awards in Canadian business journalism (formerly known as the Kenneth R. Wilson Awards) — taking home two golds, four silvers and 16 honourable mentions — the second-highest number of nominations of any publication. The CBM Awards recognize excellence in Canadian business-to-business magazine content.

Professionally Speaking continued the streak at the 2016 Tabbie Awards, picking up six awards (including two golds and one silver). It is the 10th consecutive year that Professionally Speaking emerged a winner at the prestigious Tabbie Awards — presented by TABPI (Trade Association Business Publications International) — which recognize editorial and visual excellence in English-language trade, association and business publications worldwide.

TABPI also named Professionally Speaking eighth among the 95 most acclaimed business-to-business/trade publications in the world — the only Canadian magazine to make the Top 10 in their inaugural “The Big 95” list.

The College’s flagship publication was also runner-up for Trade Magazine of the Year at the 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards — presented by the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors — which honours the high-quality work of editors within the Canadian magazine industry.

The Editorial Board continues to provide guidance on relevant education issues that appeal to readers. They encourage discussion and feedback from College members through content such as the Professional Practice section, book reviews and letters to the editor.

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