***NEW for 2026-2027***
OSSTF D17 TBU
Professional Development Funding Guidelines
Approved by TBU Council June 16, 2026.
1. Member Eligibility:
1.1. An OSSTF D17 Contract teacher (or Continuing Education teachers with at least 330 hours within the past year) in good standing can be funded for professional development opportunities up to $750.00 per school year.
1.2. Member who has not applied for funding during the current school year.
1.3. Member who has not applied for funding from OTBU, SCDSB or another organization for the same expense within the same year.
1.4. A valid Ontario Colleges of Teachers (OCT) number will be required on the application.
2. Professional Development Eligibility:
2.1. When choosing a course, the course must be from an accredited post-secondary institution or an OCT-accredited institution (such as OSSTF, ETFO, or OPC).
2.2. When choosing a conference members should ensure the conference is within the members’ OCT teaching qualifications. Conferences that do NOT directly align with the members’ OCT qualifications may be subject to additional scrutiny by the Educational Services Committee. Detailed justification through documentation or evidence for the purpose of the conference will be required. The Educational Services Committee reserves the right to request additional information.
2.3. Only a conference / workshop / training, that requires time release, within the province of Ontario will be considered for funding.
2.3.1. Special consideration for conferences / workshops / training outside of the province of Ontario may be approved on a case-by-case basis. The Educational Services Committee reserves the right to request additional supporting information.
2.4. Voluntary professional association or membership fees are not eligible if membership is required in order to teach the subject area. For example, fees for the OCT or Skilled Trades Ontario certifications/licensing (e.g., hairstylist licensing) are not permitted.
2.5. D17 TBU funding is NOT available for SCDSB subsidized professional learning. The PD fund is NOT intended to subsidize the SCDSB’s in-service, nor any School Board, or Ministry of Education initiatives. It is intended for D17 TBU members who are self-directing their professional learning.
*This means SCDSB or the Ministry of Education is NOT subsidizing the course or conference for the member to take or attend.
3. Application Process and Timelines:
3.1. Members must submit requests using the OSSTF D17 TBU Application for Professional Development Funding Google Form.
3.2. Applications are reviewed once per month at the Educational Services Committee meeting. See website for meeting dates.
3.3. Time Release: Applications for a conference / workshop / training that requires release time (i.e., occur during the regular school day), must be submitted 30 days prior to the Conference / workshop / training and the application MUST be approved by the Committee PRIOR to attending in order to be granted access to OSSTF-Funded Professional Development release time. Compliance with these requirements will be verified during the approval process.
3.4. Applications for courses or conferences / workshops / training held outside of the regular school day must be submitted before the end of the PD opportunity. Please note this means members may not know if their application is approved or denied prior to paying for, and attending, their professional development.
3.5. Applicants must have an APPROVED APPLICATION on file before a member submits a claim upon completion of the professional development opportunity. Applicants must retain the application approval email, as it contains the approval number required for the claims form.
3.6. If applicants are applying for Voluntary Professional Association / Membership Fees a claim can only be submitted after the applicant receives the approval from the Committee.
3.7. Requests will be considered in the order in which they are received until the funds are exhausted. Applicants will receive confirmation of approval via personal email from the Educational Services Committee.
4. Course Limitations
4.1. Courses must be held by an accredited institution, such as post-secondary or union.
4.2. Courses must be an AQ, ABQ, Undergraduate, College, Masters, or PhD course.
4.3. PQP courses will NOT be approved.
5. Conference / Workshop / Training Limitations
5.1. The conference / workshop / training the member wants to attend must be aligned with the applicant's teaching practice. OCT qualifications will be used to verify qualifications. Additional documentation or evidence may be required prior to approval at the request of the Educational Services Committee.
5.2. Detailed justification for the purpose of the conference / workshop / training will be required.
5.3. There may be a limit to the number of members that may attend a conference that is outside of SCDSB (strategic plan e.g. Math (OAME) or Literacy).
5.4. There may be a limit to the number of members that may attend a conference that is outside of SCDSB due to occasional teacher availability.
5.5. Conferences must have a formal agenda. If no agenda is available, the Educational Services Committee may require additional information prior to approval.
5.6. A formal website and correct URL of the organization providing professional development must be provided. If the website or URL provided is NOT correct the application will be declined.
5.7. Applications requiring release time, including those requiring supply coverage, must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the conference in order to meet the guidelines. Compliance with this timeline will be verified by the Educational Services Committee during the approval process.
5.8. Conferences that focus solely on yoga or mindfulness retreats may be limited or declined.
6. Professional Development Allowance.
Only one professional Development per school year.
6.1. Courses:
6.1.1. Up to $750.00
6.1.2. Course tuition
6.1.3. Courses accepted are AQ, ABQ, Undergraduate, Masters, and/or PhD courses.
**PQP Courses are NOT eligible for funding**
6.2. Conference / workshop / training:
6.2.1. Up to $750.00
6.2.2. Registration for the conference / workshop / training
6.2.3. Accommodation will be reimbursed if:
6.2.3.1. where the travel time exceeds 100 km or one (1) hour and the event starts prior to 9:00am
or
6.2.3.2. if there is an evening component the night prior.
6.2.4. Meal costs (Max: Breakfast $20; lunch $25; Dinner $35) itemized receipts required. Alcohol will NOT be covered.
6.2.5. Transportation includes:
6.2.5.1. Rental vehicle or public transportation where needed;
6.2.5.2. Mileage ($0.67/km) and 5 cents additional for each passenger attending the event. A maximum of $200 may be claimed for mileage.;
6.2.5.3. Parking.
6.2.5.4. Reimbursement for 407 tolls is NOT provided.
6.2.6. One (1) day of occasional teacher coverage must be applied for a minimum of 30 days prior to conference.
6.2.7. Reimbursement will be calculated based on the following sequence: conference / workshop / training fees, hotel and food expenses, then mileage or car rentals.
6.2.8. Claims must be submitted to the appropriate Claims form. Do NOT email claims to the Educational Services email.
6.2.9. Proof of completion is required for all PD opportunities including conferences/workshops/training. This may include a certificate, conference/workshop/training badge, an official participant package including the agenda and official event materials, or a photo of the member attending the conference. See FAQs or Conference / workshop / training on our website for more details.
6.3. Membership fees Professional Organizations (voluntary)
6.3.1. Up to $750.00
7. Claims Processes:
7.1. Following the completion of a course, conference / workshop / training or Membership Fee payment, applicants must complete the PD Claims Form linked here and found on the front page of the d17teachers.com website.
7.2. Applicant claims MUST be filed within 45 days of the end of the member’s course, conference / workshop / training or Membership Fee payment.
7.3. Applications remaining incomplete 45 days after the end of the PD activity shall be deemed incomplete and closed.
Failure to submit a claim and all required supporting documentation within 45 days of the completion of the conference, workshop, training session, or course will result in the file being closed and funding being forfeited.
7.4. Claims made without proof of conference / workshop / training registration fees will be declined. Proof of completion can be a photo with an event sign, must indicate who is who in the images if there is more than one person, badge, agenda.
7.5. Claims made without proof of completion of a course will be declined. Proof of completion can be a letter, final grade, or OCT print off.
7.6. Mileage must include both the applicant’s Google map trip AND total mileage.
7.7. Claims for events occurring or ending in July and August shall be submitted no later than September 30th of the following school year.
8. Questions?
8.1. If members have any questions regarding use of the professional development funds, members should contact Branch Educational Services Representatives in respective schools, email the Education Services Committee (d17edservices@gmail.com), or call the D17 OSSTF TBU Office.
8.2. The Educational Services Committee will NOT respond to, or accept applications for PD Funding / PD Funding claims, from SCDSB email addresses.
8.3. All communication is to be handled through a personal email address through the Education Services Committee email address.