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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

What you need to know can often be what mentors and Association Reps sometimes forget to tell you — the basics. It's information that they simply take for granted. So, if you already know where to park and you have your grade-book in hand, here are some more things to know and have.

 

Know:

    • Your school hours
    • Your classroom and curriculum duties and responsibilities
    • Additional duties and responsibilities such as bus, hall and lunch duties
    • The contract language or policy on: 
      • Homework
      • Dispensing medication
      • Referrals to special programs
      • Email and Internet usage
      • Grading
      • Fire Drills and lock-downs
      • Field trips
    • How to handle a sick day, personal leave day or an emergency for you
    • Who to contact in case of a classroom or school emergency
    • When faculty, team or other regular meetings are held
    • Where and how to get classroom supplies
    • How to communicate with parents
    • How to fill out school forms
    • How and when you are paid; payroll deductions
    • What insurance coverage you have
    • When is open house and what is the policy or procedure for it

 

 Be sure you have:

    • Required district forms such as W-2, insurance enrollment, teaching license, contract
    • Grade book or other student record forms
    • Calendar
    • A copy of the student handbook

 

Forms you will need during the first week:

    • Accident reports
    • Absence reports
    • Hall passes

 

Other Helpful Resources

 

People

    • Your mentor
    • Your Association leaders and building representatives
    • Your UniServ Coordinator
    • TEA Headquarters Staff (800-342-8367) in Instruction and Professional Development, Government Relations, Communications and Research

 

Websites

 

TEA serves over 52,000 members across the state by providing information on professional development, bargaining, legislative action and communications. You will find conference schedules, the latest education news and important dates to remember on this site. 

 

Beginning Teachers on the Web, again provided by NEA, includes hands-on tips, printable resources and interactive features especially designed for new teachers in the NEA Teacher Toolkit.

 

Works4Me provides weekly practical classroom tips submitted by teachers across the country. You can join the mailing list and receive two tips each week, courtesy of the National Education Association. Also available is an archive of more than 400 tips, ideas and solutions that you can use in your classroom right now.