Informal Observations A. An informal observation is an observation that is not required to be pre-scheduled. B. An evaluator may conduct any number of informal observations. C. Observations do not have to be in the classroom. For example, department or collegial meetings may be used for informal observations. D. Informal observations may serve as an opportunity for formative feedback. If there are concerns regarding the teacher’s/educator’s level of performance based upon informal observations, the evaluator will document the concern and schedule a time to discuss with the employee.
Formal Observations At least two (2) formal observations per year are required for ancillary staff members in Track I, at least sixty (60) days apart. In the case of a first-year or second-year Track I ancillary staff employee, at least one (1) observation shall be made prior to the ancillary staff employee’s mid- year progress report. Annual evaluations shall include in-room observations of all aspects of the ancillary staff employee’s instructional practice. Observations shall be conducted by the ancillary staff employee’s supervisor. An observation shall be at least one (1) complete lesson, based on the lesson plans provided by the ancillary staff employee. Observations shall be scheduled at least five (5) work days in advance for a three-day window in which the observation would take place. If an observation needs to be rescheduled, the ancillary staff employee shall be notified of the date of the rescheduled observation no later than one (1) day prior to the end of the week in which the observation should have taken place, so as to accommodate lesson planning. A pre-observation conference shall be held to review the ancillary staff employee’s IDP and those areas which might be observed. All monitoring or observation of the work of the teacher shall be conducted openly and with the knowledge of the ancillary staff employee. The parties agree that during an observation every effort will be made to maintain the normal teaching-learning process. An observation shall include assessment of the ancillary staff employee’s skill and ability in the observed domains of the “Framework for Professional Practice”. A post-observation conference shall be held within five (5) work days of the observation unless the ancillary staff employee agrees in writing to extend the time to conduct the conference, not to exceed thirty (30) days. In the event the meeting does not occur as a result of administrator unavailability within thirty-five (35) days of the observation, negative comments or concerns shall be excluded from the observation. The ancillary staff employee teacher shall bring a completed Post-Observation Reflection Form to this conference, and the administrator shall bring the completed Classroom Observation Form. The ancillary staff employee teacher and the administrator shall each retain copies of both forms. As a result of this post-observation conference, identified areas of concern, together with suggested ways in which the ancillary staff employee is to improve, and identification of assistance to be given, may be addressed in the teacher’s IDP.
Informal Observation Additional evaluation of employees may occur through informal observations by the Employer. It may not be necessary to reduce such evaluations to writing, and a verbal discussion between the Employer and the employee concerning the informal observations may suffice. If a written evaluation is deemed necessary, Procedures C and D as outlined above shall be followed.
Processes Any employer, employee, trade union or employer’s association may at any point in time apply for an exemption from any of the provisions of this Collective Agreement. The applicant is required to complete and submit in writing with the relevant office of the Council, a fully and properly completed prescribed application for exemption form, accompanied by all relevant supporting documentation.
TEACHING HOURS AND TEACHING LOAD Section 1 Work Day For the applicable agreement period, the normal work day will be seven and one-quarter (7 ¼) hours including arrival time fifteen (15) minutes before and departure time (15) minutes after the students’ school day. The normal work day will include uninterrupted prep time. The Building Principal, as authorized by the Superintendent, upon request of a teacher or group of teachers, may waive the requirement to remain fifteen (15) minutes after the school day for a specific day or days. It is recognized; however, that the proper performance of their duties may, on occasion, require these persons to work longer than the normal work day, i.e. for conferences, faculty meetings, department meetings, etc. Therefore, “mandatory meetings will occur two times per month and be no longer than 90 minutes in length, inclusive of the additional 15 minutes beyond the scheduled student school day. A schedule of the meetings will be distributed by June 30th of the previous school year, but may be changed at the discretion of the Principal with 48 hours’ notice.” Teachers will also remain at school after the fifteen (15) minutes described above, during one (1) day each calendar week for such periods of time as is necessary to provide students extra help, and/or to meet with parents or guardians, concerning the progress of their children or wards. No teacher shall be required to work more than a normal seven and one- quarter (7 ¼) hour day, including fifteen (15) minutes before and (15) minutes after the students’ school day, which will include uninterrupted prep time; this provision does not apply to other contractually agreed upon time and meetings. Should state law require a longer instructional day, or more days, the teachers shall work the added time and the parties shall immediately commence impact bargaining on the issue. This article does not purport to cover the arrival and departure time of teachers involved in special assignments. Section 2 Other Personnel Personnel other than classroom teachers will work at their assigned tasks for the length of the regular teachers' work day. The exact daily schedule will be worked out on an individual basis between the Administration and the employee with notification to the Association. Instructional Coaches are required to work an additional five (5) days at their per diem rate, beyond the work year for a total of 189 days. These days will be determined prior to the start of the new school year and at the discretion of the Superintendent and the Chief Academic Officer.