WFISD HANDBOOK FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS 2013-2014

Wichita Falls Independent School District 1104 Broad St Wichita Falls, Texas 76301 (940) 235-1012 This handbook is not in lieu of, but is instead in conjunction with, the WFISD 2013-2014 Employee Handbook.

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Dear Fellow Educator: Thank you for your willingness to serve the students in Wichita Falls ISD. You will play an important role in the instructional team in the schools where you teach. Your commitment to excellence will enable us to uphold the outstanding reputation that we enjoy. Our mission is to reach each student by teaching to individual learning needs, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve to his/her full potential. You are encouraged to take every opportunity to support and encourage the students you serve, helping to make each one successful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. Sincerely,

Debbie Osborn Director of Human Resources 940-235-1012 [email protected]

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Table of Contents Page I.

GENERAL INFORMATION A. Requirements for Substitute Teaching…..……………………………………….4 B. Hours of Duty………………………………………………………………………..6 C. Substitute Teacher’s Report……………………………………………………….6 D. Release from Assignment………………………………………………………….6 E. Substitute Teacher Pay…………………………………………………………….6 F. Substitute Responsibilities…………………………………………………………8

II.

FREQUENCY OF CALLS AND EVALUATION OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.…9

III.

APPENDIX

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse…………………………………………………………………10 Tips for Successful Classroom……………………………………………………………………..11 School Directory School Calendar Map of District Wichita Falls ISD Policy – online at wfisd.net Employee Standards of Conduct Student Conduct/Drug and Alcohol Use Sexual Harassment

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I.

General Information A.

Requirements for Substitute Teacher 1.

Qualifications Wichita Falls Independent School District is in compliance with provisions of the Title IX of Public 92-318, Educational Amendments of 1972, and is an equal opportunity employer. This school district and its career and technology education program does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, age or national origin in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by origin in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI. Substitutes in WFISD are required to provide transcripts showing at least 60 hours of completed college work. It is necessary to complete a Substitute Orientation provided by the Regional Service Center before beginning work on a campus. All certified teachers are exempt from attending the orientation.

2.

Required Documents (credentials must be on file prior to beginning substitute duties) • Completed substitute application • Transcript of at least 60 hours of completed college work (unofficial) • Criminal history/background check • Completed Tax Form W-4 • Completed Employment Eligibility Verification (form I-9) • Deferred Compensation Plan Participation Agreement • Direct Deposit Form • TEA Ethnicity and Race Data Questionnaire • Fingerprinting FAST pass receipt (unless district is already subscribed to DPS clearinghouse)

3.

Each applicant must be approved by the Human Resources Office. An Aesop ID and Pin Number will be issued to each applicant when their forms are completed and a Criminal History check has been run.

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4.

Substitutes may utilize Aesop, the automated sub calling system, in multiple ways. The three most common ways are: a. By going to the website www.aesopeducation.com and searching for and accepting assignments. b. Having campus staff (teachers, campus secretaries) prearrange assignments. c. Having the system call as assignments become available. The system will call on days and at times set up by the substitute. Employee absences will be posted on Aesop as they occur. AESOP will begin the calling process immediately, but jobs can be picked up online during that process. If you are unable to fulfill your assignment, you must cancel either online or by calling the automated system at 1-800-942-3767. If an emergency arises and you must cancel at the last minute, call the campus directly and inform them. You must also contact the HR office if you do not want the cancellation counted against you in regard to your refund of the fingerprinting fee. An email or phone call is sufficient. ([email protected] or 235-1012 ext 21006)

5.

Any changes of name, address, telephone number, educational status, or availability must be reported in writing to the Human Resources Office or you may email Terri Nowicki at [email protected].

6.

A substitute who is unable to continue working for WFISD, must contact the Human Resources Office. Please email Terri Nowicki at [email protected] .

7.

Principals are encouraged to recommend persons as substitutes, but placement on the list shall be through the Human Resources Office. Only persons approved by the Human Resources Office are eligible for substitute teaching and payment of wages.

8.

All employees shall observe neatness in clothing, personal appearance and hygiene. Substitutes are considered professionals and should dress accordingly. An employee is not appropriately dressed if the employee, because of the manner of dress, is a disturbing influence in the classroom. Decisions by the campus administrator are final.

9.

WFISD is a tobacco free district. No school employee, including substitute teachers, may smoke or use tobacco products in school buildings or on school grounds.

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B.

Hours of Duty 1.

The substitute teacher shall be expected to be on duty the entire school day and perform duties of the regular teacher.

2.

School day schedules for teachers vary on the different campuses. Aesop will provide that specific information.

3.

Individual campus circumstances may require the assignment of a substitute for only a portion of the school day.

4.

The substitute teacher is subject to reassignment during the day due to extenuating circumstances.

5.

Substitute employees are paid for 8 hours per day and are classified as non-exempt employees for the purposes of overtime compensation.

C.

Substitute Teacher’s Report 1.

At the beginning of each teaching day, the substitute should report to the school office. You will be asked to sign the AESOP Substitute Sign-In Form.

2.

Failure to sign this form may complicate the process and delay the substitute’s paycheck.

D.

Release from Assignment 1.

A substitute shall not terminate one assignment to accept another.

2.

A substitute shall consult with the principal’s office before leaving school for the day. There may be occasions when a substitute receives an assignment which will continue for more than one day. In such cases, daily consultation with the principal or the designee may not be necessary but shall be at the discretion of the campus principal.

E.

Substitute Teacher Pay 1.

Substitutes shall be paid according to the substitute rate schedule approved by the Board of Trustees: Non-certified substitutes - $70.00 a day Non-certified long term - $85.00 a day (begins on the 16th day of same assignment) Certified teacher substitutes - $90.00 a day Certified teacher long term - $110.00 a day (begins on 16th day of same 6

assignment)

F.

2.

Texas certified teachers who substitute in a teaching assignment for 90 days or more during a single school year may be able to count that year toward salary purposes if the substitute obtains a regular teaching assignment within the state of Texas.

3.

Substitute teachers shall be paid on the 25th of the month.

4.

Substitute teachers who are required to be on duty for more than 4.5 hours will be paid for the full day. Substitute teachers who are required to be on duty four hours or less per day will be paid for one-half day.

5.

Employees of WFISD are required to enroll in automatic payroll deposit. Paychecks will be directly deposited in the substitute’s checking or savings account and a login will be issued to access the Employee Service Center to view paystubs.

6.

Specific questions concerning a substitute’s paycheck should be addressed to the Payroll Office (235-1015). Questions concerning rate of pay or status should be addressed to the Human Resources Office (2351012).

Substitute Responsibilities 1.

Substitute routine when getting started for the day: a. Substitutes should report directly to the school office to check in and sign the AESOP daily sign in sheet. b.

It is required that all WFISD staff wear district ID badges. These are provided for you through the HR office. First badge is free, replacement badge $5.

c.

Attendance sheets will be provided for the substitutes. When substitutes first arrive in the morning, ask the building secretary to explain the process for completing attendance information.

d.

When substitutes arrive at the building, they should check immediately with the office to get the room unlocked. Generally, subs will not be provided with a room key. All classrooms are locked at the end of each day.

e.

Ask the Principal or the Principal’s designee about special directions and activities planned for the day.

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4.

f.

Turn your personal cell phone off or on silent. Cell phones should only be used for emergency purposes.

g.

Introduce yourself to the teachers whose classrooms are next door or are in your vicinity.

h.

Acquaint yourself with fire and safety drill procedures.

2.

Confidential Information a. Substitute teachers/paraprofessionals are expected to keep information confidential concerning students, staff or schoolrelated business, any of which, might be obtained while substituting.

3.

Professional Ethics a. Substitutes have a professional obligation even though they are not regular teachers. They should use extreme caution in expressing personal reactions and opinions about what they observe in the classrooms of the various schools in which they teach. Under no circumstances should a substitute criticize a regular teacher or the students in the presence of other teachers or students. Substitute teachers should try to preserve the regular routine of the class, to follow lesson plans and to perform all duties expected of the regular teacher.

Fire and Emergency Drills a. Fire and emergency exits are posted near the doorway of each classroom. Familiarize yourself with the exit procedures before classes begin. 5.

Bad Weather Days a. If the weather requires schools to close or to open late, an announcement will be made on the major radio and television stations by 6:30 am. It is the substitute’s responsibilities to listen for school closings or delays. If school is delayed, the substitute should report at the specified time.

6.

End of Day Procedures a. Return materials and equipment to the proper place and complete any “end of day” instructions left by the teacher. b.

Substitutes should check in with the campus secretary at the end of the day for possible continued assignment and to report any problems that occurred during the day.

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II.

FREQUENCY OF CALLS AND EVALUATION OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS A.

It is difficult to give substitutes any estimate of how often they will substitute. It will depend a great deal on such factors as the sub the District’s daily need, time of year, and success of each substitute when assigned. Dependability and reliability are prized attributes of substitute teachers.

B.

The District must constantly be aware of the quality of substitutes employed. Substitutes are informally evaluated at the conclusion of each assignment in the following areas: 1. Did the substitute teacher arrive on time? 2. Did the substitute teacher follow lesson plans in a satisfactory manner? 3. Did the substitute teacher leave the room in an orderly condition? 4. Did the substitute teacher leave sufficient information regarding the day’s events/activities? 5. Would the teacher want this individual to substitute again?

C.

The District may remove a substitute from Aesop if the substitute receives poor evaluations from campuses.

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Reporting Suspected Child Abuse All employees are required by state law to report any suspected child abuse or neglect to a law enforcement agency, Child Protective Services, or appropriate state agency (e.g.: state agency operating, licensing, certifying, or registering a facility) within 48 hours of the event that led to the suspicion. Reports to Child Protective Services can be made to a local office or to the Texas Abuse hotline (800-252-5400). State law specifies that an employee may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report. Under state law, any person reporting or assisting in the investigation of reported child abuse of neglect is immune from liability unless the report is made in bad faith or with malicious intent. In addition, the district is prohibited from retaliating against an employee who, in good faith, reports child abuse or neglect or who participates in an investigation regarding an allegation of child abuse or neglect. An employee’s failure to report suspected child abuse may result in prosecution for the commission of a Class B misdemeanor. In addition, a certified employee’s failure to report suspected child abuse may result in disciplinary procedures by SBEC for a violation of the Educators Code of Ethics. Substitutes who suspect that a student has been or may be abused or neglected should immediately report their concerns to a campus administrator or counselor. Understanding that substitutes are not as familiar with district processes as permanent staff; the campus administration will assist subs in the appropriate reporting processes.

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Tips for a Successful Classroom •

Become familiar with the discipline management plan that is specific to the campus on which you are working. The principal can supply the necessary information for you.

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Conduct class in a positive and organized manner to help prevent problems from occurring.

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A positive attitude is a key to winning the respect of students! Physical bearing and tone of voice directly affect the reaction of the class to the teacher.

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Start the day by taking time to carefully review with the students the regular classroom rules and routines, and then follow them consistently for effective transition.

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Maintain appropriate seating/grouping by following the teacher’s seating chart or instructions.

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Begin instruction promptly and use all allotted time in instructional endeavors.

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Be consistent and fair! Be firm enough to command attention and flexible enough to be fair. Avoid ultimatums!

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Since substitute teachers often work with several different age groups, be mindful to use age appropriate tone, volume and vocabulary.

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Scan the room frequently. Monitor activities by moving around the room and give students meaningful feedback. Your presence will help prevent off task behaviors.

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Redirect any off task or disruptive behaviors immediately. Be sure to deal with individual students and do not “fuss” at an entire class for one person’s behavior.

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Use positive verbal praise when deserved. Reinforce desired behaviors as appropriate with statements like, “Thanks for listening carefully.”

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Reprimands are best given in private when possible.

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SUBSTITUTES SHOULD NOT ADMINISTER CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

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At the end of the workday, make sure the classroom is as neat as it was when you arrived. Clear the floor of any unsightly trash, straighten desks, tables and chairs, and turn off all computers.

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