PDC LogoTDSB Logo

Overview

Our Principal's Development Course (PDC) will engage candidates in critical inquiry. Through the co-construction of knowledge and learning, candidates will further explore

  • the ethical dimensions of leadership through the experiences of other candidates
  • complex issues related to creating and sustaining vibrant school and system cultures and
  • enhancing student learning and well–being.

It employs a critical, pedagogical lens to explore various module topics and strengthen professional efficacy by

  • gaining in-depth knowledge
  • refining professional judgement and
  • generating new knowledge for practice.

This program consists of a selection of 25-hour modules on a variety of topics. All modules are offered in online delivery unless otherwise noted.

To receive the Additional Quallification (AQ) certification, candidates will need to complete a total of five modules of their choice, inclusive of one compulsory module. The intent is to ensure a flexible offering with new modules being added on a regular basis. The modules do not need to be completed in any specific order.

Module Information

Module 1 - Principal Legal Duties and Responsibilities (compulsory module)
  • What are the principal's legal duties and responsibilities?
  • What does it mean to be an “agent of the board?”
  • What does a principal need to know when using social media?
  • What does a principal need to know when investigating the misuse of social media?
  • What are the principal's duties and liabilities in relation to the Child and Family Services Act?

Module 3 - Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School
  • Equity, inclusivity, social justice and schools
  • Mindsets and equitable schools
  • Privilege, bias and culturally responsive and relevant leadership
  • Positive school culture and leadership

Module 8 - Leading the Kindergarten Program
  • Four frames of the kindergarten program
  • Play-based learning in a culture of inquiry
  • Dealing with uncertainties in pedagogical documentation
  • Principal as co-learner in creating the conditions for learning

Module 12 - Supporting Leadership in Mathematics
  • Foundational knowledge in mathematics
  • Effective instructional approaches in effective math classrooms
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Implications for professional learning and school improvement planning

Module 15 - I Stand in Treaty
  • Pre-contact to the Indian Act
  • The Indian Act to Indian Residential Schools
  • The White Paper to the Apology
  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission to Decolonization

Module 18 – Anti-Oppressive School Improvement
  • Critical Pedagogy, Anti-Oppression and Indigenous Education
  • Equity, Anti-Oppression and School Improvement – Application
  • Interrogating SIP Goals & School Learning Plan from and Anti-oppressive Space
  • Positive School Culture and Leadership - Moving Forward

Qualified candidates can apply to Charles Sturt University for inclusion of this AQ as a prior learning credit towards the Master of International Education (School Leadership) or Master of Education degree.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements follow Ontario Regulation 176/10 - Teachers' Qualifications, 34.

  • Ontario College of Teacher's (OCT) Certificate of Qualification and Registration
  • Principal's Qualifications (Part 1 and 2 or equivalent) and
  • Two years of successful experience as a principal or vice-principal, certified by your Supervisory officer.

    • Please note that as you register an email address is required for your SOE to confirm your years of experience. Please use the following contacts for this:

    • Once received, they will ensure forms get completed as required by OPC. Please do not submit it to your Learning Network Superintendent or School Superintendent.

Course Fee

$215 per module  with a limited amount of TDSB subsidy.

Subsidy: Once registered, please send a copy of your registration and payment confirmation to suzan.joueid@tdsb.on.ca.

Schedule

All modules are offered online and are asynchronous. The dates listed below are the start and end dates of each module. There may be some synchronous web meetings, but they will be recorded if you are unable to attend live.

Date Module Deadline
November 20 - December 23 Module 3 - Leading an Equitable and Inclusive School November 6
January 15 - February 18 Module 15 - I Stand in Treaty January 1
February 19 - March 25 Module 1 - Principal Legal Duties and Responsibilities (compulsory module) February 5
March 26 - April 29 Module 8 - Leading the Kindergarten Program March 12
March 26 - April 29 Module 12 - Supporting Leadership in Mathematics March 12
April 30 - June 4 Module 18 - Anti-Oppressive School Improvement April 16

All modules are offered online unless otherwise noted. Deadlines are firm. To receive the Additional Qualification (AQ) certification, candidates will need to complete five modules, inclusive of one compulsory module (Module 1).

All TDSB modules are for TDSB participants only.

Register

Terms and Conditions

 Refund Policy

A full refund is available if you cancel up to two weeks before the start date, less a $50.00 non-refundable registration fee.

 

A $100.00 refund is available if you cancel one week before the start date.

 

There is no refund for cancellations after the start date.

 

A full refund applies when a session is cancelled due to low enrollment. 
 Interpretation Services
The OPC is committed to accommodating the individual needs of our Members, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Once a candidate has registered and paid the applicable registration fees for a course, the OPC will contract with an interpretation service of its choosing and will cover the fees and expenses related to interpretation services in accordance with its contract arrangements with the interpreter. The candidate is welcome to provide a list of preferred interpreters for us to consider, but OPC retains the discretion to choose the provider of these services.

As the OPC is required to comply with the cancellation policy specific to each independent interpreter, it will communicate the cancellation policy to the course candidate in writing. A candidate seeking to cancel their participation in an OPC course must comply with the interpreter’s cancellation policy and be respectful of the associated timelines. Candidates will be held responsible for cancellation fees applied as a result of missing timelines for cancellation.

OPC’s standard refund policy will also apply to all cancellations.