About Us
A great teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart — even if just for a day
Who We Are
We are the union that represents over 600 employees of the Upper Grand District School Board who work as Daily Occasional Teachers and Long Term Occasional Teachers.
We are one of 31 Occasional Teacher Locals across Ontario and are proud members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO/FEEO), which represents over 83,000 education professionals in the province.
Our Focus and Direction
Our Vision
UGOT envisions a strong, united community of occasional teachers who are supported, respected, and empowered in their profession. We strive for equitable working conditions, fair representation, and a public education system that values both educators and students
Our Mission
Our mission is to advocate for the rights and well-being of occasional teachers by negotiating fair collective agreements, providing professional development, and offering workplace support. We are dedicated to fostering equity, social justice, and the protection of public education for all
Our Goals
Our goal is to ensure that occasional teachers in the Upper Grand District School Board receive the representation, resources, and respect they deserve while promoting a fair, inclusive, and high-quality public education system.
ETFO Land Acknowledgment:
In the Spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario acknowledges that we are gathered today on the customary and traditional lands of the Indigenous Peoples of this territory.
UGDSB Land Acknowledgement:
The Upper Grand District School Board is situated on the ancestral, treaty and title lands of two Anishinaabek Ojibwe Nations: the Michi Saagig of the Credit and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. This land also includes a specified tract of land granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River. These Nations hold legal and specific rights in their respective territories. This area has been and continues to be home for Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
Human Rights Statement
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is committed to:
- providing an environment for members that is free from harassment and discrimination at all provincial and local Federation sponsored activities;
- fostering the goodwill and trust necessary to protect the rights of all individuals within the organization;
- neither tolerating nor condoning behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of individuals or the integrity of relationships; and
- promoting mutual respect, understanding, and co-operation as the basis of interaction
among all members.
Harassment and discrimination on the basis of a prohibited ground are violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code and are illegal. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code, at provincial or local Federation sponsored activities
Equity Statement
It is the goal of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario to work with others to create schools, communities, and a society free from all forms of individual and systemic discrimination. To further this goal, ETFO defines equity as fairness achieved through proactive measures, which results in equality, promotes diversity, and fosters respect and dignity for all
