Equal employment opportunitySubstitutes are important Roles and responsibilities of the substitute

teacherClassroom management and disciplineNeed assistance, who do you ask?The daily routineSubstitute teacher notification procedure-

AESOPResources

The Paradise ISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, experience, and abilities.

We value and appreciate you- our substitutes. Students and our schools benefit when substitutes are well trained when they

enter the classroom and actively instruct. Substitute teaching, just as full-time teaching, comes with many responsibilities. SCHOOL SAFETY- First and foremost- You

assist the district in keeping all students safe.

1. Remain attentive and focused on your students at all times. Awareness of what is transpiring in your classroom is crucial.

Reading newspapers, working on the computer, reading books, etc. is not allowed during class time.

Personal calls on cell phones are to be made at lunch and conferences.

Never leave a class unsupervised.

2. Confidentiality—Confidential student information is protected by state law. As a substitute teacher, you will come into contact with knowledge of grades, behavior, and socio-economic conditions. **There is NEVER a reason to take this information from school and discuss it with others.

3. Internet- The district has a protective filter. Attempts to view inappropriate websites is unacceptable, traceable, and can be against the law.

4. Sharing political, religious, and/or social beliefs.

o Your ideas, opinions, and beliefs are a part of who you are as an individual.

o However, it is required that you adhere to the teachers’ lesson plans and follow his or her instructions as closely as possible.

5. Desired professional demeanor- Enthusiastic, compassionate, and positive attitude.

o You are responsible for a climate of mutual respect which can be established with genuine concern for the students.

o Keep the classroom door open when talking with

students.o Avoid any behavior that could be

misinterpreted when interacting with students.

o Use verbal praise and reinforcement.o Supervise students at all times.o Guidelines for Foods of Minimal

Nutritional Value (FMNV)- Candy may not be used as an incentive.

o Avoid losing your temper.o Do Not take children home with you and

never transport them in your car.o Do Not make telephone calls or write

notes of a personal nature to students.

o Respect students and their cultural/diverse backgrounds.

o Use only proper humor (avoid sexual and racial jokes or humor).

o The information you may hear from students is confidential.

o Avoid criticizing others.

6. Legal Aspectso Supervision of Students

A teacher (or substitute) is required to exercise care and caution for the safety of the students in his/her charge. This means act reasonably and with safety in mind, being able to explain circumstances and your actions, as well as following school safety policies and procedures.

o Release of StudentsDue to possible restraints on who may

have custody of a child, children should not be allowed to leave the building during a school day without consent from the office.

o Administering MedicineMedication should only be

administered by school nurse or other appropriate personnel, not the classroom or substitute teacher. (Nurses forms/referrals)

Advice from School Nurses:

Refer all students with injuries (even minor) to the school nurse or the office.Wear protective gear with any bodily fluids.Any child that is bleeding, provide a bandage or send to the school nurse.Prevention is the best antidote for emergencies. Always stay with students and never leave students unattended.

o Records/Notes on IncidentsMaintaining notes on particular incidents

in the classroom can protect you in problematic situations. If you feel that your actions might be questioned, note the date and time, the individuals involved, the choices for action considered, and the actions taken. (Notes to Teacher – Brief description of the day)

o Discipline Procedures When sending a student to the principal for

discipline issues, the substitute teacher maintains the duties of supervision and care for both the individual child and the remainder of the class.

Actions to consider include: • utilize the intercom to call the office• have another student accompany the student• send a student to bring someone from the office• or, have another teacher watch your class while

you take the child to the office.

o Child AbuseAny school employee (including a

substitute teacher) who knows or reasonably believes that a child has been neglected or physically or sexually abused, must immediately notify the building principal.

o Sexual harassmentDefinition: Unwelcome sexual advances,

requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: Such conduct is made, either explicitly or

implicitly Submission to or rejection of such conduct by

an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individuals.

Such conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, or learning environment.

Examples of sexual harassmentVerbal• Inappropriate whistles directed to someone• Sexual comments about a person’s clothing or

physique• telling sexual jokes or stories• spreading rumors about a person’s personal sex lifeNon-Verbal• paying unwanted attention to someone (staring,

following)• making facial expressions • making lewd gestures• giving gifts of a sexual naturePhysical• Intentionally hanging around someone, standing too

close, or brushing up against them

1. Engaging Students—be sure you have the attention of everyone in your classroom before you start your lesson. Do not attempt to teach over the chatter of students not paying attention.

2. Direct Instruction—begin each class by telling the students exactly what will be happening. The teacher outlines what he/she and the students will be doing this period. Time limits may be set for some tasks.

3. State expectations for behavior prior to the activity or lesson.

4. Monitoring—Actively move around room. Check on progress and provide individualized instruction as needed.

5. Modeling—Teachers who are courteous, prompt, enthusiastic, in control, patient and organized provide examples for students through their behavior. If you want students to use quiet voices in the classroom while they work, you too will use a quiet, but assertive voice as you move through the room helping students.

6. Non-Verbal Cues—Non-verbal cues can be facial expressions, body posture, hand signals, or proximity to a student. Care should be given in choosing the types of cues you use in your classroom. Take time to explain what you want the students to do when you use your cues.

7. Low-Profile Intervention—Intervention should be quiet and calm between teacher and student. De-escalation techniques should be used if a student becomes upset. Proactive measures will decrease the chance of a student misbehaving.

8. Positive Discipline—use classroom rules that describe the behaviors you want instead of listing things the students cannot do. Instead of “no running in the room,” use “walk from one station to another.” Refer to the rules as expectations. Let your students know this is how you expect them to behave in class.

9. Redirecting Behavior—Describe the problem, describe the desired behavior, check for understanding, and provide positive feedback.

Students with Special Needs Treat all pupils with fairness and impartiality Be alert—spot potential behavior problems in

the early stages and take action before the situation escalates

Remember that some students will test a substitute teacher to determine his or her behavior limits.

Stress to students that they must assume some responsibility for their own actions.

Students with Special Needs If possible, talk privately with students who

need redirection.

Watch attention spans—it is important to pace a lesson and recognize when to change activities, speed up, or slow down.

Students with Special Needs

Students will sometimes suggest certain activities or procedures which vary from the regular teacher’s routine. If such a situation arises, be pleasant but firm as to how things are going to be done that day. Try to adhere as closely as possible to the regular teacher’s schedule.

Talk with grade level or content area teachers

Secretaries are great resourcesPrincipals are here to helpYou can email Kathy Cavender when

you are in class kcavender@pisd.net or call her at her desk 940-969-5004. Her cell phone is 940-393-2040.

Arrive on time- By 7:45Dress professionally—appearance

makes a differenceSubstitutes are not allowed to bring

their personal children to the assigned classroom.

Follow the teacher’s lesson plan and schedule as given to you.

Prior to Entering the Classroom

• Check-in at the campus officeObtain any keys that might be necessaryAsk about special procedures and schedulesExtra duties associated with the assignment –

lunch, after school, etc.School-wide events planned for the day-

assemblies, field trips, etc.Attendance proceduresStudent medical concerns

In the Classroom Prior to Students Arrival

Write your name on the board (Mr. Smith)Review any posted expectations and rulesReview evacuation maps and any emergency

dataRead through the lesson plansLocate books and materials which will be

needed throughout the day.Study the seating chartsGreet students with confidence as they enter

the classroom

Throughout the DayCarry out the lesson plans and assigned

duties to the best of your ability.Be positive and respectful in your

interactions with students and school personnel.

At the end of each class period or day

Account for all classroom materialsHave students straighten and clean the area

around their desk.Remind students of homework Write a brief report of your day and leave it for

the classroom teacherNeatly organize the papers turned in by the

students.Close windows and turn off lights and equipment.Make sure the room is in good order before you

lock the door.Turn in keys and any money collected to the

office

Paradise ISD utilizes the AESOP system for substitute placement. Kathy Cavender at the High School will guide you through the set-up process.

http://www.harrywong.com/ The First Days of School by Harry Wong

http://www.loveandlogic.com/ --Love and Logic by Jim Fay

Classroom Management That Works: Research-Based Strategies for Every Teacher by Dr. Robert J Marzano, Jana S Marzano, Debra J Pickering

Thank-you for your attendance.