What advice can you give a long term teacher?

Question

Today I got a call from my district office and I was offered a long term substitute positon at a charter high school. I will be teaching ninth grade algebra and geometry.
Last year I had a bad experience with a long term for seventh and eighth grade science.

I think this will be better since I'm starting the school year and these kids actually want to be there.

What would you suggest? Any tips from any teachers or long term substitutes.

Answer 1

I was a long term sub, myself in an urban high school setting. Here are my Top Ten pointers, in no particular order.

1. Give a quiz every thursday. Every single thursday. no exceptions, no excuses. This establishes a routine, a pattern, clear expectations, etc. And it also makes the kids take your teaching more seriously. It also helps you when you plan - you become accountable for covering a discreet amount of material each week.

2. Establish clear routines. Then teach them. These routines include policies for taking attendance, starting class, managing tardiness, using the bathroom/fountain, collecting & distributing papers, administering consequences for poor behavior, etc.

As for instructional delivery - also have a clear routine that the kids can get on board with immediately. When I taught, I began a new topic on Fridays (assigned simple homework on Fri that was due on Tues, that way kids had 4 nights to do it and could ask me any questions about it on Mon and still have it done perfectly for collection on Tues. ) On Monday in class I re-taught and expanded upon Friday's concept. Tuesdays, the kids did independent or group practice activities applying the concept to real-life scenarios. I also assigned HW due Thursday. On Wednesday, I set up 4 stations in the room that the kids rotated through (10min each) which gave review, practice, extension and enrichment activities. I stayed after school on Wed to help with HW and to do a review session for the next day's quiz. Thursday was the quiz. Afterwards, a game.

3. Assign a project that yields displayable results early on. Posters, diorama, 3-D models, etc. Be explicit in your expectations for how beautiful these projects should be. Then display these in the classroom and hallway (if possible). This makes the classroom more of "your own". The room looks less like it did with the old teacher and more you-like. It may send a subtle message that your classes are engaging in meaningful work with tangible results. It also is impressive to principals and will show the reg teacher that work was accomplished in her absence.

4. Write out a list of classroom policies. Keep them few, clear and positive (avoid the word 'No' as in 'No spitting'). Let your dept head offer advice and revision before you discuss these with the kids. Also, ask the kids other teachers for their policies so that you can be in-line with the overall school culture. Distribute these on the first Monday that you work with a class. It is a great way to start your first week together. Go over your policies and teach them as you would a lesson. Make sure the kids all understand your expectations for them. On Thursday's quiz as 2 or 3 questions about the rules/policies. Also be specific about your role as an interim teacher (avoid the word "sub" at all costs). For example, I told my students that I would be available every Wed after school, I gave them my email and said I would check it once a day, I let them know that quizzes and homeworks assignments would be returned within 2 school days and that they were welcome to look at their scores in my gradebook and request a progress report at any time.

4. Send a letter to the parents introducing yourself. [Let your dept head read this and offer revisions BEFORE you send it] State your goals for the class, your expectations for work and behavior, your availability outside of class. Explain to parents about the weekly quizzes on Thursdays and your homework policy. Tell parents you will call home to alert the parents to any excellent or unsatisfactory work or behavior. Provide the school number (not home phone) as a contact for you. Follow through by calling home whenever a child receives an A or an F on a weekly quiz. Also call home if a child improves more than 20pts over their prior week's score. After your first month, send all parents a progress report. Let your dept head know your plans to do this and give her the option to read the reports before you send them out.

5. If possible, work with other teachers to develop lessons and to pace yourself. Or ask them for their plans and follow them rather than creating your own lessons from scratch. There will be so much to do, writing original lesson plans every day is unnecessary at first, and may waste energy that could be used better elsewhere.

6. Make appointments to observe other teachers in your dept during your free period.

7. Also observe your kids in their other classes during your free period. Seeing how kids behave with their other teachers is eye-opening and will help you develop better management and instructional strategies tailored to their needs.

8. The kids (and their parents) will feel like your teaching is more "official" if you follow the book rather than teach from self-created materials, especially. at first. So will the principal and the department.

9. Make an effort to fit in with the other teachers at your grade level and not just go your own merry way. Eat lunch with your new department. Be humble and respectful (like a son-in-law trying to fit into a new family) and try to get on board with your new department, although you cannot expect them to drop everything and help you out. Do not suggest changes or new ideas unless asked.

10. Attend sports events, school plays, etc. Find out what clubs/activities/teams your students are involved in and support them. Allow the faculty, students and parents to see you are part of the overall school community and not just a fly-by-night temp. If you want them to invest in you and your teaching, really be a part of the school community.

Good luck!

Answer 2

There is a difference between 7th and 8th grades and 9th. In the lower levels they are very immature and the hormones are going crazy. I have never wanted to long term substitute, I have always been an associate faculity.

Answer 3

Good Luck to you.. Its hard to teach these kids.. takes alot of work on your part..but just try to connect with them. if you have to come down to there level to connect..and most importantly remember if you can teach just one child you have done the world a favor..my favorit teacher in school every kid made fun of laughed at ..acted up in school.. but you know that is the teacher that taught me the most. to this day i have alot of respect for her and am very thankful for all she has done for me.. shes still teaching and im just hoping my kids get to be taught by her before she retires.........

Answer 4

Well, lets see, is it a different school? That might help a lot.

Beginning of the year, different subject and different kids. All of the above should create a different experence.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

PRAY! Be firm and just do all you can to teach these kids! It is a very hard job! My hats off to YOU! GOD BLESS you with a fun and prosperous year!