April 2025
Empowering Substitute Teachers
The Substitute Teacher Newsletter is an online resource for Substitute Teachers and those thinking about substituting. It offers insights, tips, and tools to help Substitutes thrive in the classroom.
Substitute Teaching is Exciting!
Walking into a different classroom each day can be a bit challenging! Different lesson plans (or none at all), varying subject matter, and working with students at different developmental stages can be daunting. It can be hard just to figure out how the classroom computer, projector, T.V., or camera work. Yet, each day we serve as a Substitute Teachers can be an opportunity for joyful interaction with our scholars and on the job enhanced growth.
First Things First - Attendance - Lunch Count
On-line vs. Phone & Paper
Many schools today record attendance on the Power school or other computer apps. during first period and or all periods. Elementary schools often have subs call in or send a messenger to the office with their lunch count and absences during the first 15 minutes or so of school. Many if not most elementary teachers have their students give them the lunch count. Taking accurate attendance is very important so getting it right the first time is a best practice. When students don't return to class after assemblies or special functions I will call roll before dismissing class. When one of my secondary school scholars tries to visit the rest room with their backpack, purse, and all their other personal items it makes me wonder if they are planning a run to Starbucks or a simple trip to the restroom.
In the Know
Most schools provide us with Substitute Report forms that allow Subs to record information concerning how the day went: assignments, students' behavior, and any other information they teachers may need to know. Teachers especially want to know if their students were on task, polite, and helpful toward their substitute teacher. By completing these forms we can help the next substitute teacher.
Getting Their Attention
One of the first things that a substitue teacher will want to ask his or her students is how their teacher gets the students' attention. Teachers use bells, whistles, counting down (my favorite,) chimes, verbal cues, flashing lights, and other methods to get the students to quiet down and pay attention. I have had helpful students tell me what to do to get everyone on task when the class gets "chatty."
Brief Stuff
When calls or written notifications come from the office for a student to leave the classroom speak privately with the student being summoned. Privacy is important.
Elementary school students have been known to cry, pout, and shut down over things that might not have anything to do with class. Sometimes a comforting listening adult can get the train rolling again.
You will make mistakes. You may forget to send Jill to ELD or to do hallway duty at lunch. It happens.
Seating charts save time and energy; if they are kept up.
Only book grade levels with which you are comfortable. Some subs only "do" primary school classes other only accept high school assignments.
If you substitute long enough withing the same school district you will get to see students mature in ways
that classroom teachers often miss.
Corny is Funny- I told a chemistry joke once; it got no reaction.
If you find this Newsletter helpful please drop
me a note along with anything you would like to share
on this page. Many, many thanks.
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Copyright March 29 2025 G. Davis
.
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E-mail: rev.ged@verizon.net
Address: 952 East Ada Ave., Glendora, 91741, CA, United States
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