by Marlene Gundlach

Created on: August 23, 2008

Schools need good substitutes to keep continuity while teachers are away from their classrooms. When you are hired to sub in a particular district, do as much homework as you can about the schools where you will be subbing. Have maps saved of their locations and a list on your computer of start times as well as dismissal times. This will make your morning start out on a good note when you get that late call for a sub job. You will not have to bother the secretary on the phone by asking questions about location and times; she is likely also very pressed for time and the more prepared you are the greater the chances you will get called back in the future.

Once in the school, introduce yourself to the teachers that are in close proximity to your room and any of the secretaries in the main office.. Don't take up too much of their time as they are likely busy preparing for the day, but a quick introduction will be beneficial should you have to ask for help later in the day. Plus, when you get to know other teachers, they will be more likely to request you as a sub in the future. Find out where the teacher's lounge is and maybe even staff restrooms.

The first thing you need to do when you enter the classroom is find the lesson plans and the sub folder. If the teacher maintains a sub folder, it will likely contain important information on school policies, discipline, and health information on your students. There will also be policy on how to handle emergencies and events like fire drills. When you read over the lesson plans, be sure you know where all of the materials are and familiarize yourself with the content being presented. When the class arrives, you want to be calm and prepared. If they come in and sense you are unorganized or unsure of what you are doing, you day could go downhill fast.

Be sure to follow the lesson plans as they are laid out. Take notes as you go through your day so that the teacher knows what was covered and what material you did not get to. The teacher wants to return the next day and know where you left off, so that she can in turn plan her day. If there were any discipline issues, be sure to leave a note about this as well. Always be prepared with some filler material as well. Look around the room for a book that you can read during some down time or keep a few tried and true games in your back pocket to pull out when needed. Preparation is the key, and the more you sub the more comfortable you will become. I try and think back to when I taught full-time and put myself in the shoes of the classroom teacher. When she comes back, what will she expect to see and what does she need to know. This always puts me in the right frame of mind and makes the day a success.

I sub regularly in one particular school and I have spoken with teachers about subs that do not work out in their classroom, and the two biggest complaints are subs not following lesson plans and not being truthful about any discipline issues. Many subs feel that if they report a discipline problem that this poorly reflects on their classroom management abilities. Even the best teachers have discipline problems with their class, so don't be afraid to accurately share this information.

Subbing is a rewarding experience and is a great way to be involved in the field of education. If you are trying to enter the field, it is an important step to building your resume and a way to get your name out into the schools. For those of us who taught in the past, it is a wonderful opportunity to stay connected with teaching and connect with the children in the community.

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