PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT The parties’ support the principle of continuing training of teachers, participation by teachers in professional organizations in the areas of their specialization, leaves for work on advanced degrees or special studies, foreign travel and participation in community educational projects.
Professional Improvement Leave A teacher may be granted leave to be used for the teacher's professional improvement. Professional improvement days may be approved by the superintendent and used for the purpose of: 1. Visitation to view other instructional techniques or programs. 2. Conferences, workshops, or seminars conducted by colleges, universities, or vocational schools. The teacher planning to use a professional improvement day shall notify the principal at least one week in advance of the proposed absence. The teacher shall be required to file a written report with the principal within one (1) week of attendance at such event. Also, the teacher may/shall be requested to return with materials and/or information to be shared with other teachers. The expense of attending such visitation, conference, workshop, or seminar will be paid by the Board when the proper reimbursement applications are sent to the district office. In cases where attendance at a convention, workshop, seminar, or other educational activity is deemed to be of value only to the individual teacher, leave may be granted for attendance with either no expenses or limited expenses being underwritten by the district. In these cases, no written or verbal reports will be required.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR A. Teachers are expected to comply with rules, regulations, and direction adopted by the Board or its representatives, which are not inconsistent with the express provisions of this Agreement, except that a teacher may refuse to carry out an order which reasonably threatens the teacher's physical safety. B. Teachers are expected to use appropriate channels of communication for comments, suggestions, grievances and other professional matters. Such channels include normal administrative channels, the grievance procedure, SAC, teacher organization representatives, and negotiations. No reprisals may be taken against teachers due to the exercise of their responsibilities in positions in the Vocational Teachers Federation, Vocational teachers Council and School Accountability Council. C. The District affirms the principles that teachers have the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship and that a teacher's private life and activities are not an appropriate concern of the District, except to the extent that they detract from the effective accomplishment of the teacher's professional duties or are grounds for dismissal under Colorado statutes. D. Teachers have the right, except as otherwise provided by law, to engage in political activity, to campaign on behalf of candidates for public office, and to themselves see, campaign for, and hold public office. However, these activities must be conducted outside teacher assigned hours and must not interfere with the effective accomplishment of the teacher's professional duties. E. The District and the Federation affirm the importance of good staff morale to the instructional and operational programs of a school. Teachers and administrators are expected to exhibit positive attitudes and professional behavior that will maintain and enhance good staff morale. F. The hoard, teachers, and administrators encourage one another to exemplify the highest standards of personal and professional excellence and to become outstanding role models for all students. G. Every teacher and administrator is expected to exhibit sensitivity to ethnic-minority persons and to promote the success of students from multicultural/ multi-ethnic backgrounds. H. Any alleged abuses of Executive Director authority shall be reported to the Federation or Instructional Superintendent or designee. The Federation and Instructional Superintendent or designee will review and address these allegations.
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 Day The period set forth in the Professional Day Article.