New To Casual Teaching?
Have you just finished your teaching degree and now ready to start looking for work? Or just ready to get back into teaching after a period of time off? There is plenty out there and especially at this time of the year. So it is time to update your CV and start visiting your preferred schools.
As a beginning casual teacher;
Fix up your CV
Ensure you have your teaching number. You will need one with the Department of Education or Catholic Education Department. If you would like to teach in an Independent School you must approach the school first.
Complete any compulsory online training’s - such as anaphylaxis
Ensure you have your ‘Working with Children Check’.
Now you are ready to visit the schools;
Take your CV with you and a copy of your certificates
Most public schools use ‘Class Cover ’app to book you for casual days. Select which days you would like to work. Simply accept or decline any offers.
Taste test schools. Get a feel for the school before committing to one. Suss out the students, the teachers, the leadership, the time if takes to get to and from school. Decide which school best fits you.
Ensure to tell schools if you enjoyed working there, or if not. Let them know of any issues you may have incurred. What stages you prefer to teach.
You do not have to be available every day. Work the days that suit you.
When you score some teaching days;
Arrive at least half an hour before school and stay at least half an hour after
Have some go to activities prepared. You will not always have a day outline left for you
If there has been no work left, make a rough plan. Look for a timetable in the room or ask the teacher next door what the usual routine may be. It is okay to ask for help. Send a child to another room if they are being too much of a nuisance or disruption
Ask the students – they usually know where the materials are, what the usual routine is
Don’t panic if you don’t get through work been set but give it a good shot
Pace yourself – do not rush through activities. You have the whole day to fill
Mark roll first thing in the morning
Ensure you know the correct recess, lunch times and procedures. Ask what is expectation in wet weather, any school rules, lock down and evacuation plans, duty bag and vest
Teach rather than supervise
Leave feedback for the teacher – what was taught, what was not covered, any issues
Have students assist to clean the room at the end of the day, clear tables, pick up any rubbish on the floor, ipads plugged in to charge
Ensure the room is left neat and tidy. Pull blinds down, put chairs up on tables
Be prepared to put in a solid days work. Expect a duty every day. Do not expect any RFF. If the class has RFF, you will usually be put on another class at this time. Correct any work students complete.
You will be called back if they see you making a genuine effort
Take your stamps, stickers or certificates along to reward your best learners
Use lots of positive reinforcement – give well done’s, give high fives in the air, get a standing ovation, or cheering loud standing ovation
If nothing has been left, try;
Silent reading is a great go to
Take a picture book along – so many options to do comprehension activities
Locate spelling words – play games – bingo, buzz off, write them out, act them out, which word am I thinking of, give clues
Practice counting, times tables - play circle champion
Teach a song – have a list of songs you can teach, use GoNoodle or ones from my blog post here
Use any of these activities on my blog post Casual Teaching Lifesavers
You may not always be able to log into the computer so do not rely on the Internet. Include non digital activities in your plans
Do you have any advice for starting casual teaching? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.