STEL - Short Term Educational Leave Funding

STEL Funding Basics

The intention of the Short Term Educational Leave (STEL) fund, as negotiated with our employer, is to provide an educational leave for professional development (PD) opportunities. STEL funds allow members to attend conferences, workshops, and seminars, and/or take courses designed for teachers to develop knowledge and/or skills related to their teaching qualifications. STEL is intended to supplement the costs of PD but may not always cover the entirety of costs.

Who can apply for STEL funding?

OSSTF District 24 (D24) tenured or probationary teachers are eligible.

Long Term Occasional teachers (LTO) are eligible if the activity takes place during their LTO placement or during the summer following their teaching assignment. 

Teachers who retire by June 30th of a school year are not eligible for STEL funding in July and August.

How much funding can I access?

Members may apply for multiple professional development opportunities each year, however the maximum funds and OT coverage days per member is $600 plus 2 OT coverage days annually. The STEL year follows the school year calendar, beginning September 1st, 2025 and ending on August 31st, 2026.

Examples of approved events:

  • Curricular and cross-curricular conferences such as CODE, OBEA, OSCA, OCTE, OAME, OMEA, OAEA, FNMIEAO, CEMC 

  • Courses designed to improve your instructional practice in the classroom

  • Summer PD activities such as OTF Summer Institute, Projet à Québec, etc.

  • Registration for lectures, seminars, or workshops

  • Additional qualification, university, and college course tuition costs will be eligible for reimbursement at 50% of tuition costs up to $600. (Example: AQ cost of $650 will be reimbursed at $325) 

  • Requests are to reflect your OCT qualifications and do not need to reflect your current timetable

Examples of ineligible events:

  • Supervision of students on a curricular field trip

  • Personal PD activities such as fitness, diet, or stop-smoking workshops 

  • Acting as a workshop facilitator/organizer without registering in other workshops

  • Visits/self-guided tours to trade shows, museums, or similar exhibits

  • Training intended to support extra-curricular activities

See the guidelines linked below for more details:

STEL Funding Guidelines 2024-25

STEL Request Form

Pre-Approved Activities List 

(but you are definitely not limited to these options!)

QUESTIONS?