HENDERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS SUBSTITUTE TEACHER HANDBOOK October, 2012

It is the policy of the Henderson County Board of Education to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age ,disability status, status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran, or status in any other group protected by law. Any person having inquiries concerning the school system’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should contact Judy Sanders, Henderson County Board of Education, 35 Wilson Street, Lexington, TN 38351, phone-731-968-3661.

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Substitute Teacher Handbook Table of Contents

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Introduction and Welcome School System Information Central Office School Information 3 Classroom Ethics 4 Cell Phones 5 Additional Considerations 6 Duties, Responsibilities, and Expectations for Substitutes 7 Appropriate Dress 8 Eligibility to Substitute 9 AESOP Automated Educational Substitute Operator 10 Complaints About Substitutes

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Introduction This handbook is your guide to success as a substitute teacher in the Henderson County School System. The contents have been arranged to assist you in finding the answers to many problems which may confront you as you substitute in the various schools throughout the system.

Welcome You, as a substitute teacher, are one of the most vital building blocks of our school system. It would be extremely difficult for the school system to operate on a satisfactory basis without persons such as yourself serving as substitute teachers. We wish to extend to you a most cordial welcome to our school community. Your daily work is an important contribution to the instructional program of our schools. We are confident that you will do everything possible to meet the high standards required for teaching in our schools, and we wish to extend our sincere “best wishes” as you join our staff.

School System Information Central Office Administration Director of Schools-Steve Wilkinson Secondary Supervisor, Personnel, Textbooks, Testing Coordinator-Tim Rogers Elementary Supervisor, Preschool Director-Dr. Wanda Small Career & Technical Director-Lisa Lewis-Evans Federal Programs Director, OCR-Judy Sanders Special Education Director-Terrie Meyer Attendance, Homeless, 504 Coordinator-Harlan Fesmire Transportation Director-John Small Food Service Director-Patty Fisher Coordinated School Health Director-Brenda Scott Technology Director-Phil Johnson Maintenance Supervisor-Chad Grant

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School Information Bargerton Elementary School

South Haven Elementary School

6141 Poplar Springs/Bargerton Road Lexington, Tenn. 38351 Phone Number: (731) 968-7484 Fax Number: (731) 968-9498 Principal: Mr. Danny Leasure

5455 Hwy. 22A Lexington, Tenn. 38351 Phone Number: (731) 968-6890 Fax Number: (731) 968-9705 Principal: Mr. Randal Denton

Beaver Elementary School

South Side Elementary School

19830 Hwy. 22 N Lexington, Tenn. 38351 Phone Number: (731) 968-2109 Fax Number: (731) 968-9706 Principal: Mr. Scott Carter

29855 Hwy. 104 S Reagan, Tenn. 38368 Phone Number: (731) 549-3718 Fax Number: (731) 549-2431 Principal: Mr. Marty Johnson

Juvenile Academy

Westover Elementary School

188 White St. Lexington, TN 38351 Phone Number: (731) 967-9527 Fax Number: (731) 967-3940 Principal: Mr. David Weatherford

300 Crucifer Rd. Huron, Tn. 38345 Phone Number: (731) 968-9846 Fax Number: (731) 968-9699 Principal: Mrs. Stacey Valle

Pin Oak Elementary School

Lexington High School

19925 Hwy. 412 E. Lexington, Tenn. 38351 Phone Number: (731) 968-7341 Fax Number: (731) 968-9490 Principal: Mrs. Lori Leasure

284 White Street Lexington, Tenn. 38351 Phone Number: (731) 968-2961 Fax Number: (731) 968-9399 Principal: Steve Lindsey

Scotts Hill Elementary School

Scotts Hill High School

1 Hwy. 114 S Scotts Hill, Tenn. 38374 Phone Number: (731) 549-3411 Fax number: (731) 549-2430 Principal: Mrs. Karin Eason

7871 Hwy. 100 Reagan, Tenn. 38368 Phone Number: (731) 549-2900 Fax Number: (731) 549-2909 Principal: Mr. Brian Norton

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Classroom Ethics Information obtained about students, including grades/performance must be kept confidential. It is against the law to disclose information contained in a student’s personal file, a student’s grades or the fact that a student has a special need or disability. In other words, a substitute should assume and act as if any information learned about student as a result of being a substitute teacher is confidential. In addition, personal information regarding other teachers should not be publicly disseminated. Substitute teachers are representatives of the entire Henderson County School System. Personal religious or political beliefs, philosophies and opinions may not be imposed upon the students. Substitute teachers may not distribute religious, political, or commercial materials to students without prior permission from the principal.

Cell Phones It is the policy of the Henderson County Board of Education that all employees, including substitute teachers, keep cell phones turned OFF at all times when in the presence of students. TALKING ON CELL PHONES DURING TIMES WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE ASSIGNED TO BE WITH STUDENTS IS CONSIDERED A DIRECT VIOLATION OF BOARD POLICY. RECEIVING OR SENDING TEXT MESSAGES DURING TIMES WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE ASSIGNED TO BE WITH STUDENTS IS CONSIDERED A DIRECT VIOLATION OF BOARD POLICY. VIOLATION OF BOARD POLICY CAN RESULT IN TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Employees may use cell phones during times that the employee’s assigned students are regularly scheduled to be under the supervision of other school employees including PE time, library time, lunch time, etc.

Additional Considerations INCLEMENT WEATHER • Know the procedures to execute the “Severe Weather Safe Area” procedure. • Know the procedures for dismissing students early. • Inquire about extra duties during times of inclement weather. STUDENT PICK UP  • Know procedures for escorting students to bus pick-up/parent pick up.  Elementary Substitutes – no elementary substitute teacher may leave before all his/her students have been picked up at end of day.

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Duties, Responsibilities, and Expectations for Substitutes No visitors or guests (child or adult) may come to school with a substitute. Substitute Teachers are employees of the Superintendent of Schools and work under the direction of the school principal. All substitute teachers are expected to arrive on time and to remain on the job until all students have been picked up by their parents, been put on the bus, or have otherwise been dismissed. At the beginning of each day of employment: 1) The substitute is to report to the office of the school in which he/she is to substitute. 2) The substitute must sign in each day and secure a visitor/substitute badge. This badge must be returned to the school office at the end of the school day. 3) When checking in, substitutes should be prepared to provide the school secretary with needed information for payroll purposes. If Substitutes are hired for the entire school day they are expected to use the entire day in service to the system. Substitutes are not entitled to a planning period. During breaks from classroom duties, substitutes are to report to the school office for assignment from the principal. Note that substitutes are entitled to the same lunch period as the regular classroom teacher whom they are replacing. The roles of a substitute teacher are to maintain classroom discipline and to carry on the classroom procedures as if he/she were the regular teacher. A substitute teacher has the same responsibilities and the same duties as the regular teacher, including bus duty and playground supervision. Substitute teachers should, as far as possible, follow any lesson plans and instructions left by the classroom teacher. Substitutes do not have the authority to make changes in daily curriculum except in emergency situations. Discipline should be maintained and students are to be held accountable for their work, classroom behavior, attendance, etc. Non-routine punishment (written or otherwise) may not be administered by a substitute teacher. If discipline problems arise, the principal must be notified. Make notes for the regular classroom teacher about your day. Include information about problems during the day and any other information that you feel the teacher might want to know. If you were not able to follow lesson plans, if an assignment could not be completed or if you had to rearrange schedules, leave a note explaining why. The substitute teacher should be familiar with the guidelines and procedures used in each school. This information should be provided to substitutes when they check in at the school office each morning. The school should provide substitutes with the following: a general map of the school; emergency phone numbers; the schools general guidelines and procedures; and the 6

school’s crisis plan. If questions arise throughout the day, you should contact the school office or the principal. Class attendance must be checked carefully and accurately at the beginning of the day and an attendance report sent to the school office. Attendance must also be checked after each class change and any student absences reported to the school office immediately. If an illness or accident occurs, the substitute should follow the schools guidelines and procedures. Universal precautions must always be observed. Substitute teachers are expected to use common sense and good judgment in addressing problems with students and other staff members. If however, a problem cannot be properly resolved at an individual level after an attempt at resolution has been made, the matter should be referred to the school principal. At the end of the day, take a few moments to straighten up the classroom. Pick up any papers or other debris left on the floor. Make sure all windows and any outside doors are shut and locked. Sign out at the office.

Appropriate Dress Substitute teachers are required to adhere to the same dress suggestions as the regular Henderson County School teachers.  All substitutes should dress modestly and present a neat, clean appearance.  Blue jeans sweat pants, sweatshirts and shorts should not be worn except on “field day” or for some other special activity.  Blouses, shirts or tops that reveal the midriff or chest may not be worn.  Hats and caps are not appropriate for wear inside the buildings.  Clothing of any sort that contains a message that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other type of message that may cause a disruption or disturbance in school may not be worn.  Clothing which contains obscene or suggestive language may not be worn.

Eligibility to Substitute Henderson County Schools reserve the right to deny employment to any applicant. Completions of the substitute training class DO NOT guarantee employment as a substitute. Further, substitute teachers can be terminated from service at any time, with or without notice.

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In order to be considered as a candidate for substitute teaching in Henderson County, you must meet the following minimum requirements: o High school diploma or Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) o Must be 21 years of age Henderson County Board of Education Policy 5.701-SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS provide:  

All substitute teachers shall be employed by the director of schools and paid by the Board. Criminal history record checks and fingerprinting of applicants for substitute teaching are required and will be at the applicant’s expense.

**Notarized results of Fingerprinting within the last calendar year are acceptable. Otherwise, ALL applicants for ALL positions will have to be fingerprinted. ** 1) Substitute teachers shall have an application showing educational background, name, address, social security number, etc. on file at the Henderson County Board of Education office. This application can be completed before or at the scheduled workshops (Halfday Workshops are held quarterly in January, April, July, and October. These dates will be announced on the Henderson County School System website and in the Lexington Progress. All substitute applicants are required to attend a workshop.) 2) After completing a Substitute workshop (you only have to attend one workshop to meet the requirement to be able to substitute), then you will need to schedule an interview with the Personnel Director or the designee. If approved to substitute, the next step will be to provide proof of current fingerprinting (within a calendar year) to the Finance Department OR be given fingerprint instructions during your interview (current cost to the applicant is $48.00). 3) When fingerprint results are approved, the substitute hire will be contacted by the Finance Department to finalize all payroll and applicable paperwork. Finance Department is now located on the second floor of the Henderson County Courthouse. Applications are available at the substitute training & on the Henderson County website: www.hcschoolstn.org. These must be submitted at the substitute training only. Pay checks can be picked up on the 15th each month at the Henderson County Board of Education. It is suggested that each substitute keep an up to date calendar/log of days and schools worked because it is possible for payroll information to get misplaced or misdirected.

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While it is unlikely that this will occur, having a calendar/log will help to clear up any potential problems. Substitutes work the same schedule as the certified staff at the assigned school. Substitutes should check with the principal or school secretary for specific reporting time. Pay rate: Substitutes working on a day-to-day basis are paid: $55.00/day With Workshop $60.00/day With a valid Tennessee Teaching License and Workshop $60.00.day Licensed Nurse and related Training

AESOP Automated Educational Substitute OPerator AESOP is an automated system used to find substitutes for teachers and other staff during short term, temporary absences. AESOP allows staff to register their own absences using a web site or an Interactive Voice Response phone system. AESOP then finds substitute teachers to fill each vacancy and allows substitutes to view and accept jobs online. Unfilled jobs trigger automatic phone calls to qualified substitutes. The administrative management functions of AESOP provide administrators with full information about absences and substitute assignments.

AESOP instruction is provided to each approved substitute. You will be provided with ID # and Pin #. You will be activated in AESOP upon the completion of your paperwork. If you have questions or comments regarding the use of the AESOP system, please contact Amy Bowman at the Finance Office (731)-651-0255.

Complaints about Substitutes If a significant complaint in regard to a substitute teacher’s performance or behavior is received, the substitute will be contacted by the Finance Department either by phone or by mail. If the behavior reported amounts to a serious breach of duties, the substitute will be immediately removed from the Active Substitute List. The substitute will be notified by mail of the action taken and the reason for the action. If the substitute believes the information regarding his/her performance or behavior is inaccurate, the substitute has the responsibility of 9

contacting the Personnel Director to discuss the information and removal from the substitute list. If the complaint/concern is less serious, the substitute will be asked to come in for a conference. At this conference, the nature of the complaint will be discussed and appropriate actions to address the problem will be decided upon. If continued complaints are received, the substitute teacher will be removed from the Active Substitute List. Once a substitute has been removed from the Active Substitute List, reinstatement will be made only upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools. An individual school can request that a substitute teacher be restricted from substituting at that school. Such requests will be honored if the school has a reasonable basis for the request. Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the reason for the restriction, the substitute may or may not be notified of the restriction. If several schools request restriction of the same substitute, the substitute is subject to being removed from the Active Substitute List. An occurrence of the following behaviors may result in immediate removal from the Active Substitute List:   

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Using profanity in the presence of students; Endangering students by leaving them unattended for inappropriate amounts of time or by falling asleep in the classroom; Making sexually or racially inappropriate oral/written comments or displaying inappropriate graphic or physical conduct, or subjecting students to racial or sexual harassment; Using alcohol or unlawful drugs on school premises; Insubordination; Willful violation of school rules/regulations; Willful refusal to follow instructions and or lesson plans left by the classroom teacher; or Any other inappropriate behavior.

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