Guidelines for Relief Teachers

Getting Started

• Visit a range of school • Consider the schools – do they suit your

criteria• Proximity • Culture• Co-ed / single• Primary / secondary

Steps to Success

• Prepare your CV and Covering Letter

• Emphasize your strengths• Subjects• Experience• Flexibility – technical, PE, special needs• Availability – days, time, part time, hour by

hour

The School

• Make an appointment with the Person in

Charge of Relief – PICOR

• Your CV is also useful if staffing needs arise within the school, they are often filled by relieving staff.

The Interview

Take to the interview:

• MOE number• Tax number – you will have forms to complete• Bank account details• CV with referees• Days, times, subjects

• Request an information pack that you can take away. It will contain details like:

• Evacuation procedure• Uniform rules• Classroom rules• Discipline system• School map • Bell times

Advance questions:

• Keys – where to collect them

• Staff relief – where is it located

• Where is the staffroom/bathroom

• Time of staff meeting – arrive 15 minutes before this.

The Pay

• Trained or untrained

• Limited Authority to Teach

• Depending on your Step

• Keep a diary of dates, times and schools – payment is delayed.

Dress Code

• Be the detective! Have a look at other staff on your visit. If in doubt ask the PICOR.

• Be aware the clothes are at risk around

desks, pens, technical areas – consider this!

• Demonstrate your professionalism!

The Phone Call

• You are available ‘on call’ • Often, but not always you will be called the evening

before – the morning is for last minutes sickness and/or family

• Do not spread yourself too widely • Do I require any particular type of footwear / clothing?

How it works!

• The climate for relief is in your favor – staff are guaranteed 5 non-contacts that are safe! Part timers will be filled up first with casual relief.

• You will be part of a pool

• The PICOR will rotate relievers – primary source of income

You – the Reliever

The Big Day

The PICOR tries to: • Limit your movements

• Gives you the responsibility of the same teachers relief

• May be asked to do duty – but not likely!

Some Advice

• Arrive early to collect your daily timetable

sheet • Now you can plan your day and get organised

– things to check out!

• Keys? How many – you may get a ‘master key’ • School map – where am I going? – sort the first 2 periods

out at least • Do I have work for each class? Read it – check room

details are clear • Do I need to collect specialist equipment – video, posters

etc

• Movements to specialist rooms – library, gym etc • Where do I get a register of attendance? • What are they doing? Your subject area or not? • Ask for a couple of white board markers.

• Start to feel at home – cup of coffee chance to read relief P1 & 2

• Where to sit – introduce yourself and ask where to sit

• Meet the HOD or other staff in your area – possible contact for discipline issues

• If you are relocated to the library, computer rooms etc check the instructions prior to departing each room.

• Where do I leave the work set by the teacher? Videos etc

• At the end of the day check with PICOR to see if you are needed tomorrow?

• If you let one person leave for a drink they will all try it!!

The Classroom

Some advice:

• Try to be “in” the class

• Put your name on the board – if it is difficult give them an alternative e.g. Mrs. A, Miss

• Copy work for the period onto the board

• Remember – Classroom Management Skills• “if you continue you will force me to move you

– it’s your choice”• “do you have a seating plan? – right please sit

in your allocated place”• “you should be up to question 3 by now!”• What is your ‘pack up’ procedure?

The Work

This is the majority of your ‘job description’ – it

is work as usual in the classroom. The expectations should be made very clearly that the work needs to be completed in full.

Things to consider…

• If you have a period before a break insist they complete the work before going to break –

• Encourage the students to complete the work for homework

• Communicate with the teacher setting the work

Check the names on the roll:• If you are comfortable with pronunciation do

the roll• Try not to distract / interrupt the learning• You may choose to find a ‘diligent’ student and

get them to help you• Move around the room looking for names on

bags, books etc.

Discipline Issues

• Ideally – be aware of classroom rules and uphold them

• The reality – some students will challenge your knowledge of rules and your resolve!

• Advice – do not confiscate items – unless dangerous – make a note to classroom teacher and/or PICOR

Procedures

• Defiance – not following instructions – no generic punishment

• Referral – send an escort with the student and a brief note explaining behavior

• Refusal – send a note with a ‘diligent’ student to request assistance

• Report – to the PICOR – they know problems and issues for relievers and generally will support you and follow them up.

Survival Kit

• Refill

• Pens

• Note pad for messages – school forms should be available but not always

• Keep a record of those who leave the room – ‘classroom allergies’

• Some survival activities – personality tests, shape questionnaire, mind bogglers – make sure you have the answers!

• Know the referral system!

• Whiteboard markers

• Bribery!! Isn’t all bad – rename it competition!!!

TroubleshootingWhat is your worst nightmare?

1. “We’ve already done this work Miss”

2. “Mrs. A didn’t give us back our books”

3. “Oh Miss, Mrs. A lets us eat”

4. “Oh Sir, we’re allowed to listen to our walkmans”

5. “I haven’t got a pen”

1. “I need to go to the toilet”

2. “I need to go see Mr. Hessell, we have a meeting”

3. Student arrives 15 minutes late with no note

4. “Hey you don’t normally sit there, Miss this isn’t fair”

5. “I’ve had a text I need to call home”