THE ROLE OF THE CONTACT TEACHER

Effective communication with members is of paramount importance, if the Association is to deliver quality services to them. The Association has achieved a measure of success in reaching its membership through the efforts of leaders in Schools, District and Parish Associations. The institution of the Contact Teacher System (school representatives) was another of the efforts to reach and be involved with its members at the school level. The system has resulted in significant improvements in our communication network. The J.T.A./J.T.A. Co-operative Credit Union Limited needs to draw on the skills and expertise of all its members if it is to be the Organization it aught to be. 1.Who should be selected a Contact Teacher? i.A member in good standing ii.A member who is loyal to the Association and his/her colleagues iii.A member who is well informed about the Association – structure and who to contact about what

iv. A member who has some knowledge about the operation of the Jamaican Education System v.A member who believes in advocacy vi.A member who has the respect of his/her colleagues. 2.How the Contact Teacher should be selected? At the beginning of the school year the members of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association should meet and select one from among the group to be the Contact Teacher. 3. What is the Contact Teacher expected to do? i.Distribute the Association’s literatures and other materials and encourage the perusal thereof.

ii. Recruit new members and provide the JTA Secretariat/the Credit Union Management with up- to-date staff list. iii.Be liaison person between the school, the relevant District and Parish Associations and the parent Organization. iv. Organize meetings from time to time with other members at the school to deal with relevant matters. v.Attend the annual Contact Teacher Workshops organized by the JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited. vi.Keep the Association informed about opinions, suggestions and needs of members. vii.Alert the Association of potential problems at the school.

viii.Provide colleagues with information about the Association’s activities, achievements, projects and services. ix.Assist in settling disputes between members. x.Keep colleagues informed about the conditions governing teachers’ employment, structure of salary scales and other entitlements.

4. How should the Contact Teacher relate to the School Administration? The Contact Teacher recognizes the authority of the Principal as the head of the Institution. i.Informs the Principal of all correspondence received from the JTA/JTA Co-operative Union Limited. ii.Seeks the permission of the Principal if for a good reason, a meeting of the JTA/JTA Co-operative Limited members on staff is required. iii.Informs the Principal of requests from the JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited for data on the school.

iv.Informs the Principal of invitations sent to the JTA for an Officer to visit the school. Should not undermine the authority of the Principal. 5.How should the Principal relate to the Contact Teacher? i.The Principal accepts the Contact Teacher as the legitimate representative of the JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited members on the staff. ii.The Principal facilitates the Contact Teacher in carrying out the legitimate activities of a Contact Teacher. iii.The Principal should be willing to seek the advice of the Contact Teacher on relevant matters.

SUGGESTED COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES FOR CONTACT TEACHERS 1.JTA Central Offices (a) Read thoroughly all materials sent to you by the office. If you have any questions, call the JTA Secretariat or a Parish Association Officer or JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited Regional Officer/ Management. (b)Respond promptly and fully to any requests from the JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited office for information. Consider requests from the JTA office for action. (c)Initiate communication with the JTA/JTA Co- operative Credit Union Limited office. Remember communication is a two-way process. If you have a matter which may be of interest to the JTA/JTA Co-operative Credit Union Limited report it.

2. Parish and District Associations (a)Establish links with the President of the Parish and District Associations. (b)Report any school matter which may be of interest to the Parish and or District Associations. (c) Support the activities of the Parish and District Associations. Attend its meetings where possible. (d)Consider any request from the Parish Association for assistance, information or action.