CLASS COVERAGES

When a teacher is absent, the principal should always attempt to cover that class, preferably with a substitute teacher. When a substitute is not available, the principal should first ask for volunteers and, if that doesn’t work, He can assign you to provide coverage. As a last resort, the principal can break up the class and spread its students among similar classes.
In elementary schools, the practice of breaking up classes is strongly discouraged; if this is a common occurrence in your school, you should notify your chapter leader and district representative immediately. Except in an emergency, your preparation period should not be lost to an involuntary class coverage. Principals should always seek volunteers before assigning someone involuntarily to cover a class.
If you teach in a secondary school, you can be assigned a class coverage on your preparation or professional period. Just as in the elementary schools, principals should seek volunteers before assigning someone involuntarily.
Regardless of whether you teach in an elementary or secondary school, all class coverages should be assigned on a rotating basis among those available. You don’t get paid for your first class coverage per term, but you will be paid for each additional coverage – whether assigned voluntarily or involuntarily – at the contractual rate of pay.