March 25th, 2020 Update on District Expectations and Requirements for Teachers
MNEA has received many questions from our members who are seeking clarity about the March 24th communication from Dr. Battle regarding expectations and requirements for MNPS teachers.
After considerable communication with the district, here are answers to many of the questions we have received.
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If MNPS is “closed”, why are teachers being asked to do things?
Even though school buildings are closed, the district is open. While this is a status we haven’t previously encountered, current extraordinary circumstances in which schools will be closed until at least April 24th require different protocols than what we are used to with inclement weather days. Many of Nashville’s families rely heavily on MNPS to provide food and other essential services for their children. While we are NOT moving to online learning, the district is asking that teachers reach out to families to make sure they are getting what they need while our city remains in a state of emergency. We are public employees, and this is how we can provide invaluable support to the public during this difficult time.
What are the parameters of what I am required to do as a teacher right now?
First, YOU CANNOT BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A CERTAIN TASK AT A CERTAIN TIME. State law prohibits teachers from being charged leave while schools are closed. If you are REQUIRED to attend an online faculty meeting or to contact students at a certain time, or put in for leave, please forward any documentation stating that, such as an email, to info@mnea.com. Your administrators should be providing information through email as well as through meetings.
That being said, it may be to your benefit to attend online faculty meetings so you can ask important questions. For example, if you are a middle or high school teacher, it would be unreasonable to ask you to call all 100+ students you teach every week. Meeting online to collaborate with your colleagues will ensure that you can come up with a plan, such as only calling your homeroom class, to ensure the burden is not too much for anyone.
Basic requirements at this time are to:
Establish weekly or biweekly communication with your students and document the contact in S&I - ex. emailed student or spoke with parent.
Check MNPS email daily.
Follow directives of your administrator or supervisor. This may include setting up online meetings or finding enrichment activities for students. For example, you could make recommendations for educational websites that relate to what you teach, or challenge students to practice skills in everyday ways (cooking, journaling, etc).
NO ONLINE LESSONS SHOULD BE TAUGHT AT THIS TIME. THIS IS TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF MEETING IEP AND/OR EL REQUIREMENTS ONLINE FOR WHICH YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED NOR GIVEN THE RESOURCES TO DO.
If you suspect you are being required to do something that is not currently required, please email us at info@mnea.com.
How can I contact students without revealing my personal phone number since I can’t use my school phone?
Generally, you can use *67 to block caller ID. You can also use a free app like Google Voice https://voice.google.com/u/0/about to set up a different number for calling.
You can also use online programs provided by the district such as Schoology, Skype, or MNPS email to communicate with your students using your district-provided laptop.
I don’t have internet at home. How can I get online with my laptop to do required tasks?
A number of internet providers are offering free or greatly discounted internet at this time. For example https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19 .
What should I say to my students when I contact them?
Inquire about their general well-being. If they tell you they need help, notify your principal to let them know.
Make sure students know where to access MNPS meal distribution sites and also how to access learning resources. (You can find the information at https://www.mnps.org/covid19)
Offer enrichment activities such as a relevant educational website, or a way to practice writing or math skills. For example, you could offer journaling prompts or practice math by following a recipe to make a snack.
Important Legal Cautions for Interacting Online with Students
If you use online platforms such as zoom or skype, be aware of what displays in your background. In general, be sure to not display anything that would be considered inappropriate in a school setting. If you are using Zoom, you can choose to display a virtual background in order to avoid students seeing into your home.
Do not post videos of yourself reading entire stories, or copy textbook pages because this will violate copyright law.
DO NOT TEACH LESSONS. DO NOT REQUIRE STUDENTS TO TURN IN ASSIGNMENTS FOR A GRADE. THIS IS TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF MEETING IEP AND EL REQUIREMENTS ONLINE WHICH YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED NOR GIVEN THE RESOURCES TO DO.
Final Thoughts
Remember to take care of yourself and your loved ones first and and foremost. This is the most important thing.
This is a scary time for many, and this is especially true for young people. Remember that for kids, teachers are often one of the most trusted sources of information in their world. Being able to check in with you will help bring stability and calm into their lives. Your contact may also ensure that your students are not going hungry, or that they have any adult at all making sure their basic needs are met.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do for our students now and every day.
-Amanda Kail