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What is considered an emergency coverage?
The unavailability of a teacher to cover a class (i.e., a substitute teacher) constitutes an emergency.
Can my principal assign me to a common planning meeting on my preparation period?
No. A principal cannot mandate meetings or administrative duties during your prep period. If you’re directed to do things like these on your prep, you should follow the directive to avoid being insubordinate. Then, you should speak to the Chapter...
How do I become a paraprofessional?
To become a full-time paraprofessional for the New York City Department of Education (DOE), you must first become a substitute paraprofessional, and serve at least 25 days in that role. You must also have the New York State Teaching Assistant...
I am a paraprofessional and I have been excessed. What does that mean?
Paraprofessionals shall be retained in their school or work site in accordance with their seniority. If excessing occurs because of lack of work, the least senior employee will be excessed from the school or site. Unless a principal denies the...
Do Paraprofessionals do Lunch Duty?
In accordance with recent amendments to NYSED regulations, IEP teams must make certain considerations before determining that a student requires an IEP-assigned paraprofessional, and the student’s IEP must reflect those considerations in the relevant...
What is my per session rate as a paraprofessional?
Educational paraprofessionals who work in activities other than their regular assignments are paid a per session rate for the hours worked. Per session is a positive payment that is issued along with regular payments. Because per session is a...
I am a paraprofessional and I was arrested, what happens next?
Paraprofessionals who have been arrested will no longer be automatically suspended without pay, under the DOE’s updated policy, to resolve the UFT’s union-initiated grievance that challenged the unfairness of automatic suspensions. Paraprofessionals...
Who will be conducting observations of my teaching performance? How many people can be present?
Only administrators may conduct observations for evaluative purposes. No more than one evaluator and two school-based observers should be present during your observations. The superintendent and deputy superintendent are considered school-based for...
What is the difference between a formal and an informal observation?
Formal observations are those that last a full period, are scheduled by mutual agreement between you and your evaluator, and involve individual pre- and post-observation conferences with your evaluator. Informal observations last a minimum of 15...
Do I need to have a printed lesson plan ready if my principal shows up to observe my teaching?
An evaluator cannot demand that a teacher provide a hard copy of the day’s lesson plan on the spot. When observing a lesson, a supervisor has the right to see the plan of the lesson being taught. The supervisor may take a photo of the plan or ask...