PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY Teachers shall, within the bounds of the prescribed curriculum, and consistent with effective educational practice, have individual professional autonomy in determining the methods of instruction, and the planning and presentation of course materials in the classes of pupils to which they are assigned.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR A. The Association recognizes that abuses of sick leave or other leaves, chronic tardiness or absence, willful deficiencies in professional performance, or other violations of discipline by a teacher reflect adversely upon the teaching profession and create undesirable conditions in the school building. The Board, in recognition of the concept of progressive correction, shall notify the teacher of alleged delinquencies, indicate expected correction, and indicate a reasonable period for correction. Alleged breaches of discipline shall be promptly reported to the offending teacher. The Association will use its best efforts to correct breaches of professional behavior by any teacher. B. A teacher shall at all times be entitled to have present a representative of the Association when he is being reprimanded, warned or disciplined for any infractions of discipline or delinquency in professional performance. When a request for such representation is made, no action shall be taken with respect to the teacher until such representative of the Association is present. C. No teacher shall be disciplined, reprimanded, reduced in rank or compensation or deprived of any professional advantage without just cause. Any such discipline, reprimand or reduction in rank, compensation or advantage, including adverse evaluation of teacher performance asserted by the Board or any agent or representative thereof shall be subject to the professional grievance procedure hereinafter set forth. D. A probationary teacher who, through the evaluation process, is not meeting district standards but is being retained shall be subject to a correction committee. The correction committee shall be composed of the affected teacher’s mentor teacher, if applicable, the evaluating administrator, and, if he/she desires, a Meridian EA representative of the affected teacher’s choice. The committee shall determine the criteria the probationary teacher needs to attain in order to meet the district standards and inform him/her of the committee’s expectations. If, after further evaluation, the teacher has not made sufficient progress, the committee will refer the entire matter to the superintendent for consideration and disposition. He/she may choose to continue the correction process, subject to further evaluation, or dismiss the teacher from employment. This supercedes Article XIV, Section C.
Professional Dues The school district will pay the annual dues for the Superintendent’s membership in the following organizations: Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), The School Superintendents Association (AASA), and any other membership dues requested by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.
Professional Services Bodily injury" or "property damage" arising out of the rendering of or failure to render profes- sional services;
Professional Activities a. The presentation of a scholarly paper or other original professional material relevant to the faculty member’s present field of employment at a conference, workshop, seminar or gallery showing, which shows evident research and is not merely extemporaneous in nature, may earn 0.5 to one (1) units depending upon scope. b. Holding a position of leadership on the association’s Executive Board or the Academic Senate or being chair or co-chair of District councils or committees for three (3) or more consecutive years may earn one (1) to three (3) units for each year.