The Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program (SOQP) is designed to prepare future Supervisory Officers in Ontario to respond to the needs and demands of the K-12 education. Through a fully virtual and highly collaborative learning community, candidates will engage in critical inquiry as they develop the skills, knowledge and competencies necessary to meet the challenges of public education. Candidates can enter the program at any module.
OPSOA's SOQP program is built on a foundation of anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism and...
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Brings renowned provincial leaders and presenters from every corner of the province to candidate discussions.
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Provides time in small mentor groups for candidate reflection, sharing, networking and deep learning.
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Engages experienced and provincially recognized supervisory officers as mentors.
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Ensures highly interactive, engaging and thought-provoking learning discussions.
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Builds the critical consciousness and skills necessary to take action in addressing systemic barriers.
What candidates say about their experience with the program:
"OPSOA modules encourage participants to centre our most under-served students and families in framing our thinking around leadership in school boards. This is critical if we are going to bring about true system change grounded in Truth and Reconciliation, equity and anti-oppression.” -SOQP Candidate
“OPSOA's Supervisory Course provided a space for deep reflection of current leadership best practices through an equity and anti-oppression lens. The information and learning is current and responsive to the needs of emerging leaders in education.” -SOQP Candidate
Program
The Program
The program consists of four instructional modules and a leadership practicum. While candidates would ideally take the modules in order from Module 1 through to Module 4, there is complete flexibility to ensure that candidates are able to make the program work for them both personally and professionally. The SOQP must be completed within five years of the initial start date. Each module is 50 hours in length and will consist of instructional time plus reading, researching and assignment completion. The modules and practicum will have their own evaluation criteria that will include formative and summative evaluation.
Each module will present inquiries enabling candidates to build knowledge, engage in discourse, and reflect on their professional practice as they strive to enhance the leadership skills required of an effective Supervisory Officer in Ontario.
Candidates will further develop and apply their personal leadership resources within the context of system leadership. The focus is on understanding the interaction of the personal and professional ethical self and the need for ongoing reflection and learning. The focus includes building candidate capacity to establish and sustain a broadly shared mission, vision and goals.
Candidates further develop and apply their personal leadership resources within the context of system leadership. The focus is on understanding the interaction of the personal and professional ethical self and the need for ongoing reflection and learning. The focus includes building candidate capacity to establish and sustain a broadly shared mission, vision and goals.
Candidates expand their knowledge of legislation, policies and structures that provide the framework for ethical and legal decision-making in education in Ontario. The focus is on applying this knowledge to complex issues that arise given the complexity and diversity of Ontario society.
Candidates acquire and consolidate knowledge of policy governance, systems thinking and provincial and district vision as the foundation for building relationships and developing human resource capacity for realizing system goals. The focus is on understanding the supervisory officer’s role in the design and implementation of the strategic plan and organizational culture.
The Leadership Practicum is a required component of the Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program and may be started upon the completion of two modules. Designed to allow candidates to demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply the content from the SOQP modules and their leadership competencies within a district school board or other educational setting of a similar nature, the practicum is a culminating educational experience involving the integration of the content and inquiries within the four modules, with a focus on addressing an identified inequitable outcome for students and/or staff.
Mode of Delivery
Each module is 50 hours in length and will consist of pre-module work, synchronous instructional time, researching, post-module work and assignment completion. While candidates would ideally take the modules in order from Module 1 through to Module 4, there is complete flexibility to ensure that candidates are able to make the program work for them both personally and professionally. If you have already taken SOQP modules, we welcome you to join our program at any time.
The modules are organized over a consecutive 3-day period:
Fall and Winter modules will be held on a consecutive Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
During the leadership practicum component, which is also 50 hours in length, candidates will work directly with qualified, experienced Supervisory Officers as they inquire into a specific leadership initiative within the setting of their respective Board of Education.
Admissions
Admission Requirements
The SOQP Candidates will be accepted for entry into the program based on the submission of full documentation as required by Ontario Regulation 176.10 for academic applications and Regulation 309 (as amended by O. Reg. 182/97) for business applications.
There are separate requirements for Academic and Business candidates.
Application
Program candidates must complete an online form and submit supporting documents as needed. Please visit the appropriate application page for details.
Academic Candidate Requirements
To be considered for admission into OPSOA’s SOQP, the candidate must first submit proof of meeting each the following criteria, as stipulated in Ontario Regulation 176/10, section 35 (3) and (4).
Candidates wishing to pursue their Supervisory Officer’s Qualifications require all of the following:
- Teaching qualifications in three or more teaching divisions, including the intermediate division
- At least five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience, to be verified by a board supervisory official (Statement Form)
- An acceptable master's degree
or
- doctorate degree (if applicable)
and
- Principal's Qualification Program Part 1 & 2, or equivalent
For more information, please refer to the detailed information in the Ontario College of Teachers Act (1996).
All candidates to the OPSOA’s Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program (the “SOQP”) must submit to OPSOA all necessary qualifications and degrees specified in this application, that meet all of the requirements for admission into the SOQP as set out in O. Reg. 176/10, made under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 12. It is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure that they have met the prescribed requirements contained in O. Reg. 176/10, which are a pre-requisite to admission to the SOQP, and to the issuance of a general certificate of qualification and registration by the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), upon successful completion of the SOQP. OPSOA shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, claims, harm or damages whatsoever incurred by the candidate in the event that the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers refuses to accept an candidate’s qualifications as meeting the prescribed requirements for admission to the SOQP, and does not record the supervisory officer’s qualification on the candidate’s OCT General Certificate of Qualification and Registration, even where the candidate has paid for and successfully completed the SOQP.
I have read and understand the requirements, I verify that I meet the requirements as stated above:
If you are an existing OPSOA SOQP candidate, or have initiated the registration process,
please log into the portal to register for further modules.
Business Candidate Requirements
To be considered for admission into OPSOA’s SOQP, the candidate must first submit proof of meeting each the following criteria, as stipulated in As required by Regulation 309, applicants shall have:
- At least seven years of experience in business administration, including at least three years in a managerial role relevant to the role of business supervisory officer (require a detailed original letter from a board directors/head of companies, indicating job title, specific dates in role, detailed responsibilities, evidence of managerial experience) - Statement of Experience Form
- An acceptable post-secondary degree (web print-outs are not accepted)
AND Either
- A master's degree (web print-outs are not accepted)
OR
- qualified to practice as an
- architect
- certified general accountant
- certified management accountant
- chartered accountant
- lawyer
- professional engineer
- professional planner
- certified human resource professional
- or is qualified to practice in another professional capacity that, in the opinion of the Minister, provides experience appropriate for the position of business supervisory officer
AND Either
- Successfully completed a program in school board management
- the person holds a master's degree that is an acceptable post-secondary degree and has successfully completed a graduate course, either as part of or in addition to the courses necessary to obtain the degree, in each of school board finance and school board administration
- OR
- the person has other post-secondary education and experience that the Minister considers relevant to the role of a business supervisory officer and equivalent to the program in school board management. (Require Ministry Attestation Form completed by Director or Superintendent and approval from Minister)
All candidates to the OPSOA’s Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program (the “SOQP”) must submit to OPSOA all necessary qualifications and degrees specified in this application, that meet all of the requirements for admission into the SOQP as set out in O. Reg. 176/10, made under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 12. It is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure that they have met the prescribed requirements contained in O. Reg. 176/10, which are a pre-requisite to admission to the SOQP, and to the issuance of a general certificate of qualification and registration by the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), upon successful completion of the SOQP. OPSOA shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, claims, harm or damages whatsoever incurred by the candidate in the event that the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers refuses to accept an candidate’s qualifications as meeting the prescribed requirements for admission to the SOQP, and does not record the supervisory officer’s qualification on the applicant’s OCT General Certificate of Qualification and Registration, even where the candidate has paid for and successfully completed the SOQP.
I have read and understand the requirements, I verify that I meet the requirements as stated above:
If you are an existing OPSOA SOQP candidate, or have initiated the registration process,
please log into the portal to register for further modules.
Modules
Upcoming Sessions
While candidates would ideally take the modules in order from Module 1 through to Module 4, there is complete flexibility to ensure that candidates are able to make the program work for them personally and professionally. OPSOA will be offering the following:
Summer 2025 - Virtual
Module 1 - Personal Leadership Perspective - July 6-8, 2025
Module 3 - Provincial Leadership Perspective - July 6-8, 2025
Module 2 - Leadership and Organization Change Perspective
- July 9-11, 2025
Module 4 - System Leadership Perspective - July 9-11, 2025
Registration Closes on June 6, 2025
Fall 2025 - Virtual
Module 1 - Personal Leadership Perspective - Oct. 24-26, 2025
Module 3 - Provincial Leadership Perspective - Oct. 24-26, 2025
Registration Closes on Sept. 26, 2025
Winter 2026 - Virtual
Module 2 - Leadership and Organization Change Perspective
- Feb. 27, 28, and March 1, 2026
Module 4 - System Leadership Perspective
- Feb. 27, 28, and March 1, 2026
Registration Closes on Jan. 30, 2026
Summer 2025 – Modules 1 and 3:
July 6 - 8, 2025 (all days 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
Summer 2025 – Modules 2 and 4:
July 9 - 11, 2025 (all days 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
Registration Closes on June 6, 2025
Fall 2025 - Virtual
Module 1 - Personal Leadership Perspective - Oct. 24-26, 2025
Module 3 - Provincial Leadership Perspective - Oct. 24-26, 2025
Registration Closes on Sept. 26, 2025
Winter 2026 - Virtual
Module 2 - Leadership and Organization Change Perspective
- Feb. 27, 28, and March 1, 2026
Module 4 - System Leadership Perspective
- Feb. 27, 28, and March 1, 2026
Registration Closes on Jan. 30, 2026
If your are looking to register after the registration deadline, please contact Lila Read, SOQP Facilitator at lilaread.soqp@opsoa.org
Cost
Fees and Payment
All books and materials required for the Modules will be included in the overall cost. Also included at no additional cost is a comprehensive Leadership Skills 360 Assessment for each candidate in Module 1.
Course Fee:
$1315 for each Module
$950 for the Leadership Practicum
Fees include HST
There is a $250 non-refundable fee if candidate withdraws at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the module.
If you withdraw from the program, the cost of books/resources, and related costs, that have been sent to you will be deducted from the fees paid.
If candidate withdraws after the two week period prior to the start of the module or during the module, no refund will be provided.
OPSOA accepts payment by credit card only. Payment is made when registering for the Module and is required before beginning the Module.
Fees will be reviewed annually and may be subject to change.
If you have questions, please reach us at soqp@opsoa.org
Testimonials
Recent Testimonials - 2025
This felt like an ideal way to complete the SOQP journey. It has truly reinforced with me, the value of relationships and connecting with people, which some skeptics may think difficult to do without in-person learning. I saw firsthand the power of working with others outside of your own comfort zone, and how the other participants in this module will be a support always moving forward. What a gift!
Robyn Scheubel
I just finished the OPSOA Module 4 course, and it was awesome. The course was very practical and hands-on, which really helped me understand and apply the principles of board governance. The mentors were super nice and supportive, and the guest speakers were both informational and excellent in sharing their insights. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to complete their SOQP journey.
Leslie Tumangday
Previous Testimonials:
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OPSOA Module 1 was a great introduction to the roles and responsibilities of a Supervisory Officer. The diversity, equity and inclusion lens of the course was essential for understanding the ethical obligations of the position. The mentors and guests are experts in their fields and provided meaningful guidance and valuable feedback.
Eron Strong
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Leadership and Organizational Change is critical to a thriving education system. This module, focused on equity and inclusion, allowed me to consider current practices through the lens of historically marginalized students, and see how all of our efforts at a system level must be focused on breaking down barriers and uplifting our students for the betterment of all.
Dawn Ruddick
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Module 1 of the SOQP is brilliant! It allowed us to critically self reflect on who we are not only as leaders but as people. Most importantly, it called us to take action to disrupt, address and inspire.
Sean McCormack
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I really appreciated the balance of large group sessions which featured current supervisory officers from a range of different school boards and the time spent in small, focused mentor groups. Those structures helped me to feel engaged and supported in the learning connected to each part of the module.
Paula Bender
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Module 1 offered by OPSOA has challenged me to dig deeper into recognizing my own biases, privileges and/or power. This course opens the awareness of the racism, oppression and equity that must be named and acted upon. Working with colleagues across public school boards in Ontario has given me the awareness of the work that has been done to address these concerns, but also the work that still needs to be done.
Kim Harbinson
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Definitely a worthwhile experience enrolling with OPSOA for the SOQP! Meeting colleagues and mentors from across the province and districts made it very meaningful! This is the best professional development that I have had in my Admin career (12 years!!) I have learned so much from the mentors, speakers and fellow colleagues.
Penny Miller
The overarching inquiry for OPSOA’s SOQP is as follows:
"What are the essential steps that I need to take to develop the deep understanding and most crucial competencies to become an effective Supervisory Officer in Ontario?"