Substitute Teacher
HANDBOOK
Madison School District 321
60 West Main, Rexburg ID 83440
208-359-3300
Substitute Teacher
Handbook
WELCOME & MISSION
On behalf of Madison School District 321, we would like
to welcome and thank you for your willingness to share in
the responsibility of educating our students.
As a substitite teacher, you fill a very important role in
our district and your presence can provide a very positive
impact on what students learn. We want each day that you
work in the district to be successful and meaningful.
This handbook has been prepared to inform you of the
duties of a substitute and support you in fulfilling those
responsibilities. Should you have questions or concerns
please contact your afterschool coordinator or the
personnel director at 359-3300.
It is the mission of Madison School District 321 to
educate students to their fullest potential by providing a
safe, respectful, caring, learning environment by working
collaboratively with parents and community and helping
all students know they are valued and deserve opportunities
to learn.
ONLINE INSTRUCTIONS
to select jobs for Substitute Teachers
The new substitute program used by Madison School
District is made up of three programs. These programs
allow substitutes to select jobs to work, add or remove their
selves from the Madison substitute call listing, and to see a
calendar that shows all jobs that an individual substitute is
currently working based on a username and password (if
you do not know your password contact Nan at the District
Office 359-3300). To access the menu for these programs
go to the following URL: http://msd321.com and click
on the Employees link located on the left side of the screen
and then click on the Substitute Menu link. This will take
you to the Substitute Menu homepage. From there, click
on View Open Substitute Positions. The three options
listed there are discussed below:
1.SELECT OPEN JOBS
This selection takes you to a report that shows all of the
current jobs that need a substitute. To look at the available
jobs click on the Job ID for the job that you would like to
look at. The job will then be displayed on the screen. The
school field and the hours and minutes field are displayed
as drop down lists to make the screen more readable (i.e.
Madison Middle School instead of 601). ** Note These
fields will not change values even if you change the value on
the screen. To accept the job select your name in the drop
down listing for Sub Name and provide your password and
click on the Accept Job button. You will see a screen saying
the Update has been posted to the database. At this time
you will be able to see that you are signed up for the job by
checking your calendar (see below). If at any time you find
out that you will not be able to work the job you will need
to contact the school secretary where you are scheduled to
work and inform her that you will not be able to work the
job. ** Note Failure to notify the school could result in you
being removed for the Substitute program.
2.UPDATE CALL LIST
This selection takes you to the Substitute Login Screen. To
use the Update Call List program select your name from
the UserName drop down list and type your password in
the password field and then click on the Submit button.
This will take you to Update Substitute Call Listing screen.
This screen will update your status for the Substitute Call
listing program. Selecting N on this screen will remove
your name from the call list. You will still be able to select
jobs, but your name and phone number will not appear on
a call list that teachers use to contact Substitutes. Selecting
a Y on leaving this selection blank will add your name to
the list so that teachers can call and ask if you are available
for work.
3.VIEW WORK CALENDAR
This selection takes you to the Substitute Login Screen. To
use the Update Call List program select your name from
the UserName drop down list and type your password in
the password field and then click on the Submit button.
This will take you to the Substitute Work Schedule screen.
This screen will display a calendar (out three months) that
will have all of your current jobs that you are scheduled to
work.
If you have any questions or problems with the program
please contact Sharon at the District Office 359-3300 ext.
3424.
GENERAL DISTRICT
INFORMATION
• Madison School District 321 educates approximately
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4,000 students in seven elementary schools (grades
K-4) one middle school (grades 5-6) one junior High
(grades 7-9) one high school (grades 10-12 and one
alternative high school (grades 9-12) and Madison
Academy
A list of schools and administrators is included in
Appendix C of this handbook.
A board of five elected trustees govern the district.
Board meetings are held on the third Thursday
monthly and are open to the public.
The superintendent, district administrators and
building principals direct the day to day management
of the district. At the school level, the substitute
teachers work under the supervision of the building
principal.
MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
This Memorandum of Understanding provides afterschool
teachers with general guidelines for professional conduct.
It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of do’s and
don’ts. Sound judgment is and will always be needed in
professional relationships. The substitute is expected to:
1. Follow the Idaho Teachers Professional Code of Ethics.
2. Never be alone with a student.
3. Comply with the drug free workplace requirement
4. Use appropriate disciplinary techniques.
5. The use of physical force or corporal punishment is
prohibited.
6. Never reference personal religious beliefs or doctrines.
7. Never use inappropriate language such a profanity,
sexual innuendoes/jokes, gossip or teasing.
8. Keep confidential all matters pertaining to school or the
students.
9. Follow the teacher’s lesson plan as closely as possible.
10. Contact a nearby teacher or principal if you have
questions.
11. Grade student assignments per teacher’s direction.
12. Dress modestly and professionally.
13. Use school time for school purposes. Personal tasks on
school time are not appropriate.
14. Use computers for school tasks only. Computers are not
to be used for personal reasons.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TIPS
Greet your students at the door and observe their
behavior. You may be able to anticipate problems and take
appropriate action if necessary. Standing at the door sets a
positive, friendly tone for you and the students. Anything
you can say to give yourself credibility with them is helpful.
Talk about previous teaching experience or special training
which qualifies you for this position. Make sure you have
everyone’s attention before you begin speaking.
Taking roll is important, but it is more important for you
to get class started in a businesslike manner. Give students
clear directions and get them working as soon as possible.
You can take roll after they have begun work. If there is
not one available; take roll orally while the students are
working; then create your own chart. Using a students
name is a valuable technique when speaking to them. Let
the students know you are using the teachers seating chart
to take roll, and they may be counted absent if they are not
their assigned seats.
Expect students to raise their hands before you call on
them. Do not respond to students who talk out of turn or
shout answers. Reinforce those who cooperate by thanking
them for raising their hands before you call on them.
In general, you will get along better with students by being
polite, warm, caring, and calm than be trying to be a “drill
sergeant.” Some students will try to get you flustered,
angry, or defensive. Above all, remain calm and in control
of you emotions. If you must deal with a disrupt student,
remember to treat the student with dignity, even though
their behavior may not be reciprocal. Do not use sarcasm;
do not get into a public debate with the student; discipline
quietly and privately if possible.
Use the concept of proximity with non-compliant or
disruptive students. Move closer to them and speak calmly
and quietly. If necessary, isolate the student and speak
to them privately. Never make threats. Contact nearby
teachers or the building administration if a discipline
situation devolves out of your control.
If you find yourself in a situation where it appears two
students are about to fight, or are engaged in a fight, move
to the student (not between them), remain calm and give
firm, positive commands to move away from one another
and to stop fighting. If necessary, send a student for
another teacher, resource officer or an administrator to get
assistance.
Most teachers have “hall passes” for students to use to
go to the restroom or office. Use them sparingly. This
requires some judgment on you part. Try to determine
when the need is genuine. Generally, when someone in
the office of counselor wants to see a student, the student
will receive a “pass” presigned and dated. Check the date
and time on the pass before you send the student. When
students are working, practice “management by walking
around.” Walking around the classroom observing student
progress, helping when asked, and giving positive feedback
for appropriate behavior. Often when students become
restless, it is an indication that it may be time to move on
the next lesson. Many students, especially younger ones,
have difficulty staying on task with the same activity for a
great length of time. Hopefully, lesson plans will allow for
transitions to a variety of activities. Show your sense of
humor to the children, especially when it relates to what a
student is learning. Students will find you more accessible
if they sense this quality in you.
APPENDIX A: DISTRICT DRUG
POLICY
Madison School District will comply annually to all federal
regulations established by the Drug Free Workplace Act
of 1988. It is the policy of this district that all employees
understand that the unlawful manufacture, distribution,
dispensing, possession or use of controlled substances in the
workplace is absolutely prohibited. Any employee found in
violation of this prohibition could, at the discretion of the
Board of Trustees, be immediately dismissed or placed on
probation and required to complete an established drug
abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.
Compliance with the provisions and prohibitions stated
above is a condition of employment with Madison School
District. Every employee will abide by these provisions and
prohibitions and notify the district of any criminal drug
statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace
not later than five days following such conviction. The
district, in compliance with federal regulations, will
notify federal authorities of such conviction within ten
days of receiving such notification from the employee or
notification of conviction.
APPENDIX B: SCHOOL HOURS
Adams Elementary:
8:20 AM - 2:25 PM
Burton Elementary:
8:10 AM - 2:25 PM
Hibbard Elementary:
8:10 AM - 2:20 PM
Kennedy Elementary:
8:20 AM - 2:25 PM
Lincoln Elementary:
8:20 AM - 2:25 PM
South Fork Elementary:
8:10 AM - 2:25 PM
Middle School:
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Junior High:
8:45 AM - 3:30 PM
High School:
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Central High:
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Madison Academy:
8:45 AM - 2:45 PM
APPENDIX C: SCHOOL
INFORMATION
Madison District Office
60 West Main
(208) 359-3300
Adams Elementary
110 N. 2nd E.
(208) 359-3335
Burton Elementary
2211 W. 1000 S.
(208) 359-3332
Hibbard Elementary
2413 N. 3000 W.
(208) 359-3333
Kennedy Elementary
60 S. 5th W.
(208) 359-3325
Lincoln Elementary
358 E 2nd S.
(208) 359-3330
South Fork Elementary
7163 S. 2000 W.
(208) 359-3334
Special Services
60 W. Main
(208) 359-3315
Madison Middle School
575 W. 7th S.
(208) 359-3320
Madison Jr. High School
134 Madison Ave.
(208) 359-3310
Madison High School
2300 University Blvd.
(208) 359-3305
Central High School
379 S. 2nd E.
(208) 359-2337