I took a Learning to Read course a few years ago. It was a great course. It gave me several resources that I use to this day, excellent professional development reading and of course, the opportunity to discuss and listen to other teachers.

I have taken 12 of the ETFO Credit Courses. These courses are by far the most beneficial and practical teaching courses I have taken. Content is so applicable to any classroom setting, and although the course content is based on top level research, the material isn’t dry. Activities are engaging and the course material allows for much discussion with other colleagues taking the class.

The course gave me lots of amazing and useable suggestions and ideas – Fantastic experience!!

[Our instructor] balances her incredible knowledge of each course’s content with a collaborative “let’s-learn-with-each-other” attitude.  Throughout each course, we are encouraged to reflect on our current classroom practices and think about where and when we can incorporate new ideas into our classes.  [This course] inspires me to think outside of traditional paper and pencil activities and make learning fun, exciting and inspiring for my students.

I love these courses! [The instructor] makes learning the subject matter fun and interesting. I’m also grateful for all the practical ideas I take from the courses.

MAGIC brings out creativity that you never knew you had. Activities can be implemented immediately and enjoyed by all.

“Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners” was terrific. The material was delivered in a practical, hands-on manner, with lots of classroom applications included. Marcie’s delivery was enlightening, entertaining, and empowering. She made us all feel like effective educators and classroom managers.

I found the Classroom Management course excellent! It offers many classroom management strategies with a focus on being proactive (behaviour prevention) and using positive reinforcement (rewards).

[Our instructor] fosters a friendly, interactive and dynamic learning experience that only a seasoned teacher of 20 years can create. She seamlessly makes real-life applications to the course key learning objectives.

I learned many fun ways to teach my lessons. I have used many of the MAGIC activities during my occasional teaching and they worked hook, line and sinker!

When I first began as an ETFO Credit Course Instructor some 10 years ago, I had only been teaching for a short time and while I had the qualifications, I was still searching for the secret formula, the magic, that other teachers whom I admired seemed to have. Becoming an ETFO Credit Courses instructor changed everything for me. I not only gained insight into how students learn, what makes an effective teacher, what to actually do in the classroom, with, and for kids, but I also gained confidence in my abilities as a teacher and a leader. What better way to master the skills of teaching than to teach these skills to other teachers? Professionally, becoming an ETFO Credit Course Instructor was the best thing I have every done and I have never looked back.

There are so many very positive and reinforcing testimonials which I have heard about the credit Courses over the past 32 years. There is not one that hasn’t been immediately useful and practical with the teacher and learning in mind always. Over these many years, beginning with one course (Project TEACH), teachers have all indicated that from the first day and after each session, they could take what they learned to the classroom and apply their it the next day.

To me, ETFO Credit Courses focus on the core of sound, innovative, contemporary educational pedagogy. Both new teachers and veterans consistently rate the courses highly using descriptors such as informative, engaging, and highly practical with immediate classroom impact. It is always an honour for me to learn with the many dedicated, talented teachers of our province who continuously seek to enhance their ability to be the best teachers possible.

Teaching these courses has allowed to integrate learning and experiences from my background of teaching, nursing, pyschology, social work, and parenting in a collaborative, reflective, and relaxed atmosphere. Sharing of ideas is encouraged and welcomed so that participants are excited to return to their classrooms with a wealth of strategies and activities that will make a positive and lifelong difference not only in the lives of their students, but also in themselves.