Dress like a Teacher- Wear professional looking clothes that are easy to move around in. You may have to do a lot of squatting, bending and even hustling around. Pockets are also good for carrying important things like your classroom key. Never wear jeans.
Show up early- Try to get there at least 5 or so minutes earlier than required. Many schools have you show up right before the students arrive but you will need time to read through the lesson plans and find the materials needed for the lessons. Another important thing you can do is find the emergency/fire exit plan and make sure you know what you should be doing in case of a drill. If you are only working an afternoon come in early so you can ask the teacher any questions before they leave.
Write your name on the board- The Students will forget it and call you teacher or hey you.
Greet the students- Try to learn names if possible and keep the attendance on hand. I like to bring sticker labels to make name tags for elementary.
Follow the plans- Aside from keeping the children safe, this is the main task of a substitute teacher. Try to stay on task the whole day and cover what you can. Try to follow plans exactly how they are written and don't skip to other things unless you know for sure it is okay. If a lesson has many steps, write it on the board so the students can follow and you can remember.
I like to read the plans to the students at the beginning of class so they know just what is expected and don't ask me a million questions about the day.
If the plans don't say what to do with finished papers, keep them and let the teacher let them take them home when they want. Many times, especially in lower grades; teachers will leave extra things to do so don't panic if you don't cover everything. (If for some reason there is no plans, call the office or ask another teacher nearby who may know what you are doing. Sometimes the teachers don't know they will be out and have to email the plans to the school. You can also keep extra plans in your bag if needed or find out what was covered the day before a have a review day but always ask first.)
Don't believe everything the kids say- They can be awful little liars. If there is something you really need to know about ask another teacher or call the office- sometimes threatening that can just work.
Find the students that will help- This is usually easier to pick out in the younger grades and some teachers will actually tell you in the plans who the tougher kids are and who to let help you. With older kids ask the whole class. Most of the time the majority will go along with something that is untrue but there is usually someone who will give in.
Be fun- No one wants a mean substitute so as long as you are still getting through what the teacher wants and following the rules, its okay to have a little fun and be lenient. Tell them they can talk and use cell phones if they get through what they need to before the bell rings or play Simon Says with the extra time you have waiting for art. Let them ask you questions (Is that your real hair color? How old are you? How do you feel about Miley Cyrus?). Joke around with them, be careful using sarcasm in the younger grades though, some of them haven't got it yet.
Be professional- Just because you are having fun doesn't mean you can be inappropriate. Use language you would if the principal was standing in the room and don't allow the students to talk about inappropriate things either.
Be Flexible- The teacher may have forgotten there was a assembly that day or the school may need you to switch from one class to the next for testing. Just go with the flow and try to make things as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
Write down everything- Tell the teacher both the good and bad of the day. Make sure they know about every note that comes in, every student that leaves early and every problem a kid may have. Also tell them what you accomplished or did not get to, if there is something you didn't understand in the plans you should tell them that too. I write my notes right on the plans that are left for me it's easy, simple and the teachers can follow right along with our day. You are better off giving them all the information they might need, even if they don't need it; then not giving them enough, when they do need it.
Leave your information- Some substitutes leave business cards on teachers desk or write thank you notes. These are nice touches but not necessary. I just end my notes with a nice little summary of how the kids were, a thank you and my information (name, number, email) in case they need to contact me.
Before I start teaching as a sub I always go over some quick expectations with the students as a reminder.
-Don't ask to do things you know your teacher wouldn't let you do.
-Do things the way you normally would if your regular teacher was here.
Things will be different
-I can't/don't do things the same as your teacher.
-I follow the rules and procedures your teacher left me.
Help me, don't yell at me
-If I am doing something different or wrong, raise your hand and politely explain.
-If you don't know exactly where something is, don't go through the teachers stuff to find it.
I also give this Warning: Your teacher will find out everything, good and bad. Even if you get away with it today you will regret it tomorrow. If you are good I will tell your teacher how great you are and how much I want to come back next time she needs a sub.
Know any tips you think I should add? Have any great subbing stories? Please Share!
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