Simsbury Public SchoolsSimsbury Public Schools

Welcome to Substitute Welcome to Substitute Teacher OrientationTeacher Orientation

On any given day . . . .On any given day . . . .

Approximately 274,000 substitute teachers Approximately 274,000 substitute teachers serve in this country’s classrooms. By the time serve in this country’s classrooms. By the time a student graduates from high school, he or a student graduates from high school, he or she will have spent the equivalent of a she will have spent the equivalent of a full yearfull year being taught by a substitute.being taught by a substitute.

Teaching VignetteTeaching Vignette

Simsbury Teaching StandardsSimsbury Teaching StandardsContent KnowledgeContent KnowledgeTeachers understand and apply essential skills, central concepts, and current instructional Teachers understand and apply essential skills, central concepts, and current instructional methodologies in their subject matter or field.methodologies in their subject matter or field.Learning EnvironmentLearning EnvironmentTeachers promote student engagement, independence, and collaboration through the Teachers promote student engagement, independence, and collaboration through the establishment and maintenance of a positive learning community.establishment and maintenance of a positive learning community.PlanningPlanningTeachers utilize effective lesson design to plan rigorous and relevant learning tasks that Teachers utilize effective lesson design to plan rigorous and relevant learning tasks that enable students to construct deep meaning and to develop skills necessary for their enable students to construct deep meaning and to develop skills necessary for their success in a global community.success in a global community.InstructionInstructionTeachers implement instruction designed to engage students in rigorous learning and to Teachers implement instruction designed to engage students in rigorous learning and to develop critical skills needed to solve relevant problems.develop critical skills needed to solve relevant problems.Assessment Assessment Teachers use multiple measures, inclusive of Teachers use multiple measures, inclusive of formative and summativeformative and summative measures, to measures, to analyze student performance and progress in order to inform subsequent planning and analyze student performance and progress in order to inform subsequent planning and instruction.instruction.Professionalism Professionalism Teachers maximize support for student learning by exhibiting a high level of Teachers maximize support for student learning by exhibiting a high level of professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement and learning.professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement and learning.CollaborationCollaborationTeachers actively engage in meaningful collaboration with colleagues on the topics of Teachers actively engage in meaningful collaboration with colleagues on the topics of teaching and student learning.teaching and student learning.

Simsbury Teaching Standard #1:Simsbury Teaching Standard #1:

1. 1. Content KnowledgeContent KnowledgeTeachers understand and apply essential skills, Teachers understand and apply essential skills, central concepts, and current instructional central concepts, and current instructional methodologies in their subject matter or field by:methodologies in their subject matter or field by:

a)a) Demonstrating discipline-specific knowledge and skills as Demonstrating discipline-specific knowledge and skills as described in national and state professional teaching described in national and state professional teaching standards;standards;

b)b) Using content area literacy skills to enable students to Using content area literacy skills to enable students to construct meaning through reading, writing, listening, construct meaning through reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting/creating; andspeaking, viewing and presenting/creating; and

c)c) Applying current research and practice in their subject Applying current research and practice in their subject matter to develop appropriate instructional matter to develop appropriate instructional methodologies.methodologies.

Simsbury Teaching Standard #6:Simsbury Teaching Standard #6:6.6. Professionalism Professionalism

Teachers maximize support for student learning by Teachers maximize support for student learning by exhibiting a high level of professionalism and exhibiting a high level of professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement and learning commitment to continuous improvement and learning by:by:

a)a) Demonstrating respect and responsible behavior in all Demonstrating respect and responsible behavior in all communications and interactions with communications and interactions with stakeholdersstakeholders of the learning of the learning community;community;

b)b) Reflecting regularly on their instructional practices and professional Reflecting regularly on their instructional practices and professional responsibilities; responsibilities;

c)c) Seeking out and participating in learning opportunities to enhance Seeking out and participating in learning opportunities to enhance skills related to teaching and meeting the needs of all students;skills related to teaching and meeting the needs of all students;

d)d) Understanding the legal rights of students in order to create and/or Understanding the legal rights of students in order to create and/or implement implement individualized plans individualized plans accordingly; andaccordingly; and

e)e) Demonstrating behaviors as defined in the Demonstrating behaviors as defined in the Code of Professional Code of Professional Responsibility for Educators.Responsibility for Educators.

A. Repeated A. Repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral, or use by one or more students of a written, oral, or electronic communication, such as cyber bullying, directed at or electronic communication, such as cyber bullying, directed at or referring to another student attending school in the same school referring to another student attending school in the same school districtdistrict

B. B. A A physical act or gesture physical act or gesture by one or more students repeatedly by one or more students repeatedly directed at another student attending school in the same school directed at another student attending school in the same school district that:district that:i.i. causes causes physical or emotional harm physical or emotional harm to such to such student or damage to such student’s property,student or damage to such student’s property,ii.ii. places such student in places such student in reasonable fear of harm reasonable fear of harm to himself to himself

or herself, or of damage to his or her property,or herself, or of damage to his or her property,iii.iii. creates a creates a hostile environment hostile environment at school for such at school for such student,student,iv.iv. infringes on the rights infringes on the rights of such student at school, of such student at school, v.v. substantially disrupts the education process substantially disrupts the education process or the or the orderly operation of a school.orderly operation of a school.

BullyingBullying

ProfessionalismProfessionalism

Self-image and portrayal as professional Self-image and portrayal as professional to students, staff, and communityto students, staff, and community

Feel and act the part – they will perceive itFeel and act the part – they will perceive it

General Rules of ConductGeneral Rules of Conduct

Rule #1: Be attentive and Present for the benefit of all Rule #1: Be attentive and Present for the benefit of all students in the classroom to ensure safetystudents in the classroom to ensure safety

o Do not give an assignment then sit to read the paper Do not give an assignment then sit to read the paper o Do not leave the classroomDo not leave the classroomo Do not make personal phone callsDo not make personal phone calls

Rule #2: Computer Use at WorkRule #2: Computer Use at Worko PolicyPolicyo Never use the internet to surf inappropriate web sites! Never use the internet to surf inappropriate web sites!

Rule #3: Do not gossip about classes or studentsRule #3: Do not gossip about classes or studentso Whether you are in the teachers’ lounge or anywhere else, do not let a Whether you are in the teachers’ lounge or anywhere else, do not let a

conversation develop into one of complaining, ridiculing, or spreading conversation develop into one of complaining, ridiculing, or spreading innuendoes about students or staffinnuendoes about students or staff

Rule #4: Political, Religious and Social BeliefsRule #4: Political, Religious and Social Beliefso By sticking to the teacher’s lesson plans, you will avoid proclaiming your By sticking to the teacher’s lesson plans, you will avoid proclaiming your

opinions or attempting to convert students to your way of thinking. Be opinions or attempting to convert students to your way of thinking. Be respectful of the student inquiries, but stick to the lesson at hand. respectful of the student inquiries, but stick to the lesson at hand.

Rule #5: Be friendly, positive, and enthusiasticRule #5: Be friendly, positive, and enthusiastico Firm and friendly controlFirm and friendly controlo Be pleasant and demonstrate an interest in their assignmentBe pleasant and demonstrate an interest in their assignmento You want the students to be cooperative and hopefully deeply engagedYou want the students to be cooperative and hopefully deeply engaged

Exercising Professional JudgmentExercising Professional Judgment

Maintain a professional barrierMaintain a professional barrier Keep classroom door openKeep classroom door open Do not leave your students unsupervisedDo not leave your students unsupervised Use verbal praise and reinforcementUse verbal praise and reinforcement Do not lose your temperDo not lose your temper NO corporal punishmentNO corporal punishment Be respectful of diversity in studentsBe respectful of diversity in students Use only proper humorUse only proper humor Be confidential (what happens at school stays at school)Be confidential (what happens at school stays at school) Avoid criticizing othersAvoid criticizing others

Classroom ManagementClassroom Management

Focusing Focusing o Demand the attention of the classroom before Demand the attention of the classroom before

starting the lessonstarting the lessono Silence on the part of the teacher can be very Silence on the part of the teacher can be very

effectiveeffective

Direct InstructionDirect Instructiono Tell the students exactly what will be Tell the students exactly what will be

happening in class todayhappening in class today

Classroom ManagementClassroom ManagementMonitoringMonitoring

o Circulate around the room Circulate around the room Check on progress of working students Check on progress of working students Provide individual assistance as neededProvide individual assistance as neededQuiet, calm voiceQuiet, calm voice

ModelingModelingo Model courteous, prompt, enthusiastic, in Model courteous, prompt, enthusiastic, in

control, patient, and organized behaviorcontrol, patient, and organized behaviorThe “do as I say, not as I do” method sends The “do as I say, not as I do” method sends

confusing messages to studentsconfusing messages to students

Classroom ManagementClassroom ManagementNon-Verbal CuingNon-Verbal Cuing

o Flip Light SwitchesFlip Light Switcheso Facial ExpressionsFacial Expressionso Body PostureBody Postureo Hand SignalsHand Signalso Be sure to explain to the students what you Be sure to explain to the students what you

want them to do when you use the non-want them to do when you use the non-verbal cueverbal cue

Classroom ManagementClassroom ManagementLow-Profile InterventionLow-Profile Intervention

o Much confrontational escalation can be Much confrontational escalation can be avoided when the teacher’s intervention is avoided when the teacher’s intervention is quiet and calmquiet and calm

Do not fall for giving negative attentionDo not fall for giving negative attentiono Use an inconspicuous approach to Use an inconspicuous approach to

misbehaving students to lessen classroom misbehaving students to lessen classroom distractiondistraction

o Use the students name in your dialogue in Use the students name in your dialogue in a natural way, “And you see, David, we a natural way, “And you see, David, we carry the one to the tens column.” carry the one to the tens column.”

Classroom ManagementClassroom Management

Use Positive ReinforcementUse Positive Reinforcemento Notice when children are behaving and are Notice when children are behaving and are

on task and point it outon task and point it outo Verbal is fine – but it doesn’t have to be – a Verbal is fine – but it doesn’t have to be – a

nod, smile, or a “thumbs up” will reinforce nod, smile, or a “thumbs up” will reinforce the behavior as wellthe behavior as well

o Find something to compliment the students Find something to compliment the students on about their work or classroomon about their work or classroom

Discipline PracticesDiscipline Practices Treat all students with fairness, impartiality, and responsible fairnessTreat all students with fairness, impartiality, and responsible fairness

Be alert – spot behavior problems earlyBe alert – spot behavior problems early

Students will test a subStudents will test a sub

Stress to the students that they must assume some responsibility for their Stress to the students that they must assume some responsibility for their actionsactions

Speak privately with students who cause problems, if possibleSpeak privately with students who cause problems, if possible

Avoid reaching an impasse with a studentAvoid reaching an impasse with a student

Seek administrative assistance when necessary – but do not lean too heavily Seek administrative assistance when necessary – but do not lean too heavily on this optionon this option

Watch attention spansWatch attention spans

Do not leave the class unattendedDo not leave the class unattended

Adhere closely to the regular teacher’s normal routineAdhere closely to the regular teacher’s normal routine

Arrival in the MorningArrival in the Morning Arrive early – 30 minutes prior to student start timeArrive early – 30 minutes prior to student start time Check in at school officeCheck in at school office Always dress professionallyAlways dress professionally Review the teacher lesson plans Review the teacher lesson plans

o Locate necessary teaching toolsLocate necessary teaching tools Be sure you can find the answers to:Be sure you can find the answers to:

o Student PassesStudent Passeso Special ProceduresSpecial Procedureso DutiesDutieso Students referral to officeStudents referral to officeo AttendanceAttendanceo Restrooms/Teachers’ LoungeRestrooms/Teachers’ Loungeo Introduce yourself to the teachers on both sides of youIntroduce yourself to the teachers on both sides of youo Review class list and plans for special needs of studentsReview class list and plans for special needs of students

Daily Student InteractionDaily Student Interaction

Meet students at door with confidenceMeet students at door with confidenceWrite your name on boardWrite your name on boardReview expectations and/or rules if Review expectations and/or rules if

postedpostedGet students engaged right awayGet students engaged right awayRemind students of homeworkRemind students of homeworkHave students straighten up their areasHave students straighten up their areasBe fair, positive and respectfulBe fair, positive and respectful

Conclusion of DayConclusion of Day Write a brief report about your day and leave it Write a brief report about your day and leave it

for the permanent teacherfor the permanent teachero Include information on student behavior, how far you Include information on student behavior, how far you

got in the lesson plans, etc.got in the lesson plans, etc.

Correct papers where required, neatly organize Correct papers where required, neatly organize student workstudent work

Close windows, turn off lights, and make sure Close windows, turn off lights, and make sure room is in good orderroom is in good order

Check in at the office on your way out Check in at the office on your way out Stay approximately 15 minutes after the closing Stay approximately 15 minutes after the closing

of school or until last bus leavesof school or until last bus leaves

Paperwork RequirementsPaperwork Requirements Substitute Teacher ApplicationSubstitute Teacher Application ResumeResume Official Undergraduate Transcripts or Official Undergraduate Transcripts or

Certification (CT)Certification (CT) 3 Reference Letters3 Reference Letters Proof of Fingerprinting at CREC or Simsbury Proof of Fingerprinting at CREC or Simsbury

Public SchoolsPublic Schools Tuberculin (TB) TestTuberculin (TB) Test Federal and State Withholding FormsFederal and State Withholding Forms I-9 Immigration & Naturalization FormI-9 Immigration & Naturalization Form Policy Acknowledgement FormsPolicy Acknowledgement Forms

Substitute Caller ProcedureSubstitute Caller Procedure

Pam Sottolano, Substitute CallerPam Sottolano, Substitute Callero (860) 651-3540(860) 651-3540

Communication – key to successCommunication – key to success

Will call by 10:00 pm night before or after Will call by 10:00 pm night before or after 6:00 a.m. morning of6:00 a.m. morning of

Simsbury Public SchoolsSimsbury Public Schools

Thank you for Coming!Thank you for Coming!