A full-time teacher at St. Andrew's is expected to:
- Regularly and promptly attend all required classroom sessions.
- Cooperate enthusiastically with other school personnel to achieve objectives of the School.
- Study the needs of each individual pupil, prepare lesson plans, and counsel with the parents of pupils at reasonable times whenever required or as requested by school officials or parents.
- Maintain accurate and complete student files.
- Meet deadlines for grades, comments, and other requests.
- Devote entire professional efforts, time, and attention to duties as a teacher at St. Andrew's. A teacher or staff member should not engage in any other pursuit for outside remuneration without specific permission of the Division Head and the Head of School. A written request must be submitted annually to the Division Head by the opening day of school in August for the approval of outside employment. If the employment opportunity arises after the beginning of school, the teacher must submit the written request prior to the beginning of the employment.
- Do nothing that will hurt the reputation of the School or hinder the progress of the program.
- Refrain from any form of corporal punishment.
There is another expectation that often remains unspoken, yet is an important foundation of this School:
St. Andrew's is an Episcopal School that recognizes a "God-centered" reality. Though a confession of faith is not a requirement of employment, teachers are expected to support the religious objectives of St. Andrew's and to attend all chapels.
The St. Andrew's teacher or staff member is a role model. He/she shall refrain from offensive or abusive language of any kind, whether directed toward an adult or student. Furthermore, questionable language shall not be used in the presence of students, even in jest.
A teacher or staff member shall not partake of non-prescription drugs (defined as any illegally controlled substance.) A teacher or staff member shall never use alcohol when supervising students or in the company of students at school events or school-sponsored activities.
A teacher or staff member will not bring weapons on campus.
Smoking is not permitted in school buildings or on school grounds at any time.
All employees are expected to comply with the acceptable use policy regarding the use of all computer equipment.
Telephones and/or cell phones and other electronic messaging devices may not be used during class time for personal use. The telephone in each classroom serves the purpose of a PA system to notify classrooms in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the phone can dial directly to the front office of each division and 911 (by dialing 8911). Calls may only be placed outside of the network to parents or for other school business and only when students are not present in the classroom. Students are not allowed to use the classroom phones.
A teacher's or staff member’s private life shall be conducted in such a manner as to reflect credit upon herself/himself and the school. He/she should remember that his/her responsibilities extend beyond the St. Andrew's campus.
A teacher or staff member should be a public relations agent for the School by the public image he/she displays. Discussion of students, colleagues or school matters should be positive and constructive. Aside from more obvious professional considerations, when negative comments are overheard, they can do incalculable damage to personal relationships and the school.
The appearance of individual faculty members reflects not only upon themselves but also upon St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. For this reason, and because we serve as role models for young people, teachers are expected to be dressed and groomed neatly and in moderate taste. The dress should suit the occasion – namely, when teaching, men should wear ties or a button down collared shirt with a sports coat; if there is an event or special day that calls for dressing “down” (e.g., track & field day, a nature field trip, etc.) then more casual wear is sufficient. “Casual Fridays” will not be observed. To repeat, the dress should suit the occasion.
Every teacher shares the burden of maintaining and enforcing the rules and regulations of the School. ALL TEACHERS MUST ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE AND OTHER RULES AT ALL TIMES and issue disciplinary notices as necessary. The School will support the judgment of the teachers.
When a teacher is ill and unable to meet classes, he/she is to arrange for a substitute from the approved list. Basic to any substitute's performance is:
(1) The lesson plan book
(2) Class seating charts
(3) Alternative lesson plans that would be suitable for use by someone not skilled in the particular academic area.
(4) Emergency procedures.
Teachers are responsible for reporting their impending absence to the appropriate division head and also providing the name of the substitute teacher. THIS MUST BE DONE BY PHONE OR IN PERSON. Teachers should instruct the substitute to report upon arrival to the Division office. Teachers must make arrangements for covering out of classroom duties.
Active student supervision is an important aspect of the job description of a teacher. Teachers must be in classrooms at all times when classes are in session. Offices are to be used during non-teaching times only. Teachers must be on time to their assigned duty and be visible to students while on duty. Teachers must be present with their classes while the students are on the playground.
Faculty members are required to attend all faculty meetings, division meetings, parent/teacher conferences, faculty workshops, back-to-school nights and other curriculum/committee meetings to which they have been assigned.
Faculty members are required to prepare the classrooms the week of opening workshop prior to the opening of school and to complete all end of the year responsibilities before leaving for summer vacation.
Faculty members are expected to further their own education through professional reading, workshops, and school visitations. All staff development opportunities should be followed with a written summary to be shared with the faculty. Professional development requests must be first approved by the Division Head before approval by the Head of School.
Faculty members are required to offer extra help sessions as needed before recommending private tutoring and counseling. The Division Head must approve all recommendations for private tutoring and/or educational evaluations prior to conferring with parents. Teachers cannot tutor their own students. Private tutoring by faculty must take place outside of work hours. Anyone tutoring or private coaching to a non-St. Andrew’s student on campus should remit a payment of 15% of the total amount of fees charged to the business office.
All e-mails and phone messages from parents must be responded to within 24 hours.
a) WORK HOURS:
i) Faculty personnel are generally expected to be present on campus during the school day. Other duties or assignments may require his/her presence on campus or elsewhere at various other times. All faculty are to be available from 3:00-3:30 for help sessions. Work hours for faculty members are 7:30 – 3:30.
ii) Twelve-Month Administrative and Clerical Personnel are expected to work a professional work week of at least 40 hours. Office hours are established by the Division Head.
b) OTHER DUTIES:
Duties that are usual and customary in the teaching profession are the responsibility of the teachers when called upon by the School to perform them. These include but are not limited to the following:
Faculty and Association meetings
Before-and after-school duty
Parents' Association meetings and gatherings
Keeping the gates at athletic events
Attendance at specially called grade nights or called meetings of parents
Open House for parents of prospective St. Andrew's students
Interviews of prospective St. Andrew's students
Graduation
Attendance at assemblies and chapels
Chaperone duty
Tutorials
School-sponsored trips and activities
Teachers are expected to support student activities by attendance at social, artistic, and athletic events.
c) CHAIN OF COMMAND:
It is important that the chain of command is followed in every instance when presenting job-related concerns.
d) SOLICITATION:
The Board's position is that any commercial venture (St. Andrew's parents or not) that wishes to solicit the St. Andrew's parent body shall make a proposal to the CFO stating the nature of the solicitation and the guaranteed benefits that would accrue to the School. Final approval from the Head of School is required. Employees will not be allowed to solicit colleagues on campus for personal gain. Any solicitations for other not-for-profits must be approved by the CFO.