Current Instructors | Saturday Academy

This is your resource for teaching with Saturday Academy.

JOBS & RESPONSIBILITIES: OVERVIEW

As a Saturday Academy instructor you are being hired to do the following:

Prepare materials and lesson plans for your class.
Communicate all software and technology requirements to Saturday Academy no later than 2 months before class begins.
Communicate supply needs to Saturday Academy Operations staff a minimum of three weeks before class begins or buy necessary supplies and submit a form for reimbursement (within your class budget).
Safeguard SA equipment and personal information, such as student rosters by having them in your control at all times. Between classes, SA equipment and personal information must be stored in a safe, locked location, NOT to include your personal vehicle.
Login to your instructor dashboard to locate your student roster. This is viewable on your mobile device or you may print out a copy.
Arrive well before class start time to greet students and setup any necessary equipment.
Call any students who were absent from the first class meeting to remind the family of the student’s enrollment (or communicate this information to SA staff that day).
Remain with students 7th grade and younger until parents pick them up from the classroom. If the delay is more than 15 minutes, call parents. If no response, call the SA office at 503.200.5858 to see if we can assist.
Administer student evaluations on the last day of class and complete an instructor evaluation form.
Return evaluations and reimbursement forms to Saturday Academy within two weeks of your class ending.

Before Your Class

Select from the following:

What supplies are available for me to request?

Basic classroom supplies are available for pick‐up at the Saturday Academy office. This includes, but is not limited to, items such as: Pencils, Paper, Index Cards, Post‐It Notes, Glue, Tape, Rulers, Scissors, Protractors, Compasses, Calculators, Markers, Permanent Markers, Dry Erase Markers, Sheet Protectors, Composition Books, 2‐Pocket Folders and Rubber Bands.

We have limited quantities of specialty equipment such as: Science Kits, Robotics Kits, First Aid Kits, Microscopes, Laptops, Camcorders, Wacom Tablets, Digital Cameras, Digital Projectors, Webcams, Tripods, Headphones and Microphones.

How do I request supplies for my class?

You may request your supplies through your instructor dashboard no later than 3-weeks before the start of your class. NOTE: If you have been given a class budget and would like to purchase supplies yourself, please see additional information regarding instructor reimbursement.

I need a really specialized item for my class that you probably don’t have at your offices. Can I get it?

Be sure to include any specialized items in your supply list; you’d be surprised what we have! If we don’t have the item, we can place an order. Contact the Operations Manager no later than 1 month prior to class with as much detail as possible (link preferred).

How should I make copies for my class?

Copies and large print jobs should be done through the SA office. You can email a digital copy of the documents with clear instructions to the Operations Manager, and then schedule a time to come in to the office to pick up your materials.

How should I request software or technology for my class?

You may request your software or technology through your instructor dashboard 2 months prior to your class start with all software and hardware needs. Email the IT Associate if you have any questions.

How should I return supplies?

Return all equipment and supply kits clean, organized and ready to use by the next instructor. Clearly note any equipment or kit that is broken, missing parts or needs restocking.

During Your Class

Select from the following:

When should I arrive to my class?

Arrive to your class with enough time to find your room, setup equipment, and greet students. Typically, we recommend that instructors give themselves at least 15 minutes before the start time of class to do this.

What do I do if I have a scheduling conflict with a scheduled class time?

If you are unable to teach during the dates/times listed on the class contract sent before each term, please contact the Director of Operations. If you cannot attend any class session due to emergencies, call your Classes department contact as early as possible to allow for alternative arrangements to be made. If you cannot reach them, call the SA office for assistance.

Are students allowed to miss the first day of my class?

Attendance at the first class meeting is required for most courses. If a student is absent from the first class, please check in with your contact in the Classes Department. A student can attend future classes with your approval.

Are student allowed to leave the classroom at the end of the day without a parent?

Students in grades 2 – 7 are required to be picked up at the classroom unless prior arrangements have been made by the site coordinator or the student’s parent. Exceptions must be made in writing with the instructor.

What do I do if a parent is more than 15 minutes late picking up their student?

You must stay on site to supervise the students until all students have been picked up. Do not release children to unauthorized persons. Do not leave students alone to wait for parents. For your own protection, do not drive a child home or place yourself in any other questionable situation with a student. If a student’s parent/guardian fails to pick up the student, use the contact numbers on the student information report to call the parent/guardian/emergency contact. If you cannot reach a late parent by phone, call Saturday Academy at (503) 200‐5858. Please let Saturday Academy know if parents are not picking up their students on time or if the site coordinator has not been available to stay with the student after class.

Can parents or other adults watch my class?

No guests are permitted into a Saturday Academy class without explicit permission from the SA staff. Parents are only allowed to attend if they receive staff and instructor permission. SA Staff members will on occasion observe your class, and other instructors can request to observe a class with your permission.

What expectations should I set with students regarding facilities and equipment?

Students are expected to treat the equipment and facilities with respect. Please remind students they are in an adult environment and to treat it with care. No playing with equipment, running in the halls, or excessive noise. We are guests in the schools and are expected to leave the classrooms in better condition than they were found. Locate the boys and girls bathrooms closest to you prior to the first class. Always use the buddy system for bathroom breaks for elementary and middle school students when at PSU and other settings in which the general public has access.

Who should I speak to at Saturday Academy if I have a behavior issue?

While Saturday Academy strives to serve all curious students, there may be a student who requires special accommodations. We will work with the parent/guardian to make the class a positive learning experience for everyone involved. Call or email your Classes department contact, or the summer site coordinator if you experience behavior issues such as:

Disruptive or violent student behavior ‐ Disruptive students or students unable or unwilling to participate in class will be withdrawn from class.
Unsatisfied parents/guardians
Students with special needs not previously identified by the parent or guardian
Students’ that divulge concerning personal situations.

If you suspect a student is not safe in their home, please report this to Saturday Academy staff immediately. Do not engage students in discussion on these matters.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Always demonstrate proper techniques for using equipment. Students should earn the opportunity to use tools by demonstrating appropriate, safe handling.
If your class leaves its assigned room, put a sign on the door with your location and the time due back. If you are in a school setting, notify the site coordinator or office staff.
Be aware of emergency exits and check with site coordinators for school emergency procedures. In the event of a fire drill, you must exit the building with students.

IN THE LAB

Ensure that students use all standard safety equipment and follow all standard procedures at all times.
Alert students to all possible dangers of working with certain tools and chemicals.
Familiarize yourself with Materials Safety Data Sheets in case of emergency. These can be found inside science kits.

ON FIELD TRIPS

Always take the class roster, student permission slips, a first aid kit, a cell phone, and maps/directions to your destination.
Seat belts must be used at all times by all passengers. Use the buddy system and have students notify you if their partner is missing.
Always TAKE ROLL prior to leaving any location. Remember, travel time could be used as instructional time.
For computer‐based classes: Parents must be informed if you intend to have a student share personal information to create online accounts for software or applications necessary to complete class work (i.e. Edmodo, Tumblr, etc). If you determine this to be necessary, please alert your contact in the Classes department so that notifications can be provided to parents. Do not allow a student to share personal information online without express permission for their parents.

SECURITY CONCERNS DURING CLASS

Be alert for any suspicious person or activities near your classroom or the restrooms. Contact site security immediately if you witness suspicious behavior.

Portland State University: Non-Emergency (503.725.4407) Emergency (503.725.4404)
University of Portland: Non-Emergency (503.943.7161) Emergency (503.943.4444)
For any other site, contact the SA offices.

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Why is it important?

Here are Saturday Academy, we value the reflective process, and are always looking for ways to improve our learning experience! At the end of each class, we invite all students, parents and instructors to tell us the best parts of their experience, and places for improvement. For grant‐based programs, collection of feedback is required.

How do I collect feedback from my students at the end of class?

Feedback can be collected electronically or manually, depending on amenities available for your class. If collecting feedback manually, you will receive an instructor packet in the mail including: Student feedback forms, an Instructor feedback form, a reimbursement form and a Postage Paid Returns envelope. Submit all feedback forms, reimbursement forms, receipts, and attendance sheets in the postage paid return envelope within two weeks of the completion of your class. Save at least five minutes at the end of the last class meeting for students to complete their feedback forms. Review student feedback prior to returning it to the office. If collecting feedback electronically, you will receive an email containing the survey URL along with instructions on how to get students feedback on the last day of class.

How do I give feedback as an instructor about my experience?

The instructor feedback form provides a space you to reflect on your experience teaching for Saturday Academy. Submitting feedback is a part of your obligation to Saturday Academy as an instructor and is critical for the work that we do!

How do I submit reimbursement forms and where can I find the reimbursement form?

If you were granted a supply budget for your class and would like to be reimbursed for items you purchased (for a class that ran), you must complete the reimbursement form,

Faculty Reimbursement 2017FILLABLE.pdf

Download Faculty Reimbursement 2017FILLABLE.pdf (25.92 KB)

attach your original receipts, and mail it to Saturday Academy. Forms must be submitted no later than two weeks after your last class meeting. Late requests may not be able to be processed. Non‐consumable supplies become the property of Saturday Academy if you receive reimbursement and should be returned to the office once your class is over.

I want to purchase snacks for my students. Does Saturday Academy reimburse for that?

Unfortunately, we cannot reimburse for snacks, but appreciate your thoughtfulness in providing snacks for students. For all our classes, we recommend that parents provide snacks for their students. If you want to bring additional snacks, please carefully review the medical notes on your Student Information form for allergy information, and DO NOT bring snacks that contain peanuts of any form.

Does Saturday Academy reimburse for parking?

We only reimburse for parking costs incurred while teaching at PSU, as follows: Sundays, we do not reimburse for parking because PSU parking structures allow free parking. Saturdays, to a maximum of $5/day. PSU Parking Structure 3 allows parking for the $5 rate. For Monday – Friday, to a maximum of $9/day. PSU Parking Structure 3 allows parking for $2.50/hour or $9/day. Other lots are more expensive. Original parking receipts must accompany your reimbursement form. Payment for Instructors receiving a stipend How will I receive payment for my class? Instructor payments are mailed out on the last day of each month. If your class spans more than one month, your teaching fee will be evenly distributed between those months.

Can I enroll in Direct Deposit?

To enroll in Direct Deposit, please contact Laurie Mack, Financial Manager