Teacher Responsibilities

INCENTIVES

Although there is not a financial benefit to teaching a class, we hope that teachers are encouraged to teach because they want to bless the students with their experience and knowledge.  But in order to make the pot a little sweeter, we offer those who teach an opportunity to register their children earlier for classes. Those who teach two classes have priority over those who teach one class.  And those who teach one class have priority over those who co-teach. And to encourage teachers to return, returning teachers get priority over new teachers.  Please see dates for registration for specific days.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. By volunteering to teach or team teach, you are agreeing to participate in co-op for the full school year, so please prayerfully consider before committing.
2. During the Class Submission period, the teacher will determine class descriptions, books, supplies, and minimal fees, including copying costs. Any incurred costs above fees will be covered by the teacher.
3. If teacher’s manuals or other materials are purchased with class fees, they become the property of Discovery Days and will be stored when not in use.
4. Teachers must prepare a syllabus by two weeks before Registration Day. This will aid helpers or another substitute in the event of teacher absence.
5. Teacher are encouraged to distribute and adhere to a syllabus beginning on the first day of class. Parents use the syllabus to assign suitable coursework at home and ensure their children are prepared for class each week.
6. Please abide by the Copyright Guidelines for Teachers at www.halldavidson.net/chartshort.html.
7. All teachers have at least one helper because two adults per class are required. If your absent helper neglected to get a substitute, go to the Parents’ area and request a volunteer.
8. Elementary classes are encouraged to prepare hands-on activities, projects, experiments, and games, and invite dynamic guest speakers.  We discourage lecture only format for this age group. Limit handouts and textbook lessons and substitute crafts, projects, or games.  (In other words, do not expect all homeschooled children to sit quietly and raise their hands to speak.)
9. High school and junior high classes may include lecture, but should largely involve students in discussions, debates, experiments and labs. Please limit games, such as Jeopardy, to the end of chapters, units or semesters as rewards for hard work.
10. Teachers may require the purchase of books for middle school and high school only.
11. The teacher will notify the parent if a student repeatedly fails to complete homework or participate in class.
12. The teacher may send students who are late, disruptive, disrespectful or unprepared for class to study hall (for junior high and high school) or to their parent. This includes whispering among friends and texting during class.
13. Teachers will delegate responsibilities to the Assistants as necessary. We encourage teachers to ask their assistant to help teach a class session at least once per semester, if they are not already teaching another class.  This gives them experience in teaching for future opportunities.
14. In the event of a fire alarm, the teacher and helpers will take the class directly and calmly out of the building through the nearest exit to the parking lot, where they will take attendance. If someone is missing, please notify a Leadership Team member.  Refer to emergency instructions inside your attendance folder, as well as the emergency exit route on the back of the attendance folder.
15. Teachers, helpers and students are responsible for cleaning the room at the end of class and returning tables at the end of fourth period. At the end of each class, be sure the room is better than when class started and do not leave or allow students to leave until then. Return tables and chairs; help put away craft supplies, lab materials, computers or toys; erase boards; put debris in the trash; wipe tables and sweep if necessary.
16. Additionally, the teacher is expected to:

• Print handouts and prepare copies before co-op as we do not have access to the office copier.
• Arrive a few minutes early to set up and to ensure that someone is present when students arrive.
• Maintain order and focus in the class and avoid side conversations with the helpers.
• Be alert to help students who may have trouble but may be too shy to ask for help.
• Start class on time. Do not wait for latecomers.
• End class on time so students will not be late to their next class.
• Keep students in the class until the end of the session.  We do not want students roaming the halls between sessions.

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Do not expect all students to be on the same level.  Some students may be well experienced in the subject matter, while others may be brand-new to the topic.  Regardless of the age group, avoid anything that ridicules or exclude students who cannot keep up.
2. Encourage group work.  Separating students to work independently defeats the purpose of a group class.  In classes such as creative writing, students could do the individual work at home and then bring examples to class to share.
3. For elementary students: If you present informational in a handout, keep in mind the reading levels of your students.  If possible keep it very brief, have the students take turns reading paragraphs aloud, and be sure you use reading material slightly below the students grade level to accommodate all reading levels.  If necessary, rewrite material rather than use original text.  That way, students will not be embarrassed by difficult to pronounce words and will be able to understand the material.  Spend the majority of the time on activities that illustrate the lesson.
4. For middle and high school students: If a student comes to class without his homework, send him/her to Study Hall.  As soon as he completes the homework, he can return to class.  Usually this results in all students being prepared for classes from then on.