Common use of Peer Support Clause in Contracts

Peer Support. 17.1 The Association and the District are continuously striving to provide the highest possible quality of education. In order for students to succeed in learning, teachers and others must succeed in teaching. Therefore, the parties agree to cooperate in the design and implementation of programs to improve the quality of instruction through expanded and improved professional development and peer assistance. Teachers who are interns; serving their first year in the District; and/or have received an overall unsatisfactory evaluation are viewed as valuable professionals. The District and the Association support the availability of resources to support teachers’ success in the profession. Therefore, the Association and the Board agree to the following: 17.2 Each teacher who is hired as an intern, is serving his/her first year in the District; has received an unsatisfactory overall rating on his/her summary evaluation; or any teacher needing support due to a significant grade level change, may be provided a Supporting Teacher (ST). Those teachers who receive unsatisfactory ratings on any portion of their evaluation or who request the services of an ST will be assigned an ST at the District’s discretion. 17.3 The duties of the ST position shall be as follows: (a) An ST will provide service for 10 consecutive months on an as needed basis. (b) The ST shall be limited to working with one (1) teacher needing support per school year. (c) An ST shall provide assistance to teachers in the following areas: A) Engaging and Supporting all Students in Learning; B) Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for all Students; C) Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning; and school site and District policies and procedures. For teachers who have an ST because they received an unsatisfactory evaluation, the ST shall provide assistance in the areas designated as unsatisfactory on the teacher’s evaluation. 17.4 Listed below are the minimum qualifications to serve as an ST: (a) A full-time clear credentialed teacher with at least five years of teaching experience within the last eight (8) years. Three of the five full-time years must be in-District experience. (b) Demonstrated exemplary teaching ability, as indicated by, among other things, effective communication skills, subject matter knowledge, knowledge and commitment to District curricular goals and standards, and mastery of a range of teaching strategies necessary to meet students’ needs in different contexts. (c) Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other teachers and administrators, demonstrated effective leadership skills and experience in working on school/District committees. 17.5 The District will post the ST position(s) when there are teachers needing support (see Article (a) Each applicant will be required to submit a letter of interest to the District. (b) All letters of interest will be treated with confidentiality and will not be disclosed except as required by law. (c) The Superintendent/Principal and an Association representative shall work collaboratively to choose the individuals who will serve as Supporting Teachers. 17.6 Functions performed by unit members as STs under this Agreement shall not constitute either management or supervisory functions. 17.7 Unit members who perform functions as STs shall have the same protection from liability and access to appropriate defense as other public school employees. 17.8 Stipends: STs for Interns as stated in Article 8.5.3(c) - $2,125/year STs for Peer Support as stated in Article 8.5.3(g) - $1,000/year

Peer Support. 17.1 The Association and the District are continuously striving to provide the highest possible quality of education. In order for students to succeed in learning, teachers and others must succeed in teaching. Therefore, the parties agree to cooperate in the design and implementation of programs to improve the quality of instruction through expanded and improved professional development and peer assistance. Teachers who are interns; serving their first year in the District; and/or have received an overall unsatisfactory evaluation are viewed as valuable professionals. The District and the Association support the availability of resources to support teachers’ success in the profession. Therefore, the Association and the Board agree to the following: 17.2 17.1.1 Each teacher who is hired as an intern, is serving his/her first year in the District; has received an unsatisfactory overall rating on his/her summary evaluation; or any teacher needing support due to a significant grade level change, may be provided a Supporting Teacher (ST). Those teachers who receive unsatisfactory ratings on any portion of their evaluation or who request the services of an ST will be assigned an ST at the District’s discretion. 17.3 17.2 The duties of the ST position shall be as follows: (a) An ST will provide service for 10 consecutive months on an as needed basis. (b) The ST shall be limited to working with one (1) teacher needing support per school year. (c) An ST shall provide assistance to teachers in the following areas: A) Engaging and Supporting all Students in Learning; B) Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for all Students; C) Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning; and school site and District policies and procedures. For teachers who have an ST because they received an unsatisfactory evaluation, the ST shall provide assistance in the areas designated as unsatisfactory on the teacher’s evaluation. 17.4 17.3 Listed below are the minimum qualifications to serve as an ST: (a) A full-time clear credentialed teacher with at least five years of teaching experience within the last eight (8) years. Three of the five full-time years must be in-District experience. (b) Demonstrated exemplary teaching ability, as indicated by, among other things, effective communication skills, subject matter knowledge, knowledge and commitment to District curricular goals and standards, and mastery of a range of teaching strategies necessary to meet students’ needs in different contexts. (c) Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other teachers and administrators, demonstrated effective leadership skills and experience in working on school/District committees. 17.5 17.1.4 The District will post the ST position(s) when there are teachers needing support (see Article (a) Each applicant will be required to submit a letter of interest to the District. (b) All letters of interest will be treated with confidentiality and will not be disclosed except as required by law. (c) The Superintendent/Principal and an Association representative shall work collaboratively to choose the individuals who will serve as Supporting Teachers. 17.6 17.1.5 Functions performed by unit members as STs under this Agreement shall not constitute either management or supervisory functions. 17.7 17.1.6 Unit members who perform functions as STs shall have the same protection from liability and access to appropriate defense as other public school employees. 17.8 17.1.7 Stipends: STs for Interns as stated in Article 8.5.3(c) 8.5.3 - $2,125/year STs for Peer Support as stated in Article 8.5.3(g) 8.5.3 - $1,000/year