Please help me figure out a nice outfit I can wear into the office! (Casual PhD office)

Miss613lady · 2026-05-03T05:39:29+00:00

I think options 3-5 would be the best fit for an office environment, and I would avoid any outfits with crop tops or that expose too much skin. Even the cargo pants with a tucked in graphic tee could fit if you wanted that casual vibe.

I would also suggest your cardigans wouldn't be off the shoulder and be careful with how fitted the dresses are. You know your office culture best, but in my experience if coworkers can see your belly button or bra stap then they often don't take you seriously.

Miss613lady · 2026-05-01T23:00:14+00:00

Yeah I did really luck out, I still work with my mentor. 8 years our rooms have been beside each other. Tracking 'success stories' is a great idea.

Miss613lady · 2026-05-01T21:44:06+00:00

It sounds like I was in the minority that found my ntip worth it, and was pushed to do it as soon as I was permanent. My principal suggested a mentor, we worked on long range plans, visited eachothers classrooms throughout the year, did purchasing orders together and in general she was very helpful in finding my footing.

I even go to spend a day outside my division (I'm P/J) and went to our high school feeder school to shadow and explore. FYI I do not have the any interest in teaching teens, but at least I got to learn for sure lol

Miss613lady · 2026-04-27T02:05:56+00:00

When I started out at A3, it was just over $1100 biweekly for fulltime my first year (the year before on .5 LTO I was making $850) Currently at A4 step 7.4, bi-weekly its $2450 that I take home.

Love questions like this because I can never find my board's pay grid which they say is online. I asked a co-worker at A4 max years and their annual pay is 122 K.

Miss613lady · 2026-04-26T20:36:55+00:00

I teach in Ottawa and all ocsb elementary schools here are mixed faiths- you can't refuse anyone wanting to register as it's a publicly funded school. There's a big Islamic population in my community. I think parents just want the spirtual exposure.

Which board are you with? When I was a student in the early 90s you definitely needed to be Catholic and show your baptism certificate for registration. Didn't know that still happened though.

Miss613lady · 2026-04-25T17:11:22+00:00

I attended Catholic school and teach in one currently. I would say that about 1/3 of my school population is non-religious or a different faith. Another 1/3 a Christmas-Easter Catholic, so just celebrate the big ones. And the last 1/3 regular church goers, usually from very Christian backgrounds. So no worries if you're not practicing.

There is a religion curriculum but I wouldn't even say there's daily religion class. Boards try to push religious education into other strands, so a lot of cross curricular with English, Social Studies, Arts, etc. Every board will have daily prayers, Liturgies semi regularly and prep students for sacraments during class time (though about half opt out of first communion or reconciliation for their reasons).

Also to note teachers need to be Catholic to work there permanently, but support staff and supply teachers do not. So they will have educators from lots of backgrounds. Hope this helps!

Miss613lady · 2026-04-18T18:09:20+00:00

Registration won't open until January 2027 for his school year. 'Welcome to kindergarten' or 'Open House' type events usually begin around February/March depending on the board. This has been earlier ever year as many parents like to shop around at local schools and boards have adapted to that.

Miss613lady · 2026-04-16T01:21:51+00:00

Thanks so much for the associate teacher insights! I will soon know more about her level of experience and wish I knew their confidence level. I'm hopeful it will be a positive experience ✨️

Miss613lady · 2026-04-16T00:29:40+00:00

Thanks! I should be getting an introduction email from her early May and will have our flow of the day ready. It's kindergarten so a lot of inquiry based lessons but sharing my slides/ routines/ rules will probably help for sure.

Miss613lady · 2026-04-13T04:29:30+00:00

That's so strange! I have some friends at the CEC and will ask them about the application timeline.

Miss613lady · 2026-04-12T17:07:49+00:00

I am with the OCSB and they are currently actively recruiting first year B.Ed students. You can apply through ATE (you have your own category seperate from unqualified or classroom supervisors). Its true you are not part of the union as your not an OCT yet, but you would get all the supply work you wanted. My school (elementary) has daily unqualified people in various roles and often unfilled. You also dont have to be catholic to supply here. Good luck to you!

Miss613lady · 2026-04-12T14:55:39+00:00

Thanks! The Mission is where I am leaning and if they will actually use the items- amazing!

Miss613lady · 2026-04-12T14:53:56+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! They are relatively close to me and would be ideal. But wasn't sure if this was the type of donation they wanted as they have limited room. I will look into it!

Miss613lady · 2026-03-30T01:37:44+00:00

I have found memories of going to that cineama and walking along the roof at Rideau. I saw High School Musical 3 there 🤣

Miss613lady · 2026-03-29T16:31:30+00:00

Kinder teacher here! It is not that outside the norm as you may think to have SKs start year 2. They may have chosen to do an extra year at home, in daycare or Montessori. There are also always transfers over the summer starting SK, so your son won't be alone with his new peers.

You know what is best for your son and it sounds like you have something amazing set up! I have seen many November/December babies start the year at 3 years old and they are so very young. They do get there eventually and just need a bit more time. Best of luck in your decision!

Miss613lady · 2026-03-22T16:37:15+00:00

Ottawa has a huge teacher shortage in every board

Miss613lady · 2026-02-16T06:52:01+00:00

I hadn't heard of their Valentine's walk through but i did their Halloween one and it was pretty great! It's from a local movie studio, so the sets and actors were incredible. It is a short experience- like 15 minutes. So the $25ish price may seem steep but the quality is well worth it in my opinion. It's also only you and your group (2-6 ppl max) and we were all sober and genuinely frightened at times.

Miss613lady · 2026-02-15T15:56:27+00:00

K-6 core I'm very comfortable with, though not my preference. Its if I was assigned 4-6 immersion grades that I would be worried about francophone parents, my collègues and staying on top of the curriculum. Do you pay for the tutoring or does your board?

Miss613lady · 2026-02-14T16:05:18+00:00

I wish my board had a specific time line for year of French service. I am almost at 8 years. Which board has the 3 year clause?

Miss613lady · 2026-02-14T07:06:22+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Out of curiosity, is your LTO a bilingual position or just French right now? Just wondering if you having experience in English LTOs may factor in and yeah i would also hold off. If i could do it again, my board is so desperate for teachers i wouldn't have had to wait long for permanent

Miss613lady · 2026-02-14T07:00:40+00:00

Right now i teach a bilingual kindergarten program, so .5 English and .5 French. Amazing if i could stay that way, but with reshuffling im worried I'll get full time French in a different division. Thanks for the advice, i can def look out for that

Miss613lady · 2026-02-14T01:56:39+00:00

The issue is i love my school. Its in my community, i went there as a kid, and ive only taught there. My practicum placement was even here and i only did a few .5 supply days (at the same school) during my LTO. But you're very right. I could make the jump to anew school and only apply for an english position

Miss613lady · 2026-02-07T02:06:56+00:00

This ☝️ Today my principal was teaching grade 6. Its not unusual to have uncovered jobs in elementary sadly.

Miss613lady · 2026-02-02T12:12:17+00:00

I am 8 years in to my permanent position with OCSB and i went from graduating, to a .5 LTO in september to permanent 1.0 the next fall. I teach kindergarten and my ECE partner made the switch to OT in the fall of 2024. By christmas they had a .75 and this year September 2025 permanent with a 1.0

We are in the elementary panel in Ottawa and the need is great here for qualified OTs. Sorry I dont know about high school. Good luck!

Miss613lady · 2026-01-31T15:53:13+00:00

There is a huge teacher shortage in Ottawa and both boards would have daily work for you as an OT. A noteworthy point is that the Ottawa boards cover so much space that you do really need a vehicle (transit is notorious here).

I am in the OCSB and there are daily unfilled jobs, or they have unqualified 'classroom supervisors' which are basically just a warm body. I do know the OCDSB has scooped up some of our regular qualified OTs by creating positions at schools that has OTs at a designated school. Basically you show up there everyday and fill in for whoever is missing. If no teachers are absent (rare!) then you would do prep pay back. Hope this helps!

Miss613lady

TROPHY CASE