Guidelines for Relief Teachers

1. Guidelines for Relief Teachers

2. Getting Started • Visit a range of school • Consider the schools – do they suit your criteria • Proximity • Culture • Co-ed / single • Primary / secondary

3. Steps to Success • Prepare your CV and Covering Letter • Emphasize your strengths • Subjects • Experience • Flexibility – technical, PE, special needs • Availability – days, time, part time, hour by hour

4. The School • Make an appointment with the Person in Charge of Relief – PICOR • Your CV is also useful if staffing needs arise within the school, they are often filled by relieving staff.

5. The Interview Take to the interview: • MOE number • Tax number – you will have forms to complete • Bank account details • CV with referees • Days, times, subjects

6. Request an information pack that you can take away. It will contain details like: • Evacuation procedure • Uniform rules • Classroom rules • Discipline system • School map • Bell times

7. Advance questions: • Keys – where to collect them • Staff relief – where is it located • Where is the staffroom/bathroom • Time of staff meeting – arrive 15 minutes before this.

8. The Pay • Trained or untrained • Limited Authority to Teach • Depending on your Step • Keep a diary of dates, times and schools – payment is delayed.

9. Dress Code • Be the detective! Have a look at other staff on your visit. If in doubt ask the PICOR. • Be aware the clothes are at risk around desks, pens, technical areas – consider this! • Demonstrate your professionalism!

10. The Phone Call • You are available ‘on call’ • Often, but not always you will be called the evening before – the morning is for last minutes sickness and/or family • Do not spread yourself too widely • Do I require any particular type of footwear / clothing?

11. You – the Reliever How it works! • The climate for relief is in your favor – staff are guaranteed 5 non-contacts that are safe! Part timers will be filled up first with casual relief. • You will be part of a pool • The PICOR will rotate relievers – primary source of income

12. The Big Day The PICOR tries to: • Limit your movements • Gives you the responsibility of the same teachers relief • May be asked to do duty – but not likely!

13. Some Advice • Arrive early to collect your daily timetable sheet • Now you can plan your day and get organised – things to check out!

14. Keys? How many – you may get a ‘master key’ • School map – where am I going? – sort the first 2 periods out at least • Do I have work for each class? Read it – check room details are clear • Do I need to collect specialist equipment – video, posters etc

15. Movements to specialist rooms – library, gym etc • Where do I get a register of attendance? • What are they doing? Your subject area or not? • Ask for a couple of white board markers.

16. Start to feel at home – cup of coffee chance to read relief P1 & 2 • Where to sit – introduce yourself and ask where to sit • Meet the HOD or other staff in your area – possible contact for discipline issues

17. If you are relocated to the library, computer rooms etc check the instructions prior to departing each room. • Where do I leave the work set by the teacher? Videos etc • At the end of the day check with PICOR to see if you are needed tomorrow? • If you let one person leave for a drink they will all try it!!

18. The Classroom  Some advice: • Try to be “in” the class • Put your name on the board – if it is difficult give them an alternative e.g. Mrs. A, Miss • Copy work for the period onto the board

19. Remember – Classroom Management Skills • “if you continue you will force me to move you – it’s your choice” • “do you have a seating plan? – right please sit in your allocated place” • “you should be up to question 3 by now!” • What is your ‘pack up’ procedure?

20. The Work This is the majority of your ‘job description’ – it is work as usual in the classroom. The expectations should be made very clearly that the work needs to be completed in full.

21. Things to consider… • If you have a period before a break insist they complete the work before going to break – • Encourage the students to complete the work for homework • Communicate with the teacher setting the work

22. Check the names on the roll: • If you are comfortable with pronunciation do the roll • Try not to distract / interrupt the learning • You may choose to find a ‘diligent’ student and get them to help you • Move around the room looking for names on bags, books etc.

23. Discipline Issues • Ideally – be aware of classroom rules and uphold them • The reality – some students will challenge your knowledge of rules and your resolve! • Advice – do not confiscate items – unless dangerous – make a note to classroom teacher and/or PICOR

24. Procedures • Defiance – not following instructions – no generic punishment • Referral – send an escort with the student and a brief note explaining behavior • Refusal – send a note with a ‘diligent’ student to request assistance • Report – to the PICOR – they know problems and issues for relievers and generally will support you and follow them up.

25. Survival Kit • Refill • Pens • Note pad for messages – school forms should be available but not always • Keep a record of those who leave the room – ‘classroom allergies’

26. Some survival activities – personality tests, shape questionnaire, mind bogglers – make sure you have the answers! • Know the referral system! • Whiteboard markers • Bribery!! Isn’t all bad – rename it competition!!!

27. TroubleshootingWhat is your worst nightmare? • “We’ve already done this work Miss” • “Mrs. A didn’t give us back our books” • “Oh Miss, Mrs. A lets us eat” • “Oh Sir, we’re allowed to listen to our walkmans” • “I haven’t got a pen”

28. “I need to go to the toilet” • “I need to go see Mr. Hessell, we have a meeting” • Student arrives 15 minutes late with no note • “Hey you don’t normally sit there, Miss this isn’t fair” • “I’ve had a text I need to call home”