Educator’s Survival Guide

• Recognize your responsibilities to:

⇒ Abide by items in policies and regulations

⇒ Provide for the care, safety and well-being of each student

⇒ Protect each child from potential self-injury

⇒ Protect each student from physical abuse

⇒ Provide an opportunity and an atmosphere for students assigned to you to learn

• Recognize that you are expected to foresee the consequences of your own actions or inactions.

• Provide proper and reasonable supervision. The younger the children, the greater the supervision. The riskier the activity, the greater the supervision. Do not leave students unsupervised.

• Be thoroughly familiar with the discipline and corporal punishment policies of the school district. When you exert discipline, consider these guidelines:

⇒ Be certain the child has the opportunity to give his/her side of the story.

⇒ Be certain the child understands the reason for the punishment.

⇒ Weigh all the facts before deciding.

⇒ If possible, inform the parents before taking action in severe cases.

⇒ Consider the child's physical and mental condition; be aware of special mental or physical problems.

⇒ Make the punishment appropriate to the crime. (Is what I'm doing what a "reasonable person" would do under the circumstances?)

• Establish written rules for student behavior. Discuss them with your principal and then with your students. Enforce rules fairly and consistently.

• Report all hazardous conditions to the administration in writing and, if necessary, keep reminding them of the need to correct the problem.

• Detail in writing all relevant facts regarding any incident whatsoever which might give rise to potential legal action against you. Keep a copy for yourself and give a copy to your UniServ Director.

• Make sure you contact your UniServ Director so you can complete an EEL report form.

• Do not accept greater responsibility than you can reasonably perform. Don't try to be in ten places at once.

• Do not write or say anything about a student that you are not prepared to document. Do not write or say anything that is overly broad, sweeping, subjective, and negative in nature such as, "Ellen is an irresponsible idiot."

Dos and Don'ts

As a member of the Association, you have a right to representation. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

⇒ DO report any accident or situation that may result in criminal, civil, or employment liability on your part to your UniServ Director (262-789-6000). If you cannot contact your UniServ Director, contact the WEAC Legal Division [1-800-362-8034.] This will guarantee that you will receive the necessary coverage by your Educators' Employment Liability Insurance that is provided as a membership benefit. You will avoid creating unnecessary problems for yourself because of a misstatement.

⇒ DO keep a personal file containing copies of your contracts, evaluations, and any correspondence between yourself and any supervisor or administrator. In addition, keep contemporaneous notes of any situation that you believe might become of concern in the future.

⇒ DO NOT submit a written statement or make a statement to the police on a professional problem until a person who is knowledgeable about your rights has reviewed it.

⇒ DO NOT submit a resignation under pressure, regardless of how tempting it might seem at the time.

⇒ DO become familiar with the law as it pertains to you and the students.

⇒ DO NOT try to be your own legal counsel.

⇒ DO think before you act. Consider all the possible consequences of your actions. Consider how your actions might look to someone who has only superficial knowledge of education and the children involved.

⇒ DO make sure the door to the room is open when meeting with students and that all student interactions are in plain view of others to the extent possible.

⇒ DO NOT become a student's counselor unless that is your job.

⇒ DO NOT transport students in your personal car unless there is a clear, written understanding on liability.

⇒ DO NOT single out one particular student for rewards/punishments without consultation with the student's parents or your administrator.

⇒ DO NOT invite students to your home for personal visits.

Elmbrook Education Association