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OSSTF D17 TBU
Professional Development Funding Guidelines
Updated June 18, 2025.
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.
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.
Application Process:
a. Members must submit requests using the OSSTF D17 TBU Application for Professional Development Funding.
b. Applications for Conference / workshop / training that requires release time, in other words the Conference / workshop / training is during regular school day, must be submitted 30 days prior to the Conference / workshop / training and MUST have their application approved by the Committee PRIOR to attending in order to be granted access to OSSTF Funded Professional Development release time.
c. Applications for Courses or Conference / workshop / training held outside of 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.
d. Applications are reviewed once per month at the Educational Services Committee meeting. See website for meeting dates.
e. You must have an APPROVED Application for Professional Development on file in order to submit a claim upon completion of your professional development opportunity. Please keep this application approval email to have your approval number for the claims form.
f. If you are applying for Voluntary Professional Association / Membership Fees a claim can only be submitted after you have received your approval from the Committee.
Only Conference / workshop / training within the province of Ontario will be considered for funding.
Requests will be considered in the order in which they are received until the funds are exhausted. You will receive confirmation of approval via your personal email from the Educational Services Committee.
Members in good standing can apply for one PD opportunity for the 2025-26 school year.
Funding can be applied to:
a. Conference / workshop / training:
i. Up to $750.00
ii. Conference / workshop / training registration
iii. Accommodation
iv. Meal costs (Max: Breakfast $15; lunch $20; Dinner $25) itemized receipts required. Alcohol will not be covered.
v. Transportation includes rental, public transportation, mileage ($0.64/km), or parking. A maximum of $200 may be claimed for mileage.We do not reimburse 407 tolls.
vi. 1 day of OT coverage must be applied for a minimum of 30 days prior to conference.
vii. Reimbursement will be based on Conference / workshop / training fees, hotel and food expenses, then mileage or car rentals.
b. Courses:
i. Up to $750.00
ii. Course tuition
iii. Courses accepted are AQ, ABQ, Undergraduate, Masters, and/or PhD course.
**PQP Courses are NOT eligible for funding**
c. Membership fees Professional Organizations (voluntary)
i. Up to $750.00
Claims Process:
a. Claims must be submitted to the appropriate Claims form, please do not email claims to the Ed Services email.
b. Proof of completion is required for all PD opportunities including Conferences/workshops/training. See FAQs or Conference / workshop / training on our website for more details.
c. Following the completion of the Conference / workshop / training or the end of the course, applicants must complete the linked here and found on the front page of the d17teachers.com website.
d. Your claim MUST be filed within 45 days of the end of your Conference/ workshop / training or the end of the course.
e. Applications remaining incomplete 45 days after the end of the PD activity shall be deemed incomplete and closed.
This means that if you do not file a claim and submit all required paperwork within 45 days of the end of your Conference / workshop / training or the end of your course, your file will be closed, and you will not receive any funding.
f. Claims made without proof of Conference / workshop / training registration fees will not be approved or accepted.
Claims for events occurring or ending in July and August shall be submitted no later than September 30 of the following school year.
All applications for funding must be submitted by June 1, of the current school year, unless funds have been depleted prior to this.
Applications for funds for PD occurring or ending between July 1 and August 31 shall be considered as part of the funding allocation for the current school year.
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If you have any questions regarding use of these funds, please contact your Educational Services Representative in your school, email the Education Services Committee (d17edservices@gmail.com), or call the D17 OSSTF Office.
We will not respond to, or accept Applications for PD Funding / PD Funding claims, from SCDSB email addresses.
All communication is to be handled through a personal email address.
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