THE ROLE OF THE CONTACT TEACHER

1
THE ROLE OF THE CONTACT TEACHER
2

• 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

3

• 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 Associations literatures
  and other materials and encourage the perusal
  thereof.

4

• 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.

5

• viii. Provide colleagues with information about
  the Associations 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.

6

• 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.

7

• 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.

8

• 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.

9

• 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.