NTIP FAQs for LTOs

New Teacher Induction Program 2024-2025 Frequently Asked Questions for LTOs*

Table of Contents

NTIP Program
Release Time
Absences
Orientation
Professional Development
NTIP Mentor Coach
Resources

If you have any questions that are not answered on this FAQ, feel free to reach out to staff-development.registrations@ocdsb.ca.

NTIP Program

Which LTOs qualify for NTIP?

Occasional teachers in their first long term occasional (LTO) assignment of 80+ days. Participation for LTOs is optional. However, if an LTO chooses not to participate in the program upon invitation, they will not have another chance to participate until they become a permanent contract teacher.

Is participation in NTIP mandatory? 

  • Participation for eligible NTIP LTOs is optional. 

Optional Participation Includes;

  • Sign up to be matched with an NTIP Mentor Coach
  • Sign up for a day of Self-Directed Learning 
  • Sign up for a variety of Afterschool Workshops 

As an LTO, do I complete Teacher Performance Appraisals (TPAs)?

No – TPAs are required to be completed by NTIP Contract Teachers only. LTOs participate in only the PD opportunities listed above if they so choose. 

Release Time

How much release time is provided to NTIP LTOs? 

A total of three (3) days of release time will be provided to NTIP LTOs to participate in NTIP activities as follows: 

  • One (1) day to engage in self-directed learning
  • Two (2) days for the support of an NTIP mentor-coach

Please note that release time for all NTIP activities must be used no later than 13 June 2025.

Is release time prorated for part time teachers?

No – part time and full time NTIP LTOs are allocated three (3) full days of release time regardless of their FTE.

Once I have used up my release time, are there other PD opportunities that I can take advantage of? 

Yes – the Leadership & Staff Development Team will be in touch throughout the year regarding additional professional development opportunities. Additionally, you are able to sign up for as many After School Workshops as you wish. 

Absences

How do I record my absences for NTIP activities? 

When creating an absence for an NTIP activity be sure to enter the following: 

Leave Reason Box: HDSD – NTIP/Staff Development hosted by department

Additional Info Box: Please indicate the NTIP activity for example:

  • NTIP release time for self-directed learning 
  • NTIP release time with NTIP mentor-coach (insert name of Mentor-Coach)

*Please note that HDSD is the reason code required for NTIP Activities. 

I am a part-time LTO – do I get paid for NTIP activities outside of my regular schedule? Yes – you will be paid at the occasional teacher rate of pay for the difference in your payroll percentage when you participate in NTIP activities. However, In order to be paid, your principal will need to enter a “no employee absence” in ApplyToEducation for the difference in your payroll percentage as follows:

Absent: “No Employee Absent” 

Assignment: “Your teaching assignment” 

Additional Info: “Timesheet to pay part-time NTIP teacher additional hours” 

Fill Method: “Manual Fill” 

Replacement: “Your Name” 

Charge Back: ” HDSD-NTIP/Staff Development – hosted by Department” 

Payroll: “enter the difference in payroll percentage” 

Ideally, it would be best if the principal processed the no employee absence at the same time the regular absence was approved. NOTE: If the principal is unable to find your name, please contact the OT Division (otlistelementary@ocdsb.ca OR otlistsecondary@ocdsb.ca) to ensure your name is on the OT Roster. 

Orientation 

I was hired after the District Orientation in August took place, will there be another one scheduled? 

All district orientation videos are uploaded to the New Employee webpage and can be viewed anytime. Additional live Q&A sessions may be conducted throughout the school year so new hires will have the ability to connect with their HR contacts. More information will be provided as the Q&As are scheduled.

School orientation should also take place shortly after the start of your assignment. Your principal will designate a teacher on staff, an NTIP school contact, to provide orientation and mentoring support during your first year on contract. NTIP LTOs should review the Orientation Checklist with the NTIP school contact.

Professional Development 

How do I register for the After School Workshops? 

After school workshops will be posted in the NTIP Overview for LTOs in late September or early October. Registration can be completed directly through the Google Forms provided. Workshops will be posted throughout the year, so keep checking back!

What should I be doing on my Self-Directed Learning day?

The intention of the Self-Directed learning day is to engage in PD that is specific to your assignment and your personal learning goals. 

Appropriate uses of this time would be watching pre recorded videos or engaging in live webinars. This time is NOT to be spent working on AQs or attending external workshops or conferences.

Does the OCDSB have any pre-recorded workshops that I can watch during my Self-Directed Learning day?

There are many OCDSB resources/workshops that are available for you to review during your Self-Directed Learning day that can be found HERE

How do I sign up for my day of Self-Directed Learning?

You will need to fill out the following FORM to submit to your principal to obtain approval for your day away from the classroom. Only Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays can be used for self-directed learning days when release time is needed.

Will there be workshops offered during the summer? 

Yes – a list of workshops offered at the Summer Institute will be made available before the end of the school year. Although not related to NTIP, Business and Learning Technologies (B&LT) also hosts a variety of summer technology workshops for which they will notify all board staff when they are available.

NTIP Mentor Coach 

What is an NTIP mentor-coach? 

An NTIP mentor-coach is an experienced teacher who has recently retired from the OCDSB and who has been specifically hired to provide mentor-coaching support to NTIP LTOs.

Am I required to have an NTIP Mentor-Coach? 

No – the support of an NTIP Mentor-Coach is optional. 

How do I get assigned to an NTIP Mentor-Coach? 

NTIP LTOs interested in the support of an NTIP mentor-coach will be required to complete the Request for NTIP Mentor-Coaching Support Form found on the NTIP Overview for LTOs program document. Once Leadership & Staff Development has received your request, an email will be sent to you with the name and contact information of your assigned NTIP mentor-coach including mentoring support instructions

If I don’t want the support of an NTIP Mentor-Coach, can I use my release time to meet with my NTIP school contact?  

No – release time is only allocated to meet with an NTIP Mentor-Coach. You are able to meet with your NTIP School Contact on an informal basis, but no release time is provided.

Can I meet with my Mentor-Coach virtually?

Mentor-Coaching sessions for the 2024-25  school year are based on a hybrid model and can be conducted either virtually or in person. You and your Mentor-Coach can discuss what works best.

What can Mentor-Coaches help with?

Mentor-Coaches can assist with a number of things including focused planning, classroom management, teacher moderation, connecting you with helpful resources and helping you manage your role as a new teacher. Their expertise extends far beyond just these items as well. Click HERE to see what those who worked with a Mentor-Coach in previous years had to say about the program. 

Resources 

Are there any online resources available for NTIP LTOs? 

Yes – here are some important links for your reference. 

If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to staff-development.registrations@ocdsb.ca.