As a Probationary Teacher (year 1, 2, or 3), your contractual requirement includes additional staff development beyond the typical teacher contract. To support your completion of these hours, SoWashCo provides cost-free PD, consistent support and updates, mentorship opportunities, and guidance to navigate the system. We are committed to partnering with you to ensure you feel prepared to support our students.

• All 1.0 FTE Probationary Teachers must earn 22.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the end of the school year. We request that these hours be completed by March, 2021. If CEUs are not completed by then, please communicate with James Magee regarding how you will achieve your remaining CEUs by the end of June, 2021.

• For Probationary Teachers who are not 1.0 FTE, multiply your FTE by 22.5 to determine how many probationary CEUs you are required to earn for the 2020-2021 school year. (For instance, if you are a .3 FTE, you would be required to complete 6.75 CEUs).

• Probationary CEUs must be unpaid - meaning ATPPS, PLCs, In-Service Days, or Districtwide PD Days cannot be used toward probationary CEUs.

• You may use external CEUs, earned outside of SoWashCo, as a replacement for the no-cost in-district PD offered by SoWashCo. In order to use external CEUs, they must be obtained during non-contract days/times and they must be unpaid. Follow these instructions to submit external CEUs.

• Probationary Teachers must work 120 contracted days during the 2020-2021 school year for the year to count as a probationary year.

• CEUs achieved during August's SoWashCo Academy are still being processed. Expect to hear communication regarding your CEU status by December 2020.

• Q: What is the difference between hours and CEUs?

  • A: In most cases in SoWashCo, hours and CEUs are 1-to-1 (1 hour of PD equates to 1 CEU).

• Q: What if I am a part time employee, such as .6 FTE?

  • A: The number of CEUs you are required to obtain is prorated based on your contract. To determine, multiply your FTE by 22.5 (a .6 FTE would be required to complete 13.5 probationary CEUs).

• Q: How can New Teachers and Probationary Teacher fulfill their CEUs?

  • A: The majority of New Teachers and Probationary Teachers earn their CEUs during the New Teacher Orientation and SoWashCo Academy. There are other options though. You can earn CEUs through non-district workshops or conferences.

• Q: What is the deadline for completing Probationary CEUs?

  • A: We request that Probationary CEUs be completed by March, 2021. If CEUs are not completed by then, please communicate with James Magee regarding how you will achieve your remaining CEUs by the end of June, 2021.

• Q: What happens if I do not complete my CEUs?

  • A: SoWashCo reserves the right not to retain probationary teachers based on the completion of these hours and reserves the right to not award you a year on your contract.

• Q: What options do I have to earn CEUs as a New Teacher or Probationary Teacher if I missed SoWashCo Academy?

  • A: SoWashCo will offer courses throughout the year that can apply for your CEUs. You can also use out of district (external) workshops as long as you are not paid to attend and as long as it is not during your contract time.

• Q: Why can't I use ATPPS days or staff development days for my CEUs?

  • A: Technically, you have already been paid, per your contract, for these Probationary CEUs; so, you cannot be compensated for the CEUs you obtain for Probationary CEUs. The CEUs also cannot be part of your normal work contract; for example, you cannot use PTO to attend a conference. This would be considered double-dipping.

• Q: Who should I contact about questions related to CEUs?

  • A: First, you should contact your Mentor or your site's Instructional Coach. If you need further assistance, please contact James Magee, Coordinator of Professional Development, at jmagee@sowashco.org.