THE ROLE OF THE
CONTACT TEACHER
Effective communication with members is of paramount importance, if
the Association is to deliver quality services to them. The
Association has achieved a measure of success in reaching its
membership through the efforts of leaders in Schools, District and
Parish Associations. The institution of the Contact Teacher
System (school representatives) was another of the efforts to
reach and be involved with its members at the school level. The
system has resulted in significant improvements in our
communication network. The J.T.A./J.T.A. Co-operative Credit
Union Limited needs to draw on the skills and expertise of all its
members if it is to be the Organization it aught to be.
1.
Who should be selected a Contact Teacher?
i.
A member in good standing
ii.
A member who is loyal to the Association and his/her
colleagues
iii.
A member who is well informed about the Association –
structure and who to contact about what
iv.
v.
vi.
A member who has some knowledge about the
operation of the Jamaican Education System
A member who believes in advocacy
A member who has the respect of his/her
colleagues.
2.
How the Contact Teacher should be selected?
At the beginning of the school year the members of
the Jamaica Teachers’ Association should meet and
select one from among the group to be the Contact
Teacher.
3.
What is the Contact Teacher expected to do?
i. Distribute the Association’s literatures and other
materials and encourage the perusal thereof.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
Recruit new members and provide the JTA
Secretariat/the Credit Union Management with upto-date staff list.
Be liaison person between the school, the relevant
District and Parish Associations and the parent
Organization.
Organize meetings from time to time with other
members at the school to deal with relevant
matters.
Attend the annual Contact Teacher Workshops
organized by the JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit
Union Limited.
Keep the Association informed about opinions,
suggestions and needs of members.
Alert the Association of potential problems at the
school.
viii. Provide colleagues with information about the
Association’s activities, achievements, projects
and services.
ix. Assist in settling disputes between members.
x. Keep colleagues informed about the conditions
governing teachers’ employment, structure of
salary scales and other entitlements.
4.
How should the Contact Teacher relate to the
School Administration?
The Contact Teacher recognizes the authority of
the Principal as the head of the Institution.
i.
Informs the Principal of all correspondence received
from the JTA/JTA Co-operative Union Limited.
ii.
Seeks the permission of the Principal if for a good
reason, a meeting of the JTA/JTA Co-operative Limited
members on staff is required.
iii.
Informs the Principal of requests from the JTA/JTA Cooperative Credit Union Limited for data on the school.
iv.
Informs the Principal of invitations sent to the JTA for
an Officer to visit the school.
Should not undermine the authority of the Principal.
5.
i.
ii.
iii.
How should the Principal relate to the Contact
Teacher?
The Principal accepts the Contact Teacher as the
legitimate representative of the JTA/JTA Co-operative
Credit Union Limited members on the staff.
The Principal facilitates the Contact Teacher in
carrying out the legitimate activities of a Contact
Teacher.
The Principal should be willing to seek the advice of
the Contact Teacher on relevant matters.

SUGGESTED COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES
 FOR CONTACT TEACHERS
1. JTA Central Offices
(a) Read thoroughly all materials sent to you by the
office. If you have any questions, call the JTA
Secretariat or a Parish Association Officer or JTA
Co-operative Credit Union Limited Regional Officer/
Management.
(b) Respond promptly and fully to any requests from the
JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited office for
information.
Consider requests from the JTA office for action.
(c) Initiate communication with the JTA/JTA Cooperative Credit Union Limited office. Remember
communication is a two-way process. If you have
a matter which may be of interest to the JTA/JTA
Co-operative Credit Union Limited report it.
2.
Parish and District Associations
(a)
Establish links with the President of the Parish
and District Associations.
Report any school matter which may be of
interest to the Parish and or District
Associations.
Support the activities of the Parish and District
Associations. Attend its meetings where
possible.
Consider any request from the Parish
Association for assistance, information or action.
(b)
(c)
(d)