Frequently Asked Questions
About Building Futures
What is Building Futures?
Building Futures is a Ministry of Education program designed to help teacher candidates make the transition from their faculty to the classroom. Workshops on a variety of topics will provide you with useful tips, resources and effective teaching strategies.
Who should attend Building Futures?
The Building Futures program is intended for teacher candidates in their final year of study at publicly funded faculties of education across Ontario. Faculty members and staff are also welcome to attend the sessions.
What will I learn?
As a new teacher it is critical that you are aware of the current goals and priorities of Ontario's education system. Your first years in teaching are important to your future success. The Building Futures program will provide you with useful tips, resources and effective teaching strategies that will help your transition from the faculty to the classroom.
How often will Building Futures take place?
The Building Futures program is offered at participating faculties of education once per year. Dates are set at the beginning of the year, in conjunction with each faculty of education. Please visit the About the Program at Your Faculty section of this site for more information.
About Registration
When will registration take place?
You will be notified by email when online registration for each faculty begins. Online registration will be posted in the About the Program at Your Faculty section of this site.
Do l need to register in advance?
Yes, pre-registration is mandatory for all program participants. As only a specified number of participants can be accommodated in each room, each workshop has a capacity limit. Online registration enables us to monitor this. In addition, we require the number attending for catering purposes.
How do I register?
Use the following steps to register for workshops:
- Click on About the Program at Your Faculty
- Click on your university's logo
- Scroll down the information page until you reach the title Online Registration
- Choose either the secondary or elementary program (if applicable)
- Think carefully about the workshops you would like to attend before submitting. You will not be able to make any changes afterwards.
I didn't receive a confirmation email for my registration. What should I do?
Please email buildingfutures@ontario.ca requesting a copy of your registration confirmation. It is important that you write your name, the university and the date of the event in the subject line, otherwise we cannot respond to your email.
About the Workshops
Where can l find information about the workshops?
Please visit the Workshops section of this site where you will find a brief description of each workshop.
Where can l find a copy of the agenda for my faculty?
Please visit the About the Program at Your Facultysection of this site and click on the name of the university and the date of the program. When confirmed, a copy of the agenda will be posted here.
Resources and Support Materials
Will resources be provided at the workshops?
Each teacher candidate will receive a USB flash drive and a link to downloadable ministry resources and workshop presentations.
You may also visit the Resources section for an up-to-date list of resources that will help you at the beginning of your career.
You should also visit the Ministry of Education website to learn more about the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP). The NTIP is the second step in a continuum of professional learning for teachers; it builds on and complements the first step: pre-service education programs. The Ministry has produced a resource handbook to support the implementation of the program. These and other resources, Frequently Asked Questions, and information about the program are available on the ministry website.
You can also visit the Ontario Teachers' Federation's Survive and Thrive website. Survive and Thrive is a virtual conference for beginning teachers. It has been specifically designed for Ontario teachers in their first five years of professional practice, occasional teachers, mentor teachers and teacher candidates.
General
Do I need to bring anything to the sessions?
Since the Ministry of Education is making every effort to organize greener events, your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
The Ministry won't be providing paper handouts of the workshop presentations; instead, we ask you to bring your own materials for taking notes.
We also encourage you to bring your own beverage container to cut down on waste .
Will refreshments be provided at the sessions?
Yes. Refreshments (snacks and beverages) will be available on the day, but you must make your own meal arrangements.
Will participants receive a certificate of participation?
Yes. In order to receive your certificate of participation, you will be asked to complete an online survey about the program. An email will be sent to you in the day or two following the event at your faculty, inviting you to take the survey. Once you have completed the survey, you will be redirected to a website where you can download and print your certificate of participation.
Will refreshments be provided at the sessions?
Yes. Refreshments (snacks and beverages) will be available on the day, but you must make your own meal arrangements.
Will participants receive a certificate of participation?
Yes. In order to receive your certificate of participation, you will be asked to complete an online survey about the program. An email will be sent to you in the day or two following the event at your faculty, inviting you to take the survey. Once you have completed the survey, you will be redirected to a website where you can download and print your certificate of participation.
