Equip Your Substitute for a Successful Day: Pointers and Techniques for Educators

I’ve shared various advice directly with substitutes, but I believe teachers can play a significant role in setting substitutes up for success. Therefore, here’s what I appreciate as a substitute teacher:

There are several strategies teachers can implement to ensure substitutes are well-prepared for success. Consider these seven recommendations:

1. Provide Seating Charts: I find it incredibly helpful when teachers leave a seating chart. Nowadays, many online platforms allow you to create these with images, which adds to their usefulness. This aids me in identifying students and contributes to a smoother class dynamic.
2. Detailed Lesson Plans: Please ensure the lesson plans are detailed. If the students are continuing from the previous day, kindly provide explicit directions, including due dates. Additionally, having assignments for early finishers is valuable.
3. Assignments with Accountability: Stressing this point is crucial. Assign something that MUST be turned in, and be sure to assign appropriate credit. When students feel they can submit work later, it can lead to disruptions during the class, making management more challenging.
4. Ample Workload: This relates to the previous point. Provide enough work to eliminate any downtime. This allows me to collect completed work and instruct students to finish the rest at home, or I can collect all assignments, noting who managed their time well. In case of early finishers, I also have ready-to-print English-themed crossword puzzles, which serve as engaging activities.
5. Technology Access Codes: Depending on your school’s setup, technology access codes might be necessary. If substitutes don’t have their own codes, please ensure you leave one. Even if I don’t intend to use technology, having access to it can be a quick solution in case of unforeseen circumstances.
6. Relevant Information: Provide information about specific allowances. Can students use particular devices? Are hats permitted? Can they take a break if stressed? Knowing these details prevents awkward situations. Also, knowing whom to approach for assistance, whether students or staff, and any insights about managing certain students, can be immensely valuable.
7. Maintain High Standards: Set high expectations for your students, along with clear consequences. Especially at the start of the school year, enforcing consequences for negative behavior during substitute periods can establish a serious tone. Recognizing and rewarding good behavior is equally beneficial.

By implementing these practices, you not only facilitate the substitute’s task but also contribute to a more productive and effective classroom environment.