Teacher & Staff Expectations

Teacher & Staff Expectations


All Faculty & Staff are Expected to:

    • Adhere to school hours: 6:45am - 2: 45pm.

    • Staff must sign-in in the front office each morning between 6:30am -6:40am and be on duty post by 6:45am.

    • Support the total school program. Attendance at the various student activities is essential to encourage and support our students.

    • Believe that all students can and will learn and provide them the individualized support they need to be successful.

    • Adhere to Board Policies as well as the N.C. Professional Code of Conduct.

    • Treat everyone with mutual respect and dignity.

    • Be professional at all times; unprofessional behavior cannot and will not be defended.

    • Dress in a professional manner at all times. Shorts, athletic shoes, flip-flops and hats are not considered professional attire and are not to be worn at any time.

    • Observe all school policies and procedures.

    • Attend parent-teacher conferences when requested and all faculty/department/content meetings as scheduled.

    • Attend all school sponsored staff development meetings/workshops.

    • Reserve every Wednesday from 2:30pm - 3:30 pm for Faculty Meetings, Department Meetings, Professional Development, etc... Wednesday Meetings are REQURIED!

    • Faculty & staff are not to use cell phones or electronic devices in the presence of students (i.e. classrooms, hallways, etc.). Remember we are setting examples for our students.

    • Adhere to school hours. Supervision of students begins at 6:45am and ends at 2:30pm. Teachers shall supervise students at all times. Teachers should not leave campus without the permission of an administrator and without completing the sign out process in the main office with your department administrator's signature.

    • Communicate on a regular basis with parents. Voicemail and email must be checked daily and all calls and emails returned within a 24--hour time period. Be available for parents.

    • If you need to LEAVE the building at anytime during school hours you must Sign out with your Department Administrator.

    • Use PLC time for Professional Learning, Data Analysis, and All Things PLC.

    • All staff members are expected to join the PTSA at the beginning of each school year. One hundred percent participation is our goal. Rocky River High School staff and students benefit directly from all the efforts and resources of the PTSA.

    • Do not accept the status quo – Always strive for improvement.

All Teachers are Expected to:

    • Provide each student with a syllabus that includes:

        • Course Title

        • Instructor

        • Tutoring Hours

        • School phone number

        • E-mail

        • Textbook(s)

        • Wiki page address/facebook/schoology, etc

        • Course Description

        • Course Objectives

        • Course Topics

        • Major Projects (include specific due date or time frame)

        • Classroom management plan

- Rules and consequences for behavior

- Positive reinforcement

- Plan to teach rules and procedures to students

- How/when you will communicate with parents

        • Course Requirements

        • Class Attendance Policy

        • Late for Class and Late Assignments Policy

        • Homework Policy

        • Resources, References and Supplies

        • Grading system (See CMS High School Grading Policy)

    • Be at their doors between every class and at their assigned duty posts before and after school as well as lunch.

    • Begin class promptly; input attendance into PowerSchool (HomeBase) at the beginning of each class and take appropriate action for tardiness to class.

    • Provide appropriate, quality instruction to all students and be sensitive to individual needs.

        • Set extremely high expectations and standards

        • Actively engage students at all times

        • Teach for learning and mastery

        • Teach Standards Aligned instruction

        • Differentiate your lessons for various levels of students

        • Provide extra help, time and targeted resources for all students

        • Assess students frequently and monitor the progress of all students

        • Analyze student data and plan corrective instruction accordingly

        • Utilize a variety of teaching strategies and materials

    • Implement effective classroom management techniques. Organize your classroom to ensure that discipline does not interfere with instruction.

    • Update grades in PowerSchool (HomeBase) weekly.

    • Actively participate in PLC’s in a consistent and ongoing basis. Minimum of two PLC meetings a week/ 45-60 minutes each.

    • Initiate contact with parents when students perform unacceptably in class, academically or behaviorally; it is also appropriate to contact parents when students demonstrate outstanding and/or markedly improved performance. Document all contact with parents/guardians in a parent contact log.

    • Initiate contact with parents of students who have excessive absences (i.e. more than 5) and/or tardies.

    • Present learning opportunities at the learning level of individual students. Be sensitive to the individualized needs of all students.

    • Post clear goals and objectives that are understood by all students.

    • Keep students focused and learning for the duration of the class period.

    • Utilize effective discipline techniques and maintain student control.

    • Provide motivation for all individuals and seek assistance from your department chair, lead teacher, administration, guidance or your peers when there is minimal success.

    • Cooperate with the administration, student services department and parents on particular student academic and emotional concerns.

    • Comply with Public School Law 91-142 for implementing IEP’s, as well as 504 modifications and Intervention Team plans.

    • Return parent phone calls and/or emails within 24 hours.

    • Use the enrichment/intervention block with fidelity and purpose.

Classroom Responsibilities

    • Teachers are expected to be on duty by 6:45 each morning. To ensure Adult presence in the building at 6:45 am.

    • Teachers must not leave their classroom unattended. In case of an emergency, the teacher should notify an administrator or the front office.

    • Students are not to be in classrooms unsupervised at any time.

    • Each teacher is responsible for the condition of his/her room. Facility problems will be reported to Mr. Lamb.

    • Notify department chair, front office, and department administrator if your class is moving to a different location and put a note on your door.

    • Keep your hands and other parts of your body to yourself. Use verbal praise and reinforcement.

    • Do not attempt to restrain a student from leaving your classroom or other area.

    • Do not use physical contact or objects to gain a student’s attention or wake them up.

    • Establish and follow a consistent behavior plan. Treat each student with respect. Know the student’s rights.

    • Do not take children home with you, transport them, or allow them to drive your vehicle.

    • Develop a social contract with each class.

    • Refer students to the appropriate resource person for counseling and/or discussions about personal matters. Be sure to notify guidance, in person or by white phone, immediately if you have a student concern (suicide, abuse or neglect, cutting, etc.).

Dispersal lists

  • Each staff member is required to keep an accurate, up-to-date dispersal list on the shared drive. Please update all student information as new students enroll/withdraw and as changes to transportation are made. Student safety is our first priority and as teachers, you play an integral part in keeping these records accurate to ensure student safety.

  • When implementing the dispersal plan, team members should collect all students, take attendance, and then escort students to their respective dispersal locations. Please do not simply post a dispersal list on the classroom door.


Substitute Teachers

  • To facilitate order in his/her classroom during absence, teachers are expected to furnish substitutes with clear and definite assignments. Substitute folders or “sub tubs” should be left in an obvious place and include the information needed to provide clear instructions.

Emergency Sub Plans

  • Teachers will create an up-to-date substitute folder that will be kept in your classroom (easily accessible). This should include alternative/emergency plans in case your plans are not available. The purpose of this is to have procedures and routines in writing for any substitute at any time. All substitute folders must also include a copy of our school’s Safe Schools Plan and the most current classroom dismissal roster.

  • If a staff member is absent for more than three consecutive workable days, a note from a medical professional is required upon return to work.