Substitute Teacher Handbook

CENTRAL SUSQUEHANNA INTERMEDIATE UNIT #16
(570) 523-1155 / www.csiu.org

Senior Leadership

John Kurelja, Ed.D., Executive Director
Alan Hack, Ed.D., Assistant Executive Director/Chief Academic Officer
 

CSIU Directors

Terri A. Locke, Director of Special Education & Alternative Placements, (570) 809-4851
Kaitlyn Hall, Director of Early Childhood Education, (570) 912-2037

The CSIU has many different programs and services. We provide substitutes to 55 different classrooms within the region. Our programs include an array of early childhood and school age programs. Our early childhood programs include Head Start, Pre-K Counts, and Early Intervention Preschool. Our school age programs include special education programs in center-based and district locations. Autistic Support, Five Star Emotional Support, Hearing Impaired Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, Work Foundations, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Alternative Placement Education, and North Central Secure Treatment Unit.

• Head Start is a free, comprehensive child development program for families with children ages three to five (who are not enrolled in kindergarten) and who live in Northumberland County. Children attend the center for five days a week, for five hours a day during the school year.
• Pre-K Counts is a high-quality preschool program that provides a solid foundation for children to learn. Pre-K Counts is a free program available for children who are between ages three and five (who are not yet enrolled in kindergarten). Classes are held in a school setting five days a week for 5 ½ hours/ day, beginning in August and ending in June.
• The CSIU Early Intervention Preschool program offers services based on the child’s educational needs, as well as the IEP team’s recommendation. These services may be provided in the home, at a daycare or preschool facility, Head Start class, or another special placement. To be eligible, children must live in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder or Union Counties. Children also must be between three years of age and school-age eligible (age of beginner).
• Autism supports are programs specifically designed to meet the unique learning needs of students with autism.
• Five Star Emotional Support Programs are a full-time program for students with behavioral and socialemotional needs, which includes partial hospitalization and emotional support services.
• Hearing Impaired Support Programs are classes and itinerant support for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. If you choose to substitute in this program, you are not required to know sign language.
• Multi-Disabilities Support Programs are classes and itinerant support for students having multiple disabilities
• The CSIU Work Foundations Program is designed to support high school students with diverse learning needs by providing instruction in essential life skills and pre-employment training. This comprehensive program focuses on developing independence, social competence, and workplace readiness to help students transition successfully from school to adult life. The Work Foundations program emphasizes functional academics, daily living skills, and hands-on learning opportunities, ensuring that students gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to lead meaningful, self-directed lives and pursue employment or post-secondary training upon graduation.
• The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) Alternative Education Programs provide structured, supportive classroom environments for students placed in nontraditional educational settings. These programs serve students from partnering school districts and are designed to meet their academic, behavioral, and emotional needs. CSIU operates classrooms at four locations: Ashler Manor, a residential, outcome-based group home setting; DTAC – Partial Hospitalization, a K–12 program serving students from local school districts who require intensive mental health and academic support; and two residential treatment facilities, DTAC – Lewisburg and DTAC – Danville, which offer integrated academic and therapeutic programming in collaboration with mental health providers.
• North Central Secure Treatment Unit located on the grounds of the Danville State Hospital. If you choose to become a substitute in this program, you will be required to complete a two-week Juvenile Justice Academy. The Academy provides all necessary training to work within a corrections environment. Individuals in the Academy must successfully pass all physical intervention skill out sections within Safe Crisis Management training to include standing, seated / kneeling, and floor techniques. Individuals should be in good health and physical standing. Anyone who is interested in potentially substituting at NCSTU is highly encouraged to reach out to Mr. Jeffrey Myers, Principal, to discuss the training program and process.

Responsibilities of the Substitute
 

Teacher Overall Expectations

CSIU substitute teachers are true professionals and represent CSIU. Substitutes are critical in maintaining a consistent and quality education for the students that we serve. A substitute teacher should become informed with the different programs that we have throughout CSIU to allow them to fully understand our mission and to be able to serve in multiple capacities. The regular classroom teacher or aide is expected to do many things beyond routine teaching. As a substitute, you will be expected to take over the duties of the regular teacher or aide that you are filling in for. In addition, it is expected that the substitute arrive on time to their assigned classroom, dresses appropriately and professionally, and keeps their passwords and login information up to date. To ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all students in our schools within our care, you are required to stay for the entire shift listed in Frontline unless otherwise specified or discussed. Substitutes will be interacting with students and being involved within the classrooms. It is a priority that students be always monitored and should not be left unsupervised. Substitute Teachers must follow directions given by staff members which include referencing and carrying out the following plans (behavior plans, IEP’s, 504’s, etc). Any interactions with students, staff, or parents will always be professional, convey dignity, and respect. Substitutes should seek assistance and guidance from the appropriate supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.

General Information

1. Substitute ID badges must be worn at all times.

2. Teacher’s lesson plans and procedures should be located in the teacher’s planning center or on his/her classroom desk.

3. Please return all materials for the day to the location from where you picked them up.

Use of Personal Devices

The use of personal devices (laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc.) is not permitted during classroom instruction time. Use of personal devices must be limited to lunch or break times for example: personal devices such as cell phones, tablets, or laptops are not to be used unless on break. An exception is allowed for the use of a cell phone during emergencies (and approved by administration).

Attire

Professional attire and footwear is expected during your substitute assignment.

Confidentiality

Please remember to keep all school experiences confidential. This is especially important if you are called to teach in a school within your own attendance area. Interactions with students, staff and parents should always remain professional. All students, staff, and parents should be treated with respect and dignity.

Check In and Check

Out Upon arriving at the assigned building, substitutes should take the following important steps.

1. Report to the school office upon entering the building.
2. Sign in as a CSIU Substitute within the office.
3. Wear your ID Badge to identify yourself.
4. Become oriented to the building and identify the locations of major areas.
5. Seek instructions for checking out at the end of the day.
6. Check the teacher’s mailbox before school, lunch, etc. for any messages or appointments.

Suggestions For Your School Day

1. Upon arriving at your assigned classroom, find the substitute plans for the day.
2. Introduce yourself and become familiar with all classroom support staff.
3. With the team and identified plans, follow the identified procedures and established classroom routines, including the schedule.
4. Take attendance carefully. Our teachers take attendance electronically, but you will be asked to take attendance on paper/pencil.
5. After dismissal of your students for the day, each substitute is expected to fulfill the following list of requirements:

a. All substitutes are to remain in the school until the dismissal time.

b. An outline of the day’s activities accomplished by the substitute should be prepared and left for the teacher.

c. Any student work should be organized and left with for the teacher.

Emergency Information

Please locate the maps and emergency charts and procedures in your classroom. In case of an emergency, please know how to evacuate students. Once students are outside, please take attendance and report any missing students to a principal/supervisor.

Substitute Report and Dismissal Times

When you arrive at your assigned building, you should take the following important steps:

1. Report to the school’s office when you enter the building and sign in.
2. Let office staff know what classroom you will be a substitute for and get information/directions to that classroom.
3. Wear your ID Badge to identify yourself.
4. Get instructions for how to check out at the end of the day and sign out.

Available Openings

Substitutes are required to use Frontline to accept jobs, and these jobs will be posted as they become available. The only exception is in the event that a CSIU staff member specifically reaches out to you about an opening needing to be filled. If you cancel a job, please do so within 24 hours of the job. Any cancellations within 24 hours of the report time must be also texted to the Substitute Coordinator’s cell phone at
(570) 412-9782.

Timesheets

Timesheets are required to use FIS to submit timesheets every other week in accordance with the timesheet schedule. Timesheets MUST be submitted electronically for approval by the due date see Appendix A.

Winter Weather Information

Keep an eye on delays or closings. Each CSIU program follows closings, early dismissals, and/or delays according to the district where the program is located. Weather closures and delays can be found on:

• WNEP • WKOK • WBRE • WYOU

Closures can also be found on individual district websites. Notify our substitute line at (570) 412-9782 before 6:30 a.m. if you plan to be out or are unable to make it to work. Contact the supervisor or teacher you are subbing for/with (especially if you are a long-term sub). This creates clear communication. We prioritize safety first; please do not come to work if you are not comfortable or feel unsafe. If school is on a 2-hour delay it is still considered a full day for Guest Teachers and will be hourly for aides. If school is dismissed early, it will be considered a full day. If a school district is closed the jobs assigned will be deleted in Frontline.

Questions or Concerns While Substituting

If you have any questions or concerns during your assignment, the classroom staff are often your best initial resource for guidance regarding classroom procedures and expectations. If your question remains unanswered or requires input from a supervisor or substitute program personnel, please refer to the orange sign posted in each classroom. This sign outlines the appropriate chain of communication, which includes:

• Substitute Coordinator
• Program Supervisor
• Director of the Program

For urgent matters related to workplace injury or immediate HR assistance, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at:
(570) 523-1155, Ext. 2332.