Visiting Teachers - Helpful Hints

As you substitute with us this year, we want to answer your questions and 
share some suggestions to make your assignments successful.

 
Frequently Asked Questions

How will I be assigned?

The San Diego School District uses a computerized system that receives requests for substitutes from site secretaries and teachers. This system places calls to available visiting teachers to offer assignments. Our system is called the Substitute Assignment Management System (SAMS). You must have a touch-tone telephone to communicate with SAMS. The system phone number is (619) 297-0304.

Jobs can be accessed on the SmartFindExpress through the internet.  To log in to the SmartFindExpress, use your district provided Employee ID as the User ID and your SAMS PIN.  Employee ID can be found on pay warrant/stub near the top middle of the statement.

When will I be paid?

The wages earned through the 15th of the month are scheduled for payment on the last working day of the pay period.  The remainder of the  wages earned during the calendar month will be scheduled for payment on the 10th of the month following the end of the pay period.  Each calendar month constitutes a pay period.  Paychecks and electronic deposit advices are usually mailed to your home.  If you have questions regarding your pay or you are not paid correctly, please call the Payroll Department at (619) 725-7725.

Can a school / teacher request me?

Yes, a teacher or school may request you as the substitute they want SAMS to call and assign to their absence by entering your Employee I.D. into SAMS/SmartFindExpress.

How do I know I have the job?

A job number will be assigned by the SAMS system. The site secretary, administrator or teacher may pre-assign you or SAMS will call you to offer the job and give you the job number.  When in doubt - Call SAMS or log in to the SmartFindExpress  to confirm your assignment and job number. It is important that you keep a record of the job number and the dates you work. You must have a job number for each assignment worked.

What if two visiting teachers show up for the same assignment?

Mistakes can happen. If two visiting teachers show up for the same assignment, please call the Help Desk at 725-8090 immediately. The visiting teacher assigned and confirmed by SAMS/SmartFindExpress with a job number is the one who has the job. The Help Desk will confirm the visiting teacher with the assignment and may possibly have another assignment available for the other visiting teacher.

What if I get a late call?

If you receive a call after the start of the assignment, you can still accept the job. Immediately call the school to let them know you’re on your way. The SAMS will call out until 11:55 a.m. to try and staff an open assignment.  If the school doesn’t need you and forgot to cancel the job, you will be informed when you call the school.  If the school still needs you, they will appreciate your help on such late notice.

What if a job is canceled?

The secretary or the teacher will attempt to reach you before the start of the assignment if the job has been canceled. Remember to call SAMS to confirm assignments prior to the assignment start time. You will know it has been canceled if you do not hear the job number.

How do I try and get on a school’s preferred list?

By performing effectively and requesting the site administrator to add you to their school site’s preferred list of visiting teachers.

What if I am called for an assignment that I do not want?

You are not obligated to accept every assignment you are offered. If you decline three assignments during a call out period, SAMS will not call you again for assignments that day. The district wants and sometimes needs to know the reason why an assignment is declined or canceled. SAMS will prompt you to enter reason codes for declines/cancellations. The codes are as follows:

  1. Not qualified for the assignment
  2. Illness- Personal
  3. Illness - Family or no child care
  4. Transportation problems
  5. Substitute did not show up (Sub Management Desk use only)
  6. Business / Personal
  7. Working elsewhere within the district
  8. Working elsewhere outside the district
  9. Other reason(s)

What if I change my telephone number?

You can call into SAMS and change your call back number. The system will instruct you to also notify the SAMS operator if this is a permanent change. If your area code is 619, do not include area code when changing the call back number. If your area code is other than 619, you must enter 1 + the area code + 7-digit phone number.  Do not enter an invalid telephone number.  This will cause you to be permanently deleted from SAMS.

Will I be evaluated?

Yes, for daily assignments, an evaluation is completed when necessary or as time permits. An evaluation is completed on long-term assignments of 15 days or more. The site administrator will evaluate your performance noting superior and/or unsatisfactory performance. You will receive a copy of these evaluations.

Am I eligible to participate in the Post and Bid for teacher vacancies?

Visiting Teachers have access to the district’s Post and Bid in February and July. The Post and Bid is a listing of teaching position vacancies. Visiting Teachers may bid for positions that they are interested in.  Visiting Teachers are limited to a maximum of eight bids. In the event that no contract unit member bids for a position for which a leave replacement unit member or visiting teacher has submitted a bid, the visiting teacher shall be entitled to an interview. Post and Bid information is available approximately the first week in February and the first week in July. Information and instructions on how to submit a bid are accessible on-line.  Sign on to San Diego Unified School District website at www.sandi.net

What if I have 30-day emergency permit?

Visiting Teachers with 30-day emergency permits are not eligible to teach over 30 workdays for any one teacher during the school year.

SOME SUGGESTIONS......

Be an informed substitute - learn the school rules.
You are assigned in the absence of the teacher - follow the lesson plans as if you were the teacher.
Have a positive, enthusiastic attitude.
Expect respect and cooperation. Be respectful of student opinions.
Fairness and consistency are necessary to maintain good classroom control.
Model the behavior you want from the students.
Walk around the room; stand next to the noisy person or group.
Keep the students busy - BE PREPARED and BE ORGANIZED!
Ask questions of other teachers and administrators.
Carry a book of "sponges" - activities which you can use to fill in the time gap in the lessons ... articles to discuss, a book to read aloud, brain-teasers, problem solvers, etc.
Physical conditions in a room may affect the behavior of pupils. Watch for ventilation, temperature, and light. Keep the room neat.
Supervise the students as they enter and leave the room...SMILE!
Whenever possible, avoid an open clash with the student(s). As a role model, display kindness and sympathy lined with firmness as a far better way to maintain classroom control.
Additional suggestions can be obtained via the internet. The Teacher Recruitment Center offers an excellent website with many resources for visiting teachers. Visit their website at http://www.teachsocal.org/sub.asp

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