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Our Story

Our Story

A proud history that started in 1985

In 1985 a group of Resource Teachers began to recognize many common concerns and needs of professionals working with exceptional children and their families. Annual conferences were sponsored to address those needs and led to an interest in the development of a provincially recognized organization. In 1990 this interest resulted in the accreditation of the Early Childhood Resource Teacher Network of Ontario. The Network is proud to continue its 30+ years of operating under the guidance of the following mission, vision, and values.

Mission

The Network promotes the inclusion of children with varying needs and abilities, in their communities, by providing a forum for networking, education, professional development, and collaborative advocacy for Resource Teachers and Consultants across the province of Ontario.

Vision

Early Childhood Resource Teachers as leading collaborators in building inclusive communities for children across the province of Ontario.

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Inclusion

At the Early Childhood Resource Teacher Network of Ontario (ECTRNO), we believe that everybody benefits in an inclusive community setting.
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Leadership

We believe that by providing a collective voice for our profession we become leaders in our communities in promoting inclusion for all children.
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Life-long learning

We seek professional education and development on a regular basis and we are aware of current best practices of our profession and its applications.
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Collaboration

At ECTRNO, we achieve better outcomes and results by working together with families, community partners, and provincial policymakers.

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Our History

Our History

Background Information and Organizational Milestones

1986
First Resource Teacher Workshop
Organized by the Gerard Resource Centre and Ryerson University
1988
Form a formal organization
Proposal submitted to form the Association for Resource Teachers of Ontario
1990
ECRTNO was Incorporated
▪ 1st Annual General Meeting
▪ 1st Board of Directors was elected
1995
Inclusion Project
▪ Preliminary Planning for Inclusion Project
▪ Sourced Out Funding for the Project
1996
10th Annual Conference
10th Conference held in, Barrie ON
1996
Checklist for Quality Inclusive Education
Trillium Foundation supports project with a grant of $7,500
2001
15th Annual Conference
15th Conference held in, Burlington ON
2006
20th Annual Conference
20th Conference held in Kingston, ON
2011
25th Annual Conference
25th Conference held in Collingwood, ON
2016
30th Annual Conference
30th Conference held in Ottawa, ON in partnership with Children's Integration Support Services
2017
Joint Learning Institute
Learning Institute held in Richmond Hill, ON in Partnership with OAICD
2018
Regional Gatherings
The Network held Regional Gatherings Eastern, Western, and Central Regions, with the AGM taking place at the Central Gathering
2018
Northern Regional Divisions
The North Region is was divided into North Eastern, North Western, and North Central Regions to reflect the vast geographical area and allow for more representation from Northern Ontario on the Board of Directors
2020
Connect Over Coffee Virtual Events
The Network began hosting monthly Connect Over Coffee Virtual Networking Events in response to the work-from-home mandate caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
2020
First Virtual Conference
The Network hosted the annual provincial conference in a virtual format

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