Teacher Handbook

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your willingness to serve our community by sharing your gifts and energies in order to teach a co-op class!!!  We would not have a co-op without volunteer moms willing to teach.  

Teacher Requirements:

The only prerequisite we require of our teachers is that they are able to sign a basic statement of Christian faith (included below).  Teachers can be first year homeschool moms, veteran homeschool moms, dads, grandparents, and qualified community members.  

Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible is the infallible, inerrant word of God, and it is the supreme and final authority for all matters of faith and life. Reference: 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:20-21, Matt. 5:18, John 5:39, Luke 24:24

We believe in one God, the Creator of all, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Reference: Gen. 1:1, Deut. 4:39, John 10:30, Col. 1:16, Matt. 28:19

We believe that the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit is to convict men of their sin, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. Reference: Gen. 1:1, Deut. 4:39, John 10:30, Col. 1:16, Matt. 28:19

We believe in the perfect deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His sacrificial death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension and His bodily return in power and glory. Reference: John 1:1, Phil. 2:6, Matt. 1:23-25, 1 John 3:5, Heb. 4:15

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but chose to sin and is therefore lost and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone are saved. Reference: Gen 1:27, Rom 3:23-25

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the Cross, paid the penalty for man’s sin, through His shed blood. Reference: 1 Cor. 1:30, 1 John 1:9, Rom. 10:9,10, John 10:27-28

That all who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are born again of the Holy Spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and by the Holy Spirit baptized into the Body of Christ, the Church, of which He is the risen and ascended Head. Reference: 1 Cor. 12:12-14, Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 1:18

The early Church met together and "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" --God's pattern for the Church today. Reference: Acts 2:42, 1 Cor. 12:12, Heb. 10:25, Eph. 4:11-32

We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexualconduct, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, any use of pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God. References: Gen. 1:27-28, Rom. 1:26-27, 1 Cor. 6:9-20.

Class Notes and Requirements:

The ABCS Admin team allows teachers to select class topics and design or decide which curriculum to use.  It might even be wise to have a couple different plans in place depending on how it goes with your particular age group. For instance, they might be more advanced or younger academically then you were planning.  Will you be prepared to adjust accordingly?

All the admin team expects is that teachers due their due diligence to create classes that are age appropriate and would be of interest to our students.   It is also important to note that this is an elective and social style co-op.  Moms of our co-op want to make their own decision for core subjects, but want their children to have enriching educational and friend making opportunities on co-op days.  To that end, teachers should strive for classes that are interactive and fun.  Classes should not involve homework, unless the students are in junior high or high school, and then homework will be optional. Classes are one hour long, and will be limited to a max of 12-15 students.  

Teachers are responsible for setting up their rooms and for doing a quick clean up following class.  Teachers that teach the second hour, should clean as much as they can and if possible reset the room as best they can.  

Communication Expectations

The more communication that happens between teachers and moms of students, the smoother co-op experience we will have for everyone.  Teachers will be expected to communicate with co-op leadership in advance of the upcoming term what their class fee will be, and will also need to provide a detailed course description so that leadership can prepare courses for registration.   The course should be detailed enough that moms clearly understand the content, nature, and expectations of the course.  It would be wise to inlcude which books or curriculums you have used in planning, or a course syllabi/calendar of what students will be learning about each week for the ten weeks.  If anything might be questionable or controversial in nature, it is best practice to give parents a heads up and provide reasoning why this material will be covered.  It would also be best practice to send out an email each week prior to co-op to give a summary of the upcoming class, or right after co-op to provide a description of what happened in class and what students learned about. 

Screens can be used in class, but we asked that they be depended on lightly and with discretion.  Remember, ads play before every youtube video so maybe having your video already played through the ad before it is showed to students is a good idea. 

Absence Protocol 

Teachers who are going to be absent must promptly arrange with their assistants to substitute, and provide them with class plans, supplies, and anything necessary to teach.  Assistants must be prepared to sub the class in the event that the lead teacher cannot make it to co-op.  It would be wise for teachers and assistants to work together in advance on a tentative plan for teacher absences so that classes can run smoothly with last minute changes.

Reimbursement Policies

Teachers will receive their class fee per student back via a check in their family folder after the start of the semester.  The admin team is not able to reimburse more than the class fee that was set.  

Discipline and Classroom Management 

We are a Christian co-op and believe it honors God when our students are obedient to adults and respectful of their fellow students. Each classroom teacher will explain his or her own class rules to the students so that they understand what is expected of them during that class. 

If a student displays a disregard for the rules or commits a serious offense, the following processes will take place:

First Offense:  The student receives a clear warning from the teacher or other adult in charge. 

Second Offense: The student is removed from the class and taken to their parent or guardian.

Third Offense: The student and parent will meet with a member of the leadership team to determine the next course of action. 

In the event of expulsion, there will be no refund of fees.