Home
FUTURE STUDENTS ask.UWindsor SUPPORT UWINDSOR
Faculty of Education
Three bachelor of education students standing in front of a chalkboard

Information for Teacher Candidates

2024-25 Academic Year

Student mental health and well-being is a top priority across the province. Good mental health is fundamental for students to learn, succeed and reach their full potential. To support student mental health across Ontario, the Ministry of Education has developed a series of mandatory teacher-led mental health literacy modules. This includes Mental Health Literacy Modules for Grades 7 and 8 and Mental Health Literacy Modules for Career Studies (GLC2O).

The modules are intended to be a teacher-led only resource, for the purposes of providing guided instruction on mental health literacy for Grades 7 and 8 students and secondary students. These modules are not intended to be completed by students independently.

To access the modules, please email the Mental Health Branch at the Ministry of Education, at studentmentalhealth@ontario.ca, where additional details will be provided.

Read the full memo from the Ministry of Education regarding Mental Health Literacy Modules | Modules de littéraire en santé mentale.

On May 30, 2024, the Government of Ontario announced that the MPT will be reinstated as a certification requirement for teachers in Ontario as of February 1, 2025. All applicants who complete their application to the College for a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) on or after February 1, 2025, must successfully pass the MPT. This applies whether or not the applicant began their application prior to February 1, 2025.

An application is only considered complete when the College receives:

  • all required documentation, including proof of completion of an initial teacher education program, to the satisfaction of the Registrar.

Applicants who have submitted a complete application prior to February 1, 2025, will not be required to pass the MPT. 

Read the full memo from the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) (English).

More Information

Required Program Documents (Instructions for)

Transitional Certificate Policy
Updated: September 11, 2024

Transitional Teaching Certificate

A Transitional Certificate enables Ontario Teacher Candidates to be employed as teachers while completing their initial teacher education program. Up to 20 days of this teaching experience may be used to satisfy practicum requirements.

A Transitional Certificate is valid for 18 months, with the potential of a one-time, six-month extension granted by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), as long as the member maintains their membership in good standing. It may be converted into a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration when the OCT receives a teacher education transcript and report from Faculty confirming the applicants’ program completion/degree conferral.

As a University of Windsor Teacher Candidate, you are eligible to apply for the Transitional Certificate if you meet all of the below requirements:

  1. You have completed all requirements for your undergraduate degree;
  2. You have successfully completed your entire first year of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program, including semester 1 and semester 2, and at least 40 days of practicum.  

Teacher Candidates are responsible for applying for the Transitional Certificate through the OCT. Once you have applied for your Transitional Certificate, you must submit your 6-digit OCT number to tempcert@uwindsor.ca.  

See also: https://www.oct.ca/en/becoming-a-teacher/requirements/transitional-certificate

Eligible Teacher Candidates wishing to apply for the Transitional Teaching Certificate are to note the following:

The Teacher Candidate is responsible for: 

  • Completion of online application and declaration with OCT
  • Submission of the 6-digit OCT number to tempcert@uwindsor.ca
  • Requesting an official transcript is sent to the OCT through the Office of the Registrar
  • Requesting the Faculty Report 
  • Completion of Sexual Abuse Prevention Program
  • In order to be granted a transitional certificate, applicants must pay all necessary fees and meet all other applicable certification requirements.

All Concurrent B.Ed. Teacher Candidates will require a letter from the Office of the Registrar that confirms all undergraduate degree requirements are complete. Please note the following: 

  • A $15 fee will apply.
  • The request for the letter should be emailed to sustainment@uwindsor.ca with the subject “OCT Transitional Certificate” and contain the following information: 
    • Name, Student Number, Program of Study, and OCT Number. 
  • Please allow one to two weeks for processing.

The Faculty of Education is responsible for:

  • Submission of Faculty Report
  • The Faculty of Education will verify that each applicant has met the Transitional Certificate requirements.

No Teacher Candidate will be recommended for the transitional teaching certificate if they have failed a course or received final grades below 60% in three courses, have failed a practicum placement, have an unresolved file before the Professional Standards Committee, or are currently the subject of a University of Windsor investigation regarding either academic or non-academic misconduct.  

In the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor, the following shall apply:

  • Teacher Candidates holding a transitional certificate may act as an emergency occasional teacher as part of their designated practicum placement only within the same school as their practicum placement.
  • In the event that a Long-Term Occasional position becomes available in another school (during or outside their normal practicum placement location), and the Teacher Candidate is identified as a possible fit, the school board and the Faculty of Education must come to agreement as to whether this alternate plan is appropriate in the situation.  Teacher Candidates would be asked to provide a copy of their valid transitional certificate, as well as details of the teaching assignment to the Field Experience Office.  If the assignment is deemed appropriate by the Associate Dean, Teacher Education, the Teacher Candidate would be required to keep a detailed record of the completed LTO time on a dedicated form provided by the Field Experience Office.  Following the completion of the scheduled placement block, the form must be signed by the Principal and submitted to the Field Experience Office for official recording purposes.  The Principal will also be asked to formally evaluate the candidate’s teaching with the completion of the Faculty of Education’s Summative Assessment.
  • As per agreements with our school board partners, all placement arrangements are made by and through the Field Experience Office.  Teacher Candidates must meet division and subject area requirements by the completion of their program to be eligible for a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration, but the 20 days under the transitional teaching certificate need not be in the division and subject area.
  • Please Note: Even when in possession of a valid transitional teaching certificate, Teacher Candidates may not take paid teaching work during scheduled class time or other required activities of the B.Ed. program (e.g., PLS).  Regular attendance of all classes is mandatory in the Faculty of Education.  Chronic attendance concerns, including taking paid employment in non-compliance with Faculty of Education policy, may provide grounds for requiring a Teacher Candidate to withdraw from the program.
  • Under no circumstances will paid teaching work taken without a valid transitional teaching certificate be counted toward practicum requirements.

*Teacher Candidates in the Technological Studies program normally apply to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for a Multi-Sessional Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration.  Questions pertaining to the Technological Studies program should be directed to the Coordinator of the Technological Studies program (Tim.Tiegs@uwindsor.ca)

Student Mental Health Resources
Updated: April 11, 2024

Good2Talk provides free, 24/7 single-session professional counselling and referral by phone to post-secondary students in Ontario.  Services are provided in English and French, with translation services available in 100+ languages. 

  • Call: 1-866-925-5454 (reach professional counsellors) 
  • Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868 (reach trained volunteers) 

The Student Counselling Centre (SCC) offers appointment-based professional counselling for UWindsor students Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The SCC offers single session appointments, short-term therapy, and group therapy. Students can schedule an intake appointment by emailing scc@uwindsor.ca or by calling 519-253-3000 ext. 4616. The SCC is located on the second floor of the Student Centre, Room 293.

See also: It Matters that You're Here. Supporting Students. 9-8-8

Back to Top  

Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
Updated: April 17, 2024

Read First: Important Information

All University of Windsor Faculty of Education students in all teacher education programs (Concurrent, Consecutive, and Technological Studies) are required to obtain an original Level 3: Police Clearance with Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) once a year and every year while in-program. This process must be completed before you enter a school for practicum and/or volunteer hours. 

If your most recent PVSC is dated May 31st, 2024 or earlier, it is considered invalid for the 2024 academic year in accordance with program regulations. 

Application and Submission Instructions:

1. Search results must not be dated earlier than June 1st, 2024.

2. The deadline to submit your PVSC to the Faculty is Friday, August 30th, 2024, without exception. You will not be assigned a practicum placement and/or approved for volunteer hours until the Faculty has your current/valid and negative (clear) PVSC results.

3. Students will be required to upload a copy of their Level 3: Police Vulnerable Sector Check via the new Faculty of Education online system: Sonia. Please be sure to check your UWindsor email frequently over the summer for instructions on how to get logged into Sonia to upload documents and complete forms. Please note: Some police agencies provide password-protected electronic results. In such cases, it is your responsibility to download your clearance and save the document to your computer/device.

4. Please retain your original document and copies. You must have a copy with you at all times in a school. A principal may request that you present your copy at any time.

Note:

  • Criminal Record Checks (CRC) and clearances provided by the Ontario Education Services Corporation (OESC) are not accepted
  • Any/all associated fees are the direct responsibility of the Teacher Candidate
  • If you are under 18 years of age and thus ineligible to obtain a PVSC, please obtain submit a PVSC once you are eligible
  • Students who do not submit required documentation by specified deadlines may be at-risk for program removal

If you have questions about the PVSC, please contact the Faculty of Education Office directly through one of the following methods:

Telephone: 519-253-3000 ext. 3869
E-mail: educforms@uwindsor.ca

Back to Top

Police Service Agencies

Your PVSC must be obtained from the police service agency where you currently reside. We strongly advise you to begin this process as soon as possible as processing times vary between agencies and can take from two weeks to three months to obtain.

Some agencies require a letter from the Faculty of Education that indicates the reason(s) for a PVSC request. If applicable, you must complete and submit the agency letter specific to your area in addition to your PVSC application.

Below are instructions, agency letters and related links to some local and commonly-accessed police service agencies.  This list is not exhaustive. If your area's agency is not listed, please contact your local agency directly for further instructions and assistance.

Aylmer Police Service

For current residents of Aylmer, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Aylmer Police, you must be a resident of Alymer to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online or in-person.

For additional information, please contact Aylmer Police at (519) 773-3146 or email aylmer@policesolutions.ca.  Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Brantford Police Service

For current residents of Brantford, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Brantford Police, you must be a resident of Brantford to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online or in-person.

For additional information, please contact Brantford Police Service at 519-756-0113 ext. 3336 or email brantford@policesolutions.ca. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Chatham-Kent Police Service

For current residents of Chatham, ON and *surrounding areas

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Chatham-Kent Police Service, you must be a resident of Chatham or a *surrounding area to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency.  2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online.

*surrounding areas: Blenheim, Bothwell, Chatham, Lachlan, Coatsworth, Dover Centre, Dresden, Erie Bach, Erieau, Grande Pointe, Highgate, Kent Bridge, Merlin, Mitchell’s Bay, Morpeth, North Buxton, Pain Court, Ridgetown, Shrewsbury, South Buxton, Thamesville, Tilbury, Wheatley)

For additional information, please contact Chatham-Kent Police Service at 519-436-6600 or email chatham-kent@policesolutions.ca. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Durham Regional Police Service

For current residents of Durham, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Durham Regional Police, you must be a resident of the Durham region to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications must be completed online. 

Back to Top

Hamilton Police Service

For current residents of Hamilton, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Hamilton Police, you must be a resident of Hamilton to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online or in-person.

For additional information, please contact Hamilton Police Service at (905) 546-4772 (Central Station) / (905) 546-2929 (East End Station) / (905) 546-4930 (Mountain Station) or email info@hamiltonpolice.on.ca. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

LaSalle Police Service

For current residents of LaSalle, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the LaSalle Police Service, you must be a resident of the town of LaSalle to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency.  2 forms of Government Identification and an Agency letter are required. Applications can be completed online

For additional information, please contact Rachelle Wengrzynski at 519-969-5210 ext. 2062. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

London Police Service

For current residents of London, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the London Police Service, you must be a resident of London to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency.  2 forms of Government Identification are required. The Records Check office is available by appointment only or applications can be completed online.

For additional information, London Police Service at 519-661-5515 ext. 4788. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

For current residents of Tecumseh, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), you must be a resident of an area governed by OPP to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC). Applications can be completed online and an Agency Letter is required along with 2 forms of Government Identification.  

To find a detachment in your area, click here.

Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Peel Regional Police Service

For current residents of Mississauga and Brampton, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC in Peel Region, you must be a resident of Mississauga or Brampton to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online or in-person at Sir Robert Peel Centre, Brampton or 11 Division, Mississauga.

For additional information, please contact Peel Police Service at 905-453-2121 ext. 4390 (Brampton)/ 905-453-2121 ext. 2635 (Mississauga). Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Sarnia Police Service

For current residents of Sarnia, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Sarnia Police Service, you must be a resident of Sarnia to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency.  2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online.

For additional information, please contact Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861 ext. 5265. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

St. Thomas Police Service

For current residents of St. Thomas, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the St. Thomas Police Service, you must be a resident of St. Thomas to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency.  2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online or in-person Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

For additional information, please contact St. Thomas Police Service at 519-631-1224 or email stthomas@policesolutions.ca.  Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Toronto Police Service

For current residents of Toronto, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Toronto Police, you must be a resident of Toronto.

To apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check, you must create an account and provide an Agency code.  Please request the Agency code by sending an email educforms@uwindsor.ca

For additional information, please contact Toronto Police, Records Management Service Unit at 416-808-8244 or email Toronto Police Service. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Windsor Police Service

For current residents of Windsor and Amherstburg, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC via the Windsor Police Service, you must be a current resident of Windsor or the Town of Amherstburg to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online.

For additional information, please contact Windsor Police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4129. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Please note that official PVSC results are uploaded to your online account. You are responsible for downloading the official results and submitting a copy to the Field Experience Office.

Back to Top

Woodstock Police Service

For current residents of Woodstock, ON

Applications for police record checks can be submitted online or in person. In-person applications can be made Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Record checks typically take 5 business days to process.

One piece of government-issued photo identification, as well as proof of residency within the city of Woodstock is required. 

Email recordchecks@woodstockpolice.ca if you have any questions. 

York Regional Police Service

For current residents of York Region, ON

For students obtaining their PVSC in the York Region, you must be a resident of the York region to apply for a Level 3: Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) through this agency. 2 forms of Government Identification are required. Applications can be completed online or in-person.

For additional information, please contact York Regional Police at 1-866-823-3334 ext. 7655. Teacher Candidates are responsible for all fees/costs required for the PVSC application process.

Back to Top

Tuberculin (TB) Test Requirements
Updated: July 24, 2024

All teacher Candidates must have proof of clear (negative) TB test results before entering a school.  You are required to complete a "one-step" (Mantoux) TB test. If your results are positive, you will be required to complete the second step, which is a chest x-ray.  

Instructions

1. Year 1 Consecutive, Year 1 Technological Studies, and Years 1, 3, and 5 Concurrent students: You are required to submit test results by the specified deadline. Your results must be dated June 1st,  2024 or later. Results are valid for a two (2)-year period in the Faculty. 

Year 2 Consecutive and Year 3 Psychology/ECE/BEd students (those who completed the ECE program at St. Clair College in 2023): If your most recent results are dated June 1st,  2023 or later, you do not need to submit new results to the Faculty this year. 

2. The deadline to submit your completed results form to the Faculty is Friday, August 30th, 2024, without exception. You will not be assigned a practicum placement and/or approved for volunteer hours until the Faculty has your current/valid and negative (clear) test results. Students who do not submit required documentation by specified deadlines may be at-risk for program removal

3. Please print and bring the Tuberculin (TB) Test Results Form (also hyperlinked above) to your appointment. This Form must be stamped and signed by the health care clinician administering your test/results

4. Students will be required to upload a copy of their TB Test Results (if applicable) via the new Faculty of Education online system: Sonia. Please be sure to check your UWindsor email frequently over the summer for instructions on how to get logged into Sonia to upload documents and complete forms. 

5. Please retain the original document in a secure location

Back to Top

Health and Safety Training 
Updated: July 25, 2024

All University of Windsor Faculty of Education students in all teacher education programs (Concurrent, Consecutive, and Technological Studies) are required to complete the Health and Safety training steps and modules listed below.  Even if you completed same/similar training in the past, it must be completed once a year and every year while in-program.

NOTE: In the event we are notified by the board office that there is revised/updated training modules, students will be required to complete additional training.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act includes post-secondary students, completing placements, in the definition of a “worker.” (“A person who performs work or supplies services for no monetary compensation under a program approved by a college of applied arts and technology, university or other post-secondary institution”).  It is for this reason that our partner school boards have mandated training for all Teacher Candidates prior to entry into the schools.

All students must satisfy all Health and Safety training requirements prior to beginning practicum (EDUC 5499) or volunteer hours (EDUC 1199/2299). The deadline to complete all training modules, and upload your Certificate of Completion  Form to the Faculty of Education online system is Friday, August 30th, 2024. 

You must complete all of the following modules/steps:

  1. Worker Health & Safety Awareness in 4 Steps training video
    Certificate of Completion (due Friday, August 30th, 2024)  Upon completion of the training video, you will receive a "Worker Health & Safety Awareness in 4 Steps" Certificate of Completion.  Please save this certificate to your computer/device before exiting the module. The Ministry of Labour will not store your certificate, or keep a record of training. You are required to retain a copy of your certificate for your records. 
  2. Health and Safety Baseline Orientation Training 
  3. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training
  4. Workplace Harassment Training 
  5. Workplace Violence Prevention Management Program (WVPMP) Training 
  6. AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Training
  7. Fire Safety Plan Training
  8. Job Specific training. Either:

​a) ​Elementary Teachers Job Specific Hazards & Prevention Training (P/J division)
OR
b) Secondary Teachers Job Specific Hazards and Prevention Training (I/S division)

Students will be required to upload a copy of their Certificate of Completion via the new Faculty of Education online system: Sonia (due Friday, August 30th, 2024)  and, also confirm/verify that Training modules #2 – 8 have been completed.

 

File Attachments: 
Attachment
uwindsor-campus-community-support-resources_2023.pdf