So now you are done your BEd and will be heading out into the schools. Chances are you may be a teacher-teaching-on-call (TTOC) before you get a contract. What do you need to know? What should you bring with you? Who should you talk to? etc… Suggestions anyone?
As an important starting point here, all TC’s should take a look at the attached document regarding TTOC’s in the Richmond School District, sent by Mr. David Cairns, District Administrator with the RSB:
Having been a TOC for many years, I thought I could contribute a little to this week. Walking into someone else’s classroom can definitely be alarming especially when being new at the job. Most teachers are pretty good at leaving lesson plans for TOCs, but your day goes by easier if you arrive a little early to prepare and read it over (it also gives you some time to contact the teacher if per chance they haven’t left anything, the head secretaries have this information if needed).
But I think the most important advice I can give to a new TOC is to make sure that as much as possible talk to the rest of the department and staff when you’re in the school and when you have time. It helps in the long run to get to know the department (especially if you have questions and to possibly get further work as a TOC).
I agree. Making connections is important so that you can be called back by a variety of people.
Respecting someone else’s classroom is also important. Leave things as you find them. I have come back after a few days away to find things not as I left them, and this is quite frustrating.
It most cases teacher’s will leave a detailed lesson plan, but not always. If you enter a classroom where there is no lesson plan (this has happened to me) make sure you have some activities on hand that you can fall back on.
Arriving early is also important just in case you have to do some clarification or some preparation.