Yes, having a lesson plan is a professional responsibility.

An administrator may ask for a copy of your lesson plan as part of the observation cycle. Lesson Plans may not be collected in a mechanical or routinized manner.

No, your principal may suggest that elements be included but they cannot be required.

No, the format and organization, including which elements are to be included, and whether to write the plan digitally or on paper, are up to the teacher’s discretion.

No, teachers are not required to have a hard copy of their lesson plan for their administration.

A preparation period is used for unassigned work, i.e. lesson planning, grading, and preparing for classes.

Yes. Teachers can be assigned to cover one class in the fall and one class in the spring without compensation. In an emergency, teachers may be assigned a coverage during their prep, as per contractual rotation, and be compensated at the coverage rate.

The unavailability of a teacher to cover a class (i.e., a substitute teacher) constitutes an emergency.

No. A principal cannot mandate meetings or administrative duties during your prep period. If you’re directed to do things like these on your prep, you should follow the directive to avoid being insubordinate. Then, you should speak to the Chapter Leader about being paid the coverage rate for your lost prep. You can also file a grievance for the inappropriate assignment and request coverage pay. You can also request that this issue be raised at your chapter’s Consultation Committee meeting.

To become a full-time paraprofessional for the New York City Department of Education (DOE), you must first become a substitute paraprofessional, and serve at least 25 days in that role. You must also have the New York State Teaching Assistant certificate (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/careers/other-jobs-in-schools/paraprofessionals-and-substitute-paraprofessionals).