Teacher Expectations

Communication

  • Student Hours

    • 3 hours per week

    • Teacher can determine time of day for student hours, but it must not conflict with teacher contract time.

  • Video and Written Announcements

    • Video announcements a minimum of 3 times per week

    • Announcements must include both video and text

    • Instruction must be embedded in at least one video per week

    • See Launch Announcement Expectations for more information regarding announcements

  • Video Conferences

    • Available during student hours to conference live with students, as needed

  • Student Questions/Requests

    • During student hours - within 30 minutes

    • Outside of student hours - ASAP, no longer than one business day

    • Any communication outside of Canvas inbox must be documented in Dropout Detective

  • Open House Welcome call to all students prior to the course start or 24 hours within a student entering the course.

  • Weekly phone calls will be made home to low participation and D or F students, as directed by the Launch team.

  • Launch teachers must use their SPS email account to communicate with students and parents. No other email account can be linked to Canvas.



Announcements in a virtual setting should be inviting and engage the student in the learning process. Not only do they provide a way for teachers to announce important reminders, but they should also provide just in time instruction for difficult content. Announcements should allow virtual learners to feel their instructors presence in the classroom and make it clear they are there to help.


  • Teacher announcements will be delivered in both text and video format three times per week. The first announcement should be posted Monday of that week.


  • Announcements should include reminders and a list of tasks for the week, including a walk-through of the assignment(s).


  • Each announcement will include the teacher’s student hours/availability. Students are entitled to 3 hours a week of Zoom meetings and/or teacher availability per course. It is recommended to have students make appointments for these meetings.


  • Teachers will embed instructional content that supplements course content found within the course in at least one announcement per week. This might include:

    • Teacher created demonstrations or lessons.

    • Modeling techniques/procedures.

    • Virtual field trips.

    • Scaffolding the content.

    • Teacher created guided notes or handouts which might supplement the lesson.

    • Test reviews.

    • Review of prerequisite skills needed to be successful in content.

    • Videos created by other educators (but be mindful… students want to see their own instructor teaching the lessons).


  • Each announcement will include a teacher signature at the bottom including a name and phone number where you can be reached. If you don’t want to use your own phone number, try creating a Google Voice number or use the Launch phone (417) 523-0417.

Example:

Virtually yours,

Mr. Vergil Iduktor

(417) 523-0417

Email: Canvas Inbox

Zoom Link for Meetings




Feedback/Grading/Grades

  • All grades and due dates follow the SPS academic calendar.

  • All assignments must be graded within 48 hours of submission. (Note: This includes students working ahead.)

  • Teachers must enter zeros after the due date. Note: For Fall 2020, we will begin zeroing out assignments mid-September. An announcement will be posted when teachers can begin adding zeros to the gradebook.

  • You are expected to provide feedback to students on assignments as needed (written or video).

  • Late work must be accepted in all courses.

  • The gradebook in Canvas must be updated and grades posted in eSchool by the date and time required at the end of each term.

  • Enter transfer grades received from the Launch office, according to the outlined procedure, within 24 hours.

  • In courses with more than one section and content teacher, all calendars must align. (Ex: All Algebra I sections must follow the same calendar.)

  • Follow all IEP and 504 modifications.


Other Requirements

  • Teacher profile picture included on course page.

  • You will use KHS course curriculum (BOE Approved). Pacing of the course will mirror the in-person class in regards to coverage of logical units of study and administration of assessments.

  • Traditional Virtual Proctored Final - Your contract includes your virtual attendance at all traditional virtual proctored finals. This will be done virtually through Student Zoom. Multiple final options must be given to accommodate students. (Note: Your class may not have a required protected final. Please see your final assessment for clarification.)

  • Teacher Training - Your contract includes attending the required teacher training each term provided by the Launch office.

  • Teachers who need a sick day may post in his or her Canvas course that they are out that day. Please notify your principal if you need to be out for more than one day and cannot contact students. Multiple days of absences could result in termination of contract.

  • High-Speed Internet access that allows for streaming video and conferencing is required.


Every other week contact any student who has 60% or lower; call or email parent and student/counselor