Substitute Teacher Information
The Plattsmouth Community School District appreciates its substitutes. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Don't forget to review the Substitute Manual for relevant information. We hope this page provides you with the information you need to be successful in your job.
Substitute Meeting
Each year, Plattsmouth substitutes are invited to a training session. At this meeting, information is shared about staffing changes, new curriculum, and other relevant topics. It is also a time for substitutes to ask questions and share any concerns they have. Here is a copy of the most recent training presentation.
Substitute Manual
The Substitute Manual (sometimes called the handbook) includes detailed information about multiple topics. It is updated annually based on changes or questions brought up at the annual substitute meeting.
State Substitute Licensing
Responsibilities of the Substitute Teacher
To enable each child to pursue their education as smoothly and completely as possible in the absence of the regular teacher, the substitute's responsibilities are to:
Arrive at least 20 minutes before school begins. School starting and ending times vary by building; a list of these times is included in this handbook.
Report to the office upon entering each building.
Pick up the Substitute and Teacher Evaluation Checklist from the office.
Consult the secretary, team leader, or department chair for supplies not available in the room.
Become familiar with the media materials and computer.
Record and report absences and tardies.
Follow lesson plans as much as possible.
Establish high expectations for student learning and behavior.
Treat all students with respect.
Be in the halls at passing time.
Notify the office immediately if discipline assistance is needed.
At the End of Each Day
Leave the classroom and the teacher's desk in order.
Return equipment to the proper location.
Turn off lights, close windows, and doors.
Leave keys and any additional materials in the office.
Complete the Substitute and Teacher Evaluation Checklist and turn it in to the building secretary.
Leave comments and a record of the day's progress, assignments completed, student discipline issues, and notes and calls from parents on the teacher's desk.
Serve the supervision duties of the regular teacher.
Make sure the Substitute Teacher Form has been signed.
As a Professional
Consider all records confidential.
Be professional in action and dress.
The Substitute Teacher Will Benefit By
Avoiding discussions and comparison of situations in one school while serving in another.
Avoiding comment on the progress of pupils or the work of the teacher.
Making all observations, suggestions, or criticisms to the principal of the school involved, and not to anyone else.
Using discretion in expressing personal reactions and opinions about what is seen and heard in the classroom.
Classroom Teacher Responsibilities
The substitute and the regular teacher are both responsible for student learning. Thus, they have a real responsibility for working together to provide an effective learning environment and appropriate learning opportunities. The regular teacher is responsible, to an important degree, for the attitude their students display toward the substitute teacher — an attitude of helpfulness, courtesy, and respect, the same as would be accorded any educator in the school.
The regular teacher is required to maintain all of the information a substitute would need to take over their work, including complete lesson plans with an up-to-date outline of lessons to be covered and work to be assigned, as well as:
Class lists
Daily schedule
Individual student schedules (e.g., library, speech, resource room)
Fire/tornado drill procedures and routes
Up-to-date seating charts with comments regarding student leaders and students with special situations (including learning needs, medical conditions, and behavioral challenges)
Any additional responsibilities of the individual teacher
Contingency lesson plans
Student behavior expectations
Upon their return, teachers are to complete the Feedback form in the Frontline/AESOP system. Other teachers, students, and/or the principal may also provide input to the Director of Instructional Services on substitute performance.
Long-Term Substitutes
A long-term substitute is very important to the district and is entitled to support from the teacher, principal, and Director of Instructional Services. This support includes the possibility of getting access to the teacher's materials before the assignment begins and having time to observe in the classroom beforehand.
The substitute and teacher will meet prior to the planned leave to address important items, using the suggested discussion guide found at the end of the handbook. The principal should be present at this meeting, which should be set up as soon as a long-term substitute is identified. In the case of an emergency, the principal and Director of Instructional Services will run the meeting and address the questions on the discussion guide.
Pay
PCS currently pays $175 daily for each of the first 15 days of substitute teaching. Day 16 and beyond in the same school year are paid at $190 daily. These do not need to be consecutive days.
Days
PCSD limits the number of days a substitute may work in the district to 120 days per year, based on ACA requirements.
The state does not limit the number of days a substitute can teach if the person holds a State Substitute Permit.
The state limits people with a Local Substitute Teaching Certificate to 90 days of substituting.
Substitutes may be given paid time to observe in the classroom prior to placement. If substitutes are required to attend after-school events (such as parent-teacher conferences or music programs) or Continuous Improvement Days, they will be paid for their time. The substitute must ensure they are asked to attend, rather than assuming attendance is required.
A survey will be sent at the end of the subbing experience to assess the effectiveness of the PCSD support system.
Long-Term Substitute Checklist