OCEA Chair’s Message
2025-2026
OCEA Chair’s Message 2025-2026
As the 2025-26 Chair of the Ontario Cooperative Education Association (OCEA), I am pleased to extend a warm welcome as we begin a new school year and celebrate a significant milestone—OCEA’s 50th year of excellence and support in Cooperative Education, OYAP, SHSM and all other forms of Experiential Learning! And it all began with three dedicated teachers / volunteers: Tom Douglas, Jack Ulan and Ted Knott who are considered the founding members of the Ontario Cooperative Education Association (OCEA)! These three individuals brought Cooperative Education to Canada – specifically, Ontario.
As we look ahead, we honour the legacy of those who have paved the way, while continuing to build on our shared vision of creating powerful learning experiences for all students. On behalf of OCEA, thank you for the vital role you play in shaping students' futures through Cooperative Education, OYAP, SHSM and all other forms of Experiential Learning.
For five decades, OCEA has been committed to advancing Cooperative Education, OYAP, SHSM and all other forms of Experiential Learning, strengthening partnerships, and supporting educators in providing meaningful opportunities that help students explore career pathways while building future success. This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication, innovation, and professionalism of Cooperative Education, OYAP, SHSM and all other forms of Experiential Learning teachers / educators like you!
As we celebrate this important year, I encourage you to renew or apply for your OCEA membership. Please Note: Check with your school board lead to see if they’ve purchased the current OCEA School Board Subscription (SBS) for this current year – the SBS provides for teachers to obtain an OCEA membership at no cost to the teacher.
Membership in this vital, subject-based, volunteer association is essential in contributing to your professional development, ensuring access to valuable resources, and building a strong network of colleagues who share the same passion for student success in Cooperative Education, OYAP, SHSM and all other forms of Experiential Learning!
A yearly OCEA membership provides the following benefits:
1. Ability to register for the Fall Symposium and / or the Spring Conference at reduced rates to network with Cooperative Education, OYAP, SHSM and all other forms of Experiential Learning teachers / educators across the province to share ideas, resources and initiatives.
2. Full access to our website’s Members Resources Only section which provides collaborative sharing curriculum documents, current and past symposium and conference presentations (offered as recordings and/or PDF files) and OCEA resources such as: Designing for Success, Ethical Guidelines and Legal Issues, and OCEA’s NEWest resource titled “Pre-placement Lesson Plans for Cooperative Education 2023©”.
3. Obtaining the OCEA Student Certificate of Achievement to promote Cooperative Education and/or Experiential Learning in your school (downloadable/fillable PDF) to present to worthy students.
4. Ability to nominate outstanding colleagues for a yearly OCEA Award (The George King Award of Excellence or The S.J. (Jack) Ulan Professional Contribution Award).
5. Voting privileges for Statutory Members of OCEA at our Annual Business Meeting (ABM).
6. Serving your vital subject-based association as an OCEA Provincial Representative, or as a Director on the OCEA Board.
We are also excited to share two upcoming events for the 2025–2026 school year:
● 2025 Virtual OCEA Fall Symposium: Opportunities for All and Success in a Modern World - Virtual Online via Zoom - November 13, 2025.
● 2026 OCEA Spring Conference – Celebrating OCEA’s 50th Anniversary, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel, 600 Highway 7, Richmond Hill, ON - April 26, 27, and 28, 2026.
We invite you to stay informed with OCEA via our social media accounts:
https://www.instagram.com/ocea_aeco/
https://twitter.com/OCEA_AECO
https://www.facebook.com/OCEA.AECO/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ocea-aeco/
Please feel free to contact me or any member of the OCEA Board of Directors or Provincial Representatives (https://ocea.on.ca/contact-us/) with any comments or input that will aid us in continuing to best serve our members.
On behalf of OCEA, thank you for the vital role you play in shaping futures through Cooperative Education.
Together, let’s make this 50th year one of growth, collaboration, and inspiration.
Wishing you a successful and inspiring year as we celebrate 50 years together!
Rebecca Gauthier
2025-2026 OCEA Chair
Cooperative Education Teacher
Rainbow DSB
