In-Service

Required Learning

Suicide Prevention

This in-service is a requirement of all teachers each year. You will be automatically enrolled in the correct classs on PLAN. Since it is an online class, you will access and complete the content through PLAN. You will earn 2 hours of in-service credit for this required class, but you must complete the class outside of your regular work hours.

Annual Employee Training

Annual Employee Training is another yearly requirement. If you are hired before the start of the school year, this class will be completed with your administration in August. If you in-process after the school year begins, Annual Employee Training will be an online class you will be required to complete within one week of your in-processing date.

PRIDE District and School Orientation

Orientation is a requirement for all teachers new to CMCSS. District Orientation is a two-day class that provides the foundation for teaching in CMCSS. School Orientation is a one-day class that will acclimate teachers to the expectations specific to their building. A condensed version of each orientation will be provided to teachers hired after the start of the school year.

Bullying Awareness Training

CMCSS takes a firm stance on bullying. For this reason, bullying awareness training is a requirement of all new hires. The bullying training will allow you to better recognize, address, and prevent bullying in our schools. You will register for this class during in-processing and will need to complete the training within your first month in the system.

Content Awareness and Sensitivity

There are two different classes. One is specific to social studies and the other is specific to science content. Social studies teachers in grades 6-12 are required to take the social studies course. Science teachers in grades 6-12 are required to take the science course. Any educator in grades 3-5 will be required to complete both online courses.

Dyslexia - Module 1

Interventionists will need to complete the first module of the dyslexia training.

Weekly Faculty Meetings

Your principal will tell you on which day your weekly faculty meeting will occur. Although you may participate in other activities on those designated days (e.g. data chats, PLC, book study, etc.), you are required to keep that day and time open every week.

How much in-service do I need?

All teachers on a 100% contract are required by the State Board of Education to complete 30 hours of in-service. The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System requires teachers to obtain 12 of these hours on the scheduled in-service days. Thirty hours minus 12 hours equals 18 hours for you to complete on your own, outside of your contractual work day. Three days, or 18 hours are the minimum requirement. All in-service offered by CMCSS is free. You may attend as many hours as you need without overextending yourself.

Teachers often ask if college courses they take may count toward the in-service requirement. The answer is NO. You may not "double dip" or receive credit twice for the same training. If you receive college credit, you may NOT also receive in-service credit.
In-service hours DO NOT bank or rollover from one year to the next. Even if you earn 36 hours this year, you'll still have to earn a minimum of 18 next year. There are severe professional consequences for not completing the required hours. You may read about those in the in-service guidelines on the CMCSS website.

If you are working less than a full contract, you may visit the resources tab on PLAN to determine how many hours you need.

Searching for in-service

There are many ways to search for classes on PLAN. From the Courses tab, you may conduct a keyword search or an advanced search. If you select show all, you will have access to the left navigation menu that will allow you to narrow your search results by subject, grade level, TEAM rubric indicator, course type, or credit type.

If you can't find what you're looking for, keep checking back periodically. Classes are added to PLAN throughout the school year.

Cancelling an in-service

If you need to withdraw from a class once you've registered, you must do so at least 72 hours before the in-service is scheduled to start. Simply log into PLAN and locate the option within the "My Learning Opportunities" section on the homepage.

If it is less than 72 hours before the start of the in-service, you will need to email PlanHelp (planhelp@cmcss.net) explaining your reason for cancellation. We understand emergencies arise, and "excused absence" status will be given for legitimate emergencies. Forgetting, oversleeping, having the wrong date, being on vacation, or just deciding not to attend are not considered emergencies. In such circumstances, you will be considered a "No Show," and you may be charged a $30 fee.

Site-Based In-Service

It is smart professional practice to attend the site-based in-services offered at your school. These are in-service activities planned especially for you and your faculty. The professional learning activities are based on the School Improvement Plan and other identified needs. You should NOT attend site-based in-services of other schools.

Tracking Professional Learning

PLAN keeps track of your professional learning activities. For a quick look at the amount of in-service credit you have for the current school year, log in to PLAN and look for the "Reporting" box on the homepage. Click the "Run Report" icon for the current school year to see a quick list of the number of hours you have completed and are currently registered to receive.

For a complete list of your professional learning activities, you will want to access your transcript. From the PLAN homepage, locate the "My Learning Opportunities" section. Select the link to "My Transcript" to see a full list of activities with totals at the botton of the page categorized by in-service, training, and stipend amounts.

Custom Professional Learning Activities

It is possible to receive in-service credit for attending conferences, workshops, or trainings held outside of CMCSS. In order to receive credit, the class must align with your teaching responsibilities and/or your professional growth plan.

BEFORE YOU ATTEND, you must receive prior approval from your principal and complete the Custom Professional Learning Activity form, PRD-F005. This document is also available on the resources tab in PLAN.

Once you have received pre-approval and have attended the professional learning activity, you will complete the remainder of the process in PLAN. Simply select the tab at the top of the page for Custom PLA Credit. Once on that tab, click the link to the instructions (see image below) and use the directions to click on and complete a New Credit Request. Fill in the required blanks and upload the required documentation.

Questions?

All questions about in-service and PLAN should be addressed to Plan Help (planhelp@cmcss.net). If you have specific questions about New Teacher activities, please contact Tina Smith (tina.smith@cmcss.net).