Basic Tips
Document and leave good notes for the teacher. If this was your class, what would you want to know from your supply teacher? Leave factual information only.
Student information you will encounter in your day is considered private and confidential. Do not share it unnecessarily.
Don't be afraid to remove a student from class. Call the office to let them know that the students has been sent down. Follow up with the Vice Principal after class, at lunch, or after school. Remember: You and the Vice Principal make up part of the disciplinary team. It does not in any way impact your career negatively to remove a student from class. Failure to do so could result in an escalation of behaviours or actions and any resulting negative incident can be held against you.
Get to know the Vice Principals. They can provide you with information about students as well as act as a reference for any future job opportunities and LTO Roster interviews.
Do not criticize other teachers. We are all OSSTF members and a complaint could be raised against you. We are all colleagues working together for the benefit of student learning.
Inform the office if you leave school during lunch, prep time, or if the assignment is finished before the end of the school day.
If you are called in by Smartfind in the morning and will be late due to notification time and distance, inform the Vice Principal or someone in the office. Leave a message on the Vice Principal's extension as well. Most Vice Principals are reached at extension 526 at the school phone number.
The OSSTF provides legal assistance to defend members against allegations that are related to the member's teaching duties or employment responsibilities.
If you are called into a meeting with administrators, it may just be an informal conversation for clarification purposes. However, if you are called into a meeting with administrators and someone is taking notes or you feel that it is potentially disciplinary, pause the interview by saying "if this discussion could in any form lead to my being disciplined or have any effect on my personal working conditions, I respectfully request my Union representative to be present at this meeting. Without Union representation I choose not to participate in this discussion at this time." If the meeting is disciplinary, they should suggest that you call the OTBU President. If they don't, ask for a meeting to be set up at another time when the President can attend. If in doubt, contact the OTBU President.
If you are contacted by the police, Ontario College of Teachers, or Children's Aid Society regarding an allegation against you, DO NOT participate in or consent to an interview. Make no statement to anyone regarding the allegations/charges. Say "I am willing to cooperate but I am unable to comment until I contact my Union and legal counsel". Call the OTBU President or the Provincial Office at 1-800-267-7867 and state that your call is Urgent.
Student information you will encounter in your day is considered private and confidential. Do not share it unnecessarily.
Don't be afraid to remove a student from class. Call the office to let them know that the students has been sent down. Follow up with the Vice Principal after class, at lunch, or after school. Remember: You and the Vice Principal make up part of the disciplinary team. It does not in any way impact your career negatively to remove a student from class. Failure to do so could result in an escalation of behaviours or actions and any resulting negative incident can be held against you.
Get to know the Vice Principals. They can provide you with information about students as well as act as a reference for any future job opportunities and LTO Roster interviews.
Do not criticize other teachers. We are all OSSTF members and a complaint could be raised against you. We are all colleagues working together for the benefit of student learning.
Inform the office if you leave school during lunch, prep time, or if the assignment is finished before the end of the school day.
If you are called in by Smartfind in the morning and will be late due to notification time and distance, inform the Vice Principal or someone in the office. Leave a message on the Vice Principal's extension as well. Most Vice Principals are reached at extension 526 at the school phone number.
The OSSTF provides legal assistance to defend members against allegations that are related to the member's teaching duties or employment responsibilities.
If you are called into a meeting with administrators, it may just be an informal conversation for clarification purposes. However, if you are called into a meeting with administrators and someone is taking notes or you feel that it is potentially disciplinary, pause the interview by saying "if this discussion could in any form lead to my being disciplined or have any effect on my personal working conditions, I respectfully request my Union representative to be present at this meeting. Without Union representation I choose not to participate in this discussion at this time." If the meeting is disciplinary, they should suggest that you call the OTBU President. If they don't, ask for a meeting to be set up at another time when the President can attend. If in doubt, contact the OTBU President.
If you are contacted by the police, Ontario College of Teachers, or Children's Aid Society regarding an allegation against you, DO NOT participate in or consent to an interview. Make no statement to anyone regarding the allegations/charges. Say "I am willing to cooperate but I am unable to comment until I contact my Union and legal counsel". Call the OTBU President or the Provincial Office at 1-800-267-7867 and state that your call is Urgent.