Teacher Responsibilities
By volunteering to teach or co-teach, you are committing to attending the full school year.
- Class Planning
- Submit class descriptions, book lists, supply lists, and minimal fees (including copying costs) during the Class Submission period.
- Cover any expenses beyond collected fees.
- Prepare a syllabus to structure class and aid assistants and substitutes.
- Prepare and turn in 2 class-specific substitute plans, in case of unplanned absence.
- Materials
- If teacher’s manuals or other materials are purchased with class fees, they become property of Discovery Days and will be stored when not in use.
- Print handouts and make copies before co-op (the office copier is not available).
- Classroom Management
- Two adults must be present in each class. If an assistant is absent, let Hall Monitor know.
- Maintain order and avoid side conversations with helpers.
- Begin and end class on time. Students should remain in class until the session ends.
- Notify parents if a student consistently fails to complete homework or participate.
- Send disruptive, disrespectful, or unprepared students to their parent.
- Instruction Style
- Elementary: Focus on hands-on activities, projects, experiments, and games.
- Middle/High School: Include lecture and discussion, but emphasize debate, labs, and collaborative learning. Use games sparingly as end-of-unit rewards.
- Teamwork
- Work with assistants, delegating responsibilities as needed, including attendance.
- Encourage assistants to lead a class session at least once per semester (if not already teaching elsewhere).
- Safety & Cleanup
- Follow emergency procedures listed in the attendance folder. In a fire alarm, calmly escort students outside, take attendance, and report missing persons to Leadership.
- At the end of class, ensure the room is cleaner than you found it:
- Return tables/chairs to original positions
- Put away materials and supplies and erase boards.
- Throw away trash
- Wipe tables/sweep entire room
Teaching Suggestions
- Recognize varying student levels; avoid anything that excludes or ridicules those less experienced.
- Encourage group work and collaboration rather than individual seatwork.
- Encourage assistants to lead a class session at least once per semester (if not already teaching elsewhere).
- Keep handouts brief, use age-appropriate reading levels, and focus primarily on activities and interactive learning.
