Incarnate Word Academy Faculty Benefits

Teacher Responsibilities and Duties

A teacher who contracts to work at Incarnate Word Academy agrees:

• To become familiar with the philosophy and objectives of the school so that he/she might be an integral part of the organization and so that he/she will give full and loyal support to the school administration and its policies
  
• To strive to become a more competent teacher and to further his/her professional growth, as well as to maintain the school's accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department
  
• To aid in the formation of a Christian character in his/her students
  
• To make himself/herself available to comply with the time and teaching schedule set by the administration, to teach those subject periods which are assigned by the employer, to supervise whatever class periods are assigned, and to fulfill whatever other assignments are deemed necessary by the school's administration.
  
• To attend all meetings of the faculty and to complete accurately and punctually all required record keeping and data reporting
  
• To implement the school rules and directives whether one agrees with them or not
  
• To supervise the safety and learning of students.
  
• To uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church

Procedures for Employment

Incarnate Word Academy hires teachers who have the required credentials.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for a teaching position at Incarnate Word, a candidate must have the following:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  certification or 12 credit hours in education (or a concerted effort toward)
  
• A commitment to uphold the mission and philosophy of the school and to support Catholic teachings
  
• A willingness to work with administrators, parents, staff members and students and to be an active member of the school community
  
• A commitment to the "Code of Ethics" for Creating and Maintaining a Safe Environment (Diocese of Corpus Christi)
  

The principal may waive the above requirements for a reasonable period of time, with the endorsement of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, in the case of a new teacher who is working towards compliance.

APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCEDURES

Prior to employment, each prospective teacher will provide the principal with the following:

• A completed application form and resume
  
• Official college transcripts
  
• Service records from prior employer, when available
  
• Three letters of reference, including a character reference
  
• Upon acceptance of employment each prospective teacher will complete the following:
  
• Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)
  
• Results of TB testing
  
• Federal Tax W-4 Form
  
• Signed Smoke Free and Alcohol/Drug Free Workplace Policies
  
• Criminal History Record Release
  

Each new teacher will be given:

• A basic orientation on the school's mission, philosophy and history
  
• A copy of the Faculty Handbook

CONTRACTS

• Contracts are signed for one academic year as specified on the contract.
  
• Contracts are not automatically renewed. Teachers whose contracts will be renewed will be notified in May.
  
• The first year is probationary for a teacher at Incarnate Word Academy.
  
• Contracts go into effect when all documents have been submitted and the contract is signed by the campus president.

Keeping Records Current

Employment records are to be kept up-to-date.

The principal's office should be notified when there are changes in any of the following:

• Name
  
• Address
  
• Home telephone number
  
• Marital status
  
• Phone number where the employee can be reached in case of emergency
  
• Name(s) and phone number(s) of next of kin or person(s) who can be reached in case of emergency
  
• Number of dependents
  
• Educational credentials
  
• Professional growth and in-service
  

At the time of termination, service and in-service records, and any other pertinent documentation will be made available to the professional employee.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Incarnate Word Academy hires and retains employees on the basis of their qualifications and work performance, without regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin or a disability unrelated to the job in question.

Practicing Catholics are preferred; non-Catholic teachers are required to have knowledge about and support of the goals of Catholic tradition in education.

Salaries and Benefits

SALARY
Salaries are based on years of experience and educational degree.

Faculty members are paid on the 16th day of each month for twelve months.

Retirement
Incarnate Word Academy provides an SEP-IRA account for any employee who is at least 21 years old and has worked at IWA for at least three (3) of the immediately preceding the last five (5) calendar years.

Under the SEP, the employer is permitted to contribute a certain amount to an employee's Individual Retirement Account after the fourth year to the banking institution of his/her choice.

The employer agrees that annual contributions made on behalf of each eligible employee will:

• Be made in an amount that is the same percentage of total compensation for every employee
  
• Be made only on the first $100,000.00 of compensation
  
• Be limited to the smaller of 15% of compensation of $7,500.00
  
• Be paid to the employee's IRA trustee, custodian, or insurance company
  

INSURANCE
Incarnate Word Academy agrees to provide an annual payment toward a portion of the health insurance premium for full-time faculty members who choose a plan(s) provided by the school.

SOCIAL SECURITY
Deductions for Social Security are made according to the current rate.

WITHHOLDING
Deductions for withholding are made according to the indications of the employee on the Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (Form W-4).

WORKERS COMPENSATION
In accordance with Texas Law, Incarnate Word Academy provides insurance coverage for on- the-job injury.  All employees of the school come under the provision of the Workers Compensation Insurance Program.  All employees are required to report job related injuries to the school principal/supervisor immediately after the occurrence, if at all possible.   All premiums are paid by Incarnate Word Academy.