Teacher Duties Outside of Job Description​

The things school administrators ask or expect teachers to do often are not part of their job description. While unfair, some educators are unsure how to approach their principal about objecting to taking on these extra duties.

This article describes some of the tasks teachers are expected to perform despite their job description. It also offers suggestions on how to speak up and let the administration know you won’t tolerate being taken advantage of.

If you’re an educator constantly asked to go above and beyond the call of duty, it may be time to consult an employment attorney. We’ve also included links to related FindLaw articles at the bottom of the page.

Questions To Ask Yourself When You’re Unclear About Your Official Duties

If it feels like you’re doing way more than what your job description requires, you probably are. There’s nothing wrong with going the extra mile. Most employees do that as a matter of course, but at some point it’s okay to say “enough is enough!”

Some of the issues you may encounter on the job include:

• What administration asks you to do vs. what it hired you to do
• Playing the role of caregiver vs. serving the role of teacher
• Managing a school environment vs. a daycare environment

There are significant differences between the training of a special education teacher, special education paraprofessional, school nurse, school employee, and a regular classroom teacher/general education teacher. Understanding your job duties will help you protect your rights.

What Should Your Job Description Include?

When starting a job with a school, the human resources officer should have given you a copy of your job description. It’s common for the school to require that you sign the document so they can take you to task if you fail to meet the job requirements.

Educators generally have a legal responsibility to:

• Educate learners by following the state curriculum
• Prepare and follow approved lesson plans
• Create and maintain a safe learning environment
• Notify staff and management of disciplinary issues
• Document student progress and provide feedback to learners and their parents when applicable
• Identify whether a child needs a special education program
• Use EpiPens in an emergency (if trained)
• Never leave the classroom unattended during the day when students are present
• Stay current with all professional development and professional responsibility continuing education requirements

These responsibilities apply to all educators, regardless of the type of student they teach. The job description for special education teachers will have additional responsibilities and differ in other ways.

Duties of Special Education Teachers

The job descriptions of educators who teach children with special needs or disabilities require them to perform additional duties. Some of these duties include:

• Help a child go to the bathroom*
• Potty training a child**
• Changing diapers or pull-ups*
• Supporting a child’s individualized health-care plan
• Complete tasks that a nurse or paraprofessional would typically do
• Lift a child above 50 pounds
• Physically restrain a child during a tantrum or fight
• Clean injuries or wounds
• Change feeding tubes, catheters, colostomy bags, etc.
• Handle diabetic equipment

*This does not apply to schools that are also licensed daycares

**Many states have strict laws on children being potty-trained before attending school, while others, such as New York, do not have this requirement.

If you don’t have the proper training to handle children with special needs, you should not attempt to perform the above tasks. If your supervisor demands that you perform these tasks, you should speak with your union representative (if applicable) or a local employment lawyer.

How To Protect Your Rights as an Educator or Paraprofessional

Whether you teach at a high school, middle school, or elementary school, you must stand up for yourself and protect your rights as an educator. If you work for a public school, federal laws protect you as an employee.

This can be easier said than done. It helps to know the steps you can take to protect your rights.  If you encounter pushback from your principal, assistant principal, or school district, contact a local employment attorney or a teachers’ union rep.

Know Your Job Description

If a school hires you to perform specific job duties and clearly explains them, you must perform those duties or risk repercussions. If these responsibilities change, your employer must notify you in advance. They must also account for any disabilities or medical needs you have when implementing the changes.

Identify Responsibilities That Are Outside of Your Job Description

Review your job description and employee handbook carefully for specifics on your role. You should also ensure that you meet the licensure requirements to perform the tasks in your job description.

If you feel your supervisor demands that you perform duties outside your job description throughout the working day, document it. You’ll want a written record of this if you file a complaint or grievance against the school board.

You should also explain to your team that you are neither the primary nor backup provider for childcare duties if they are not in your job description. Emphasize that your job description only requires you to perform your duties during school hours.

The school cannot demand that you spend time “off the clock” performing job duties for which you are not compensated, are not in your contract, or were not part of your job description. It’s common practice to include a provision in a contract requiring teachers to work beyond the school day. This type of “after hours” work is expected for teachers in many districts because they are salaried exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This means they may be expected to perform duties like grading, lesson planning, and communications outside of classroom hours.

Contacting Your District, Association, or Union

If you work in a public school and have contractual issues, you should contact someone at the local school district. If you belong to a union, contact your local branch to inform them of the situation.

You can also contact a local educational agency to see what resources they have available. They may have additional information on how to file a complaint against a school district, charter school, or private academy.

Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

There are times when you have no choice but to work outside regular school hours. Your lesson plans aren’t going to create themselves, and a full day of teaching doesn’t offer much down time to wok on them. The same may be true for updating student records with test scores, homework assignments, etc.

Most teachers feel that it’s their job to ensure the well-being of their students, at least during the school year. While this is admirable, educators are not responsible for what happens to students outside their classroom. There are exceptions to this rule, such as when a teacher suspects a student is suffering child abuse at home.

Speaking to Your Human Resources Department

If you’re still having issues, talk to your employer’s HR department about your situation. The school hired you to do a job and shouldn’t expect you to perform duties outside your job description. It is unfair for your school administrators to take advantage of you or require you to perform tasks not part of your job duties.

Disclaimer: State laws change frequently, due to new legislation, higher court rulings, etc. While FindLaw strives to provide readers with the most current information, you should contact a local education attorney to confirm your state laws.

Get an Attorney To Protect Your Employee Rights

If you discover that your superiors are asking you to perform tasks outside your role, you should speak to an attorney with experience in education law and educator’s rights. This is especially important if your employer is demanding that you perform tasks that involve providing medical treatment to students.

Your safety and the safety of your students are the most important things to protect. By asking you to perform duties outside of your expertise, the school and the school board members are putting your students’ lives and well-being at risk. Contact an employment attorney if you feel unsafe or that you’re being taken advantage of. Most attorneys offer a  free initial consultation.

Related FindLaw Resources

• Employment Law Frequently Asked Questions
• 6 Steps to Finding a Professional Mentor
• Teachers’ Rights
• Legal Responsibility of Teachers to Report Child Abuse