PTO Today

We have had the same teacher representative for over 5 years and now there has been a new interest with the other teachers. The representative has only attended the meetings and that is all. We were wondering what are the guidelines or duties the teacher representative would have.

[We have had the same teacher representative for over 5 years and now there has been a new interest with the other teachers. The representative has only attended the meetings and that is all. We were wondering what are the guidelines or duties the teacher representative would have. Who picks the teacher for this postion? The staff or the PTO Board?

At my last school the principal approached the teachers. I think he asked for "volunteers". Because teachers earned Continuing Professional Development Units they were easily encouraged. That, and the PTO and staff has a great relationship at the school so they were all too happy to help.

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4kids,

I think the answer really comes down to your Bylaws. Most positions should be defined in your group's Bylaws, if you have them. If not, then you may want to suggest creating a set of Bylaws and part of that effort can be defining the position roles, including Teacher Rep.

But overall I would say that a Teacher Rep. should be the one that updates the staff on all things PTO and can ask for/provide feedback from the teachers and other staff members.

Should they be involved in your events? We'll definitely if they wish to be, but should they HAVE to be? Not so sure on that one. Certain events, such as Field Day and maybe Field Trips, would be more directly influenced by the staff, but other than that you may not be able to expect her to be directly involved (though you would hope she would be).

PresidentJim

Our Teacher Liaison position and description is included in our bylaws along with the Board member descriptions, but it isn't a Board position. I'm not sure how she was selected as she's been the Liaison for 7 years, but I'm sure it was the Principal asking for a volunteer, and not the PTO appointing someone.

Mainly, she attends the meetings and gives a report, if she has something to report (we include her on our agenda). She shares any concerns and requests from the teachers that is PTO-related, we ask for her input on things we might want to do that involve the teachers. She also reports back to the teachers during their staff meeting on anything relevant to them that came out of the PTO meeting. For any event or activity we sponsor that takes place outside of school hours, it's nice if she [I]wants[/I] to attend, but it's not expected of her.