TFS - Canada's International School

TFS attracts teachers from around the globe, welcoming educators with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Many are drawn to the school for its reputation of being internationally minded and academically engaging, providing a great opportunity for teachers to learn and grow as educators. "We are committed to ensuring that every educator, whether newly hired or long-tenured, is supported in their growth," says Urfels. From the outset, all teachers are immersed in the TFS professional development system. Learning continues throughout the school year with multiple dedicated PD days—in August, October, February, May and June—focused on both individual development and collective priorities. "What makes professional development at TFS unlike that of other schools is the diversity of pedagogical frameworks our educators work within as well as the variety of experiences and expertise they possess," says Julie Rouette, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. TFS supports professional development across the French and Ontario curricula as well as the IB and CAIS frameworks. Each year TFS allocates a substantial professional development budget, which supports a wide range of opportunities for both teaching and non-teaching staff. Staff consult with their academic coordinators to align individual development goals with the school's strategic priorities. And every professional development experience is tracked through a system managed by both the HR and Teaching and Learning teams, allowing the school to monitor participation, assess impact and plan future opportunities with intention. These opportunities are embraced by teachers and other faculty across the school. For Florian Olivo, the continuing education opportunities provided by TFS allowed him to pursue a career in leadership. As a passionate teacher, Florian embraced the culture of growth at TFS. Having arrived at the school from France via California, he was eager to continue his learning journey, adapting to the TFS style of teaching while taking advantage of the opportunities available to him. "This school is committed to helping teachers achieve their professional goals and that goes a long way," he says. "We are all learners who can learn from each other as well as the external educators we have access to." When Olivo decided to pursue a School Management and Leadership certificate (CSML) from Harvard Graduate School of Education, he approached his advisors at TFS who helped him access funding for part of the program. "Not all schools are willing to support teachers in this way and we are quite lucky here," he says. Supported by the school's commitment to educator growth, he completed the certificate and was promoted to the role of Vice- Principal of La p'tite école. is school is commied to helping teachers achieve their professional goals and that goes a long way. Florian Olivo, Vice-Principal of La p'tite école 23 TFS

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