Beginning Teacher Beginning Teacher Assistance ProgramAssistance Program

Audio Lesson 1Audio Lesson 1

Documents Important to Documents Important to All Teachers All Teachers

Your Annual ChecklistYour Annual ChecklistWhether it is your first year of teaching or your twentieth, Whether it is your first year of teaching or your twentieth,

there are documents and conditions with which every teacher there are documents and conditions with which every teacher should be familiar.should be familiar.

1. Contract - 1. Contract - Pay attention to:Pay attention to: current placement (step plus hours) on salary schedule. current placement (step plus hours) on salary schedule.

NOTE: Your actual number of years of teaching may not NOTE: Your actual number of years of teaching may not be the same as that used for your placement on the be the same as that used for your placement on the salary schedule.salary schedule.

amount of salary, number of payments, and benefits.amount of salary, number of payments, and benefits. beginning date and total days of employment.beginning date and total days of employment. current position and any extra duties (i.e. coaching, current position and any extra duties (i.e. coaching,

sponsorship, field trips, etc.).sponsorship, field trips, etc.). general statements regarding job responsibilities.general statements regarding job responsibilities. board policies, whether or not stated in writing in the board policies, whether or not stated in writing in the

contract.contract.

ChecklistChecklist cont. cont.2. Board Policy Book - 2. Board Policy Book - Know where it is located (either Know where it is located (either

electronic or hard copy). Some commonly used sections are:electronic or hard copy). Some commonly used sections are: PersonnelPersonnel

a.a. DutiesDutiesb.b. Leave policiesLeave policies – some are required by law; some are at – some are required by law; some are at

discretion of school boarddiscretion of school boardc.c. BenefitsBenefits – district can giveth and district can taketh – district can giveth and district can takethd.d. Evaluation processEvaluation processe.e. Professional developmentProfessional developmentf.f. GrievancesGrievances – regular/civil rights – regular/civil rightsg.g. Early releaseEarly release requirements requirements

Students and Staff RelationsStudents and Staff Relations Staff and Staff RelationsStaff and Staff Relations Technology/Usage AgreementsTechnology/Usage Agreements Instruction/Curriculum/MAP TestingInstruction/Curriculum/MAP Testing

Checklist cont.Checklist cont.

3. Salary Schedule and Addendums3. Salary Schedule and Addendums

4. Paycheck and Stub – know your deductions (i.e. taxes, 4. Paycheck and Stub – know your deductions (i.e. taxes, MSTA dues, retirement plan, cafeteria plan, etc.)MSTA dues, retirement plan, cafeteria plan, etc.)

5. Procedures for Substitutes5. Procedures for Substitutes

6. Emergency Procedures and Guidelines (fire, weather, 6. Emergency Procedures and Guidelines (fire, weather, and safe schools)and safe schools)

7. Professional Development Book7. Professional Development Book