TITLE: Substitute Teacher
REPORTS TO: Building Principal
LENGTH OF YEAR: Per Diem
LENGTH OF DAY: Will Follow Building Schedule
Purpose: A substitute teacher will have the primary responsibility of promoting the education of the students of the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District in the absence of the regular teacher. Substitute teachers will guide students in attaining the knowledge and skills necessary for success during their educational career as well as preparing our students to become college and career ready after graduation. Substitute teachers will help students learn the skills and attitudes necessary to achieve a responsible, productive, and fulfilling life in our changing world.
Guiding Philosophy of a Palmyra-Macedon Substitute Teacher
- Embrace learning for all.
- Creating and enthusiastically being part of a collaborative culture.
- Value collective capacity through job-embedded professional learning.
- Focus on results and not activities.
- Implement change for its effect on increased student achievement and the overall enhancement of the organization.
- Embrace the model of continuous improvement.
Expected Results:
1. Substitute teachers will ensure students are engaged in lessons that reflect the teacher’s understanding of content knowledge, pedagogy, and best practices by:
- Establishing a culture of learning within their classrooms.
- Implementing the instructional plans prepared by the teacher. When in long-term placement, creates instructional plans in accordance with the district curriculum.
- Preparing lessons with the appropriate level of content and relevant learning activities that are suitable to diverse learners and support the instructional outcomes.
- Engaging students in lessons and activities to students in a compelling, clear, and challenging way.
- Using real-world context and integrating technology when appropriate.
- Continually assessing and analyzing student learning, and making adjustments that have a positive impact on student learning.
- When in a long-term placement, assessing student work and giving feedback to students in a timely manner.
- Searching and utilizing best practices.
- Anticipating student misconceptions and planning their lessons to accommodate for the misconceptions.
- Reflecting upon lessons taught and making adjustments where appropriate to enhance student learning.
- Conducting and/or attending staff development opportunities, when applicable.
2. When in a long–term placement, data will be collected and used to improve instruction by:
- Designing and administering summative and formative assessments that align with the District adopted standards and curriculum.
- Collecting and analyzing summative and formative data from student work.
- Sharing and having professional discussions around collected data with colleagues and administrators.
- Utilizing collected data to gauge student learning and develop plans to improve student learning.
3. Positive relationships with students and their families will be created and maintained by:
- Creating clear standards of conduct for student behavior.
- Interacting with students in a respectful and caring manner.
- Responding to student needs in a manner sensitive to the students’ needs.
- When in a long–term placement, contacting parents on a regular basis with feedback on students’ areas of growth and areas of concerns.
- When in a long–term placement, posting grades weekly to the Parent Portal.
4. When in a long–term placement, positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues will be created and maintained by:
- Participating in professional development opportunities to share and/or acquire new best practices in teaching.
- Sharing successful lessons and activities with colleagues as appropriate.
- Actively participating in a collaborative team.
5. Substitute teachers will fulfill their professional responsibilities by:
- Holding the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality.
- Being highly proactive in being an advocate for all students in the district.
- Maintaining reasonable rules of conduct which encourage self-discipline and responsibility.
- Meeting and instructing assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.
- Taking all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Maintaining records as required by law, District policy, and administrative regulations.
- Assisting the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct.
- Serving as a positive role model for students, demonstrating professionalism that includes a positive attitude and positive and respectful communication.
- Holding and communicating high expectations of student achievement and behavior.
- When in long-term assignments, attending staff meetings and performing actively on committees as required by the administration.
- Meeting accepted standards of professional behavior.
- Supporting the Mission and Vision of the District.
- Maintaining a professional appearance.
- Maintaining a professional and positive rapport with parents, coworkers, and administrators.
6. All parents, students, community members, employees, and all visitors to the Palmyra-Macedon CSD will experience the Pal-Mac Way by:
- Greeting parents, students, community members, employees, and all visitors with a friendly and helpful attitude.
- Displaying a customer service approach when working with others in person, on the phone, and through written and electronic communication.
- Being attentive to the needs of all individuals who request their assistance.
- Communicating clearly, both verbally and in writing.
- Utilizing their skills to de-escalate a situation when other people are in a heightened or excited state.
7. Substitute teachers will perform all other duties as assigned by the Building Principal.
Substitute teachers will possess the following minimum qualities, qualifications, skills, and/or abilities:
- Possess the proper New York state certification for the position or appropriate education.
- Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
- Evidence of an open, collaborative style that fosters a sense of teamwork and common purpose.
- Proven people skills and is an effective communicator with a sense of humor. The teacher will be positive, approachable, and respectful of others.
- Willingness to become an active, engaged and visible member of the learning community.
- A clear communicator in both oral and written language.
- Work collaboratively with other staff members, administrators, students, and parents.
- Use problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Listens first.
- Ability to occasionally travel extended distances, including overnights.
Evaluation: Substitute teachers will be evaluated by the building principal.