Teacher and Student Expectations

Teacher Expectations:

• Since we are not a drop-off co-op one parent per family must be present on site at all times. For consistency, this needs to be the same parent each week unless alternate arrangements have been made with co-op leadership ahead of time. For the rest of this section, that parent is referred to as a teacher.
  • Sometimes the other parent would like to teach a class for one semester. When this happens, both parents will be placed in that class together, along with a co-teacher (so there will be three adults). The couple is expected to cover for each other if one is absent due to a work conflict. The main co-op parent will still be assigned to a second class. Here’s an example:
    • Let’s say Mom usually attends co-op, but Dad wants to teach a class one semester about something he really loves. Mom and Dad will be placed together in Dad’s class and they will have a co-teacher placed with them. If Dad needs to miss a week of co-op because of work, Mom will be expected to teach that week with the help of the co-teacher—there will be no sub requested. If the whole family is missing, there will be one sub requested and the co-teacher should teach the class, just as would happen in any other class.
    • This applies to any outside person who wants to come in to lead a class for a semester (another adult family member, art or music teacher, square dancing, etc.).
• Teachers are expected to teach 2 out of 3 class periods. The third period is their off period where they can socialize with other adults or whatever else they choose as long as they remain in the building or courtyard.
  • When we have teacher absences, those on their off period may be asked to sub. Please refer to the substitute policy for those expectations.
• A teacher will work with his/her co-teacher to plan and design the class. You are expected to:
  • Create a lesson plan or idea for each 50-minute class. This can be done well in advance or the week prior but shouldn't be planned the day of class.
    • Each teaching pair should turn in a substitute lesson plan no later than 7 days prior to the start of the semester for all classes. Detailed instructions are in an email sent before the start of the semester.
  • Gather all needed supplies.
    • The co-op has an art bin and can provide other small supplies if requested and approved by the treasurer.
    • Make sure all copying/printing is done before your class starts. We have access to a copy machine but it is not always reliable. Please copy as much off site as possible.
    • Any supplies brought in from home should be taken back home with you. We do not have storage for individual class supplies.
      • Often a teacher will bring in non-consumable or some extra consumable supplies from her own home. Unless prior approval is given, no supplies will be reimbursed by the co-op.
  • Teach the class in a way that is engaging and interesting to the students.
    • We know that most of you are not trained teachers so it may take time to learn how to teach a class. It often sounds harder to teach a class than it actually is! If you need help or ideas, please talk to your co-teacher or someone on the board. We are here to help you!
  • Share the load with your co-teacher.
    • We want to prevent burnout so please plan on co-teaching and not just showing up to help.
    • Sometimes we have a teacher who has expertise in the subject of the class and wants to do all the teaching and/or planning. Find out how you can best help them so their expertise can shine without them burning out.
  • Be prepared to plan and teach the class if your co-teacher is absent. You will have a sub to help you during class.
• If teaching 1st period, arrive at least 10 minutes before co-op begins so you can set up your classroom and be ready to start after the opening.

Student Expectations:

• Students will attend classes for their appropriate age group.
  • Our age group cutoff for classes is October 1 of the current school year. Students who have a birthday between October 1 and the start of the spring semester will remain with the same age group for the spring semester. They will move up to the next age group the following fall.
  • For safety and security reasons, each student needs to attend a class each period and cannot choose to sit out of one period just because they don't like the class or the teacher.
    • If there is a genuine concern with one of the teachers or the subject matter being taught, please talk to the Class Coordinator or Director.
  • We understand that some little ones like or need to be with their parent more often. This is completely understandable and acceptable for anyone aged 3 and below.
    • All students in a school aged class (ages 4 and up) should be able to mostly attend class on their own.
    • If a school aged child needs their parent at any time during the morning, the hall monitor can assist the child in finding their parent. If this happens frequently, we will work with you and your child to help them transition into class.
    • Students are welcome to bring a small comfort item from home as long as it does not become a distraction during class time.
• Students will maintain proper attitudes during class and be respectful of the teachers and other students.
  • If there is an issue, please refer to the discipline policy for further details.
• Students who have a phone will leave it out of sight for class. Teachers may allow phone use at their discretion.
• Special needs/accommodations
  • If a child needs accommodations in a class for any reason, it is important to communicate those with the director or class coordinator BEFORE registering for classes. Once registration has begun it is more difficult to create reasonable accommodations.
    • We will do the very best we can to accommodate your child's needs, but we are all volunteer homeschooling parents and do have our limits.
    • Please communicate the needed accommodations so we can discuss if the accommodations can be met in a reasonable way.
    • Because we're all parents and doing the best we can for our kids, most co-teachers are willing to adapt and adjust for each child providing it doesn't take away from other children.
    • Accommodations may or may not include:
      • Ensuring the parent is a co-teacher in the child's classes. The parent will be expected to be a full co-teacher and not just a 1:1 assistant for their child.
      • Preregistering a child into a specific class due to incompatibility with the alternate class.
      • Discussing suggested accommodations with the co-teachers of a class to see if they can be met within each class setting.
      • Including the child in some activities and allowing them to sit quietly on the side for others.
      • Aging a child down by one age group to where all classes may be more appropriate.
• Bring supplies
  • • a water bottle with the child’s name on it
    • a backpack to carry their supplies and anything they make during their classes
    • a jacket for going outside
    • a snack, if desired, for Grub Hub
    • for the youngest students, a change of clothes and diaper/wipes as needed, as well as a bag to hold any wet or soiled clothing