No matter how people want it, but years fly inexorably, children grow up, and inevitably there comes that momentous moment when yesterday's baby becomes a first grader. In his life there are changes that have a huge impact on the formation of his personality. How successfully a student copes with numerous and completely different in nature difficulties depends largely on the participation and assistance provided to the child by his class teacher.
This is not just an ordinary teacher, but a kind of mentor who is responsible for the fate of his young wards. The teacher carries out professional activities, guided not only by their moral and ethical values, but also by the provisions of the document known as the “Job description of the class teacher”. This article will help to understand what it is.
The job description of the class teacher: what is it and what is it for?
When a teacher gets a job in a school educational institution, in addition to concluding an employment contract, he is obliged to familiarize himself and sign another important document. We are talking about what is called “Job description of the class teacher” in professional circles. It is important to note that this document is not developed for a single employee, but for a specific position. In other words, the job description of the class teacher is impersonal and regulates the procedure for the performance of work (activity) by all teachers of the institution holding the corresponding post, without exception.
There is no single template content for the document. However, as a rule, the instruction contains sections that include clauses related to general provisions, duties, rights, responsibilities and working relationships.
Who is the class teacher?
The work of the class teacher is hard work that deserves great respect and at the same time admiration. To find an individual approach to each student, to be imbued with his problems, sincerely try to understand and help, without harming at the same time, can only be a teacher by vocation. Not all teachers can afford to become a mentor of a whole class and take responsibility for each student.
Traditionally, a class teacher is called a teacher who creates a favorable climate and conditions for the intellectual and psychological development of the child; if necessary, makes certain adjustments to the practiced education system; deals with organizational issues related to school and extracurricular creative activities of students; participates in resolving conflict situations that arise between students, with teachers, as well as with parents.
Knowledge required by the class teacher
The job description of the class teacher in the school, as a rule, contains a clause that lists the basic knowledge the teacher needs in order to occupy the corresponding post. Thus, the teacher must demonstrate his competence in:
- issues of pedagogy and child developmental psychology;
- features of the physiological development of schoolchildren;
- internal regulations and other documents of an educational institution;
- elementary school hygiene rules;
- the ability to monitor the activities and progress of pupils;
- knowledge of the theory and methods of educational work ;
- ability to organize student leisure;
- persuasion skills;
- the ability to compromise and choose the best possible way out of any conflict situation.
The job description of the class teacher at the school may contain other requirements for the knowledge and skills of teachers who want to take this honorary post. Such strict selection criteria are not accidental, because how professionally the children will develop (both intellectually and psychologically) depends on the teacher’s professional abilities.
The class teacher and his main responsibilities
The job description of the class teacher on the GEF provides that in the process of work, the teacher must fulfill the following duties:
- analyze problems;
- to predict changes that will require urgent adjustment of the educational plan ;
- plan the course of the educational process, develop the necessary methodological documentation, timely identify the deviant behavior of students;
- coordinate the activities of pupils during the preparation and conduct of various school activities;
- takes care of ensuring the safety of students, regularly checking the serviceability of school equipment, devices and other technical means used for educational purposes;
- advise parents on issues related to the educational process;
- assess the level of education of students and their school performance.
The class teacher and his functions
The job description of the class teacher in the elementary grades, as well as in the middle and senior grades, provides that the teacher must fulfill his main functions:
- Plan, organize and control the educational process in the class he leads.
- To create the conditions necessary for the harmonious and comprehensive development of students, as well as with the aim of creating self-esteem and respect for others among the pupils.
What rights does the class teacher have?
Regardless of the type of school educational institution, the job description of the class teacher of primary grades in the Federal State Educational Standard should contain a section that lists the rights of the teacher. Their wording may be different, but the meaning is the same. The basic rights a class teacher has are:
- the right to choose the methods and forms of implementation of the educational process;
- the right to apply disciplinary measures on pupils who have committed any misconduct, as a result of which the educational process has been disorganized;
- the right to request and receive from the management information and methodological materials necessary for the high-quality fulfillment of the duties prescribed by the job description;
- the right to call in school legal representatives of students and inform them about student performance;
- the right to demand from pupils strict adherence to standards of conduct and the Charter of an educational institution;
- the right to raise the level of professional qualifications.
Responsibility of the class teacher
Speaking about the responsibilities of the class teacher, it is a priori assumed that the teacher is personally responsible for their improper fulfillment. How the teacher will be responsible for his misconduct depends on the degree of their severity.
Responsibility is an integral section that contains the job description of the class teacher (in 2014 this document, or it was developed much earlier, does not matter). So, the job description provides that:
- in the case of an unreasonable violation of the requirements of the Charter or other documented rules of the school educational institution, the teacher is punished with a disciplinary sanction;
- for neglect of the design, maintenance and storage of school documentation of the class teacher awaiting recovery in accordance with the organizational documents of the school;
- if the teacher allowed himself to use physical or mental violence against the student, the class teacher will face dismissal. In addition, law enforcement agencies may be interested in teacher actions;
- the class teacher is financially liable for causing damage to the educational institution.
Official relationship
As for the job relationships of the class teacher, the following most important points should be noted:
- in accordance with the internal order of the school, the class teacher replaces his temporarily absent colleagues by order of the leadership;
- the class teacher coordinates the developed plan for the upcoming academic year or a quarter with the senior management;
- periodically, the teacher in writing reports to the director or his deputy about the work done by him;
- regularly contacts with other teachers, the administration and senior management of the school, as well as with the parents of their pupils.
The class teacher and his role in shaping the personality of the student
The role played by the class teacher in shaping the student’s personality cannot be underestimated. This is supported by the following:
- the teacher creates favorable conditions for the harmonious and comprehensive development of pupils;
- provides support to the student in his desire to achieve excellent results in learning and creative activities ;
- forms students' skills in maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
- helps every child to adapt in the team and society;
- as far as possible creates the necessary conditions in order to strengthen the family ties of students with their parents.
A good class teacher who loves children and understands the specifics of child and adolescent psychology becomes a child a true friend who is always ready to provide support and help in difficult times.