2. OBJECTIVES
• Review The Literacy Lab’s professional
expectations
• Explore how professionalism is demonstrated
• Discuss how to handle challenges
• Practice: real life scenarios
4. How is professionalism demonstrated?
• In attitude
• In writing and other forms
of communication
• In interpersonal
interactions
5. Attitude
Attitude should exemplify the
organization’s core values:
1. Relationships
2. Careful Use of Resources
3. Impact
4. Going Above and Beyond
5. Giving the Best to Those who
Need it Most
Tutors are expected to be:
• Friendly
• Solution-Oriented
• Respectful
• Optimistic
• Open-minded
• Demonstrating integrity in their
actions
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big
difference.” – Winston Churchill
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6. Written Communication
• Attention to Detail
• Full sentences and complete thoughts
• Spell & grammar check
• Timeliness
• Emails checked & responded to daily
• Advance notice given for absences and
tardiness
• Meets Expectations & Anticipates Q’s
• Use supervisor’s preferred mode of
contact
• Close the loop on emails
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10. Communication Norms
•Email (preferred): updates, information, questions…
- Appropriate email etiquette
- Respond within 48 hours (Welcome emails from your schools)
- Grammar, spelling, punctuation
- Professional Tone (tip: re-read emails out-loud to yourself)
•Call: Longer questions, working together through a challenge, emergencies
•Text: Running late for training, out sick from school
• Avoid calling/texting coach, lead teacher, or program staff on evenings and
weekends unless an emergency
• Leave a voicemail and/or follow up with an email
11. Students
Tutors should be respectful of
their students in every interaction.
With students:
• Exercise patience
• Be a role-model
• Be understanding of each
student and their individual
needs, situation, and
background
• Honor confidentiality
Staff
Tutors should work and
communicate effectively with
peers, coaches, and Literacy Lab
& school staff.
In your role:
• Maintain open lines of
communication with the team
• Address concerns in a timely
and solution-oriented way
• Adhere to outlined
expectations
General Public
Be mindful of how you represent
yourself as an ambassador of The
Literacy Lab.
With others:
• While in gear or at work, be
polite and helpful to all
• Be a team-player
• Don’t gossip, and be conscious
of the impact of your words &
actions
Interpersonal Interactions
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14. Professional Expectations: Code of Conduct
Attendance
• Follow a set schedule every day that school is in session
• Utilize the sign-in procedure designated by your school and coach
• Accrue hours on non-instructional days (sometimes called “teacher
work days”)
• Follow established protocol to notify Coaches and Staff of all late
arrivals, early departures, and unscheduled absences. Pre-K tutors
should also notify lead teacher.
• Submit requests in Paycom for absences
• Attend all required training sessions, events and scheduled meetings
with coaches and program staff
• Provide timely notification and be prepared to attend make up
session if unable to attend18
Good attendance 🡪 DOSAGE GOAL of 80%
15. Professional Expectations: Code of Conduct
Additional Notes on Attendance
• The Literacy Lab reserves the right to withhold payment if a member does not
report to their service site for two consecutive days without notifying their
Coaches or Program Staff.
• Tutors will receive an allotment of excused absences. Absences in excess of this
allotment may result in a fine of $25 per instance. In the event of extenuating
circumstances affecting attendance, tutors should contact their program staff to
discuss potential options.
16. Professional Expectations: Code of Conduct
Performance
• Perform the functions of the position description
• Submit timesheets according to the time sheet schedule
• Complete annual or biannual member surveys
• Submit RCDMS data each week (deadline is Friday at 5pm)
• Adhere to all Literacy Lab and service site policies, procedures, and codes of
conduct
• Avoid engaging in prohibited activities while earning service hours or wearing the
AmeriCorps logo
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17. Professional Expectations: Code of Conduct
Confidentiality
• Will be covered in a separate session
Professionalism
Beyond expectations of general professionalism, tutors are expected to:
• Wear Literacy Lab-issued shirts when serving at school site. Refrain from wearing
denim pants or athletic or cloth shorts or leggings.
• Check email daily and respond to all communication in 1-2 business days
• Limit cell phone use to break times both at service site and during training
sessions
• Have adequate childcare in place, including back up options
• Ensure all Literacy Lab and site-issued materials are cared for and returned in
good condition at the close of service
19-
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18. Dress Code
School:
• Business casual + gear
Trainings:
• Business casual - Business casual attire is less formal than traditional business
clothing but still professional enough to be office appropriate. This might
include a skirt or slacks, a button down shirt, and closed-toe shoes.
Member Events:
• Appropriate casual
21. Where Can I find Professional Attire?
•Amazon essentials – approximately $20/pair of professional pants
•Consignment/Thrift stores
•Walmart (approximately $20/pair), Target (approximately$22/pair)
•If you have questions or need support with purchasing professional clothes, please
reach out to your program staff point of contact.
22. Professional Expectations: Code of Conduct
Internet Usage
• Follow service site internet and computer usage policy and ensure your internet activity
remains professional
• Do not communicate with students or parents via email or online social networks
• Set all social networking sites to private
• Read over all prohibited activities on page 20
Safety Expectations
• Members should only be present at the service site when other school personnel are also
present.
• Members should never be in a 1:1 situation with a student that cannot be visually
monitored by another adult.
• Members should walk to and from parking lots or transit stations with a companion if
possible, especially after dark.
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23. Discipline Procedure
i. Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
i. Program Staff, Master Coach, and Internal Coach will work together to identify the
problems, the underlying factors contributing to the problem, and solutions or tactics
to solve those problems and improve performance
ii. Probation
i. If performance expectations are not met after the PIP is implemented, tutors may be
placed on probation for a set amount of time (usually 30 days).
iii. Involuntary Suspension of Service
i. Stop active service: no hours earned and living allowance suspended
iv. Exit from Service for Cause
i. End active service. All benefits will cease and education award is forfeited
ii. May prevent future service in another AmeriCorps program
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25. Challenges to Professionalism: How to Respond
• Take a breath – Pause and realize that you’re facing a challenge before acting or
reacting
• Communicate - Tell the people around you’ve identified or are facing a challenge
• Ask for Support – If necessary, reach out for support
• Make a Plan – Figure out how to address the issue
• All together – T-CAM!
• Because when you’re stressed, a good remedy is tea. What kind? Chamomile!
26. Cultural Context
• We all have different backgrounds and values, which means we may have different:
• Communication styles
• Styles of dress
• Approaches to handling conflict
• Before you assume someone is acting unprofessionally, stop and consider if the
behavior you expect is a preference, tradition, or a requirement
Preferences
• Personal choices
Traditions
• “The way it’s always
been”
Requirements
• Necessary to do the
work
