Tag: faq

Rights: Courses

Modesto Teachers Association

FAQ

Is a 7-12 teacher required to teach zero (0) through seven (7) periods?

No. Teachers in grades 7-12 will generally be assigned over the eight period day (5 class periods, 1 lunch, and 1 preparation period), either periods 0-6, 1-7 or 2-8.

Upon mutual agreement, teacher in grades 7-12 may opt for additional period(s) and/or schedule. Failure to mutually agree shall not cause any reprisals or negative actions towards the teacher [Article IV, L-M].

Disclaimer:
This source provides general information about rights. The information made available is subject to change without notice. It does not provide legal advice and user assumes the risk of verifying any materials used or relied upon.

Rights: Leadership

Modesto Teachers Association

FAQ

Does the Leadership Team make decisions for the school site?

The school site leadership team should work with their site to make decisions. Leadership should present ideas at a staff meeting and seek input from all staff. Leadership members should work towards staff consensus on ideas suggested for implementation.

If an individual feels they have not voice on leadership and the administration is dictating agendas, contact the MTA office. Professional Learning Communities should be teacher driven and per contract “shall be mutally agreed upon” [Article VI, C.1-2].

What are the 4 questions to guide the collaboration?

These agendas shall be responsive to the needs of the students and focus on improving student achievement. The following four (4) questions will guide collaboration [Article VI, C.2]: What do we want students to learn? How will we know they are learning? How will we respond when they don’t learn? How will we respond if they already know it?

Do we need to create an agenda for PLC?

Yes, agendas shall be mutally agreed upon by the site admin and the leadership team. Staff should have input. Collaboration agendas shall be mutually agreed upon between the site administration and the Site Leadership Team, (or specialty group PLC team in the absence of a representative on the Site Leadership Team) [Article VI, C.1-2].

Is the 15-day Challenge required?

No. Per Brad Goudeau, “Some forms/documents/guides have been created to support teachers/collaboration teams in their work. The utilization of types of items are optional.

Do I need to complete the Know Thy Impact for our PLC?

No. Per Brad Goudeau, “Some forms/documents/guides have been created to support teachers/collaboration teams in their work. The utilization of types of items are optional.

Disclaimer:
This source provides general information about rights. The information made available is subject to change without notice. It does not provide legal advice and user assumes the risk of verifying any materials used or relied upon.

Rights: Weingarten Rights

Modesto Teachers Association

FAQ

What are my rights when summoned by an administrator?

If you are summoned by an administrator to an investigatory meeting that you believe might possibly result in disciplinary action against you, you have a legal right to union representation.

It is important to remember that you must make the request for representation. Use the Weingarten Statement below to invoke your right to union representation and contact your site representative and/or the Association.

Assert your Weingarten Rights to representation in meetings that you believe may lead to discipline [SCOTUS Decision: NLRB v. Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251 (1975)].

“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I respectfully request that my union representative be present.”

Weingarten Rights

What if the directive violates the contract or a safety risk?

Obey now, Grieve Later: If you are given a direct order that you do not believe is appropriate (it violates the contract, for example), you may ask your supervisor to clarify that he/she is in fact giving you an order or directive to do ______.

Contact your site representative and document the directive utilizing carbon copied emails to all parties. Once this is clear, you may say: “Fine. I will do what you are asking only because you are ordering me to do it. I will follow your directive under protest and against my better judgment and may take further action (grieve) later.” [SCOTUS Decision: NLRB v. Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251 (1975)].

Disclaimer:
This source provides general information about rights. The information made available is subject to change without notice. It does not provide legal advice and user assumes the risk of verifying any materials used or relied upon.