What is the best advice you could give a new substitute teacher?

Answer 1

Um...run away?

Seriously, as someone said, don't take things personally. The kids will do what they can to get under your skin.

Don't tell them anything personal about you, even if they ask, at least nothing true.

Be firm in your requests, don't take any of the 'But so-and-so usually says it's OK...' Just tell them that so-and-so can allow them to do it as soon as they come back, but for that day, you are the one in charge and are not going to allow it to happen.

So many substitute's are abused, and they let the kids tell them what is expected in the classroom. Assume it's your classroom if there aren't instructions left for you on what is and isn't allowed, and think of the five rules you would expect to be obeyed under those circumstances.

Good luck.

Answer 2

As a teacher I truly appreciate the good substitute teachers who will follow the lesson plans, but can also be flexible and go with the flow. Although I always try to leave extensive lesson plans, there are often situations that could not be foreseen. A tantrum, a sick child, squabbles, an assembly.

What is a good sub? Someone who takes charge and has excellent control over the classroom by immediately establishing rules and consequences; who knows that students will try anything they would not normally get away with; who is consistent and fair; who retains the structure that the teacher set up and follows the lesson plans; who is actively engaged with the students; who is poised and calm and does not become angry or frustrated.

I have had my share of bad subs, too. A bad sub lets kids run the classroom; he sits behind the desk and reads the paper while the kids are supposed to do their work; he is oblivious to the chaos; he considers it babysitting; he loses control and yells; he pops in a video and calls it teaching.

You get the picture. I have a list next to my phone with the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good ones always get called back for more jobs. Teachers pass their names on to other teachers. They are treasured like gold. Come to think of it, the names of the bad ones are passed along, too, with a red flag warning.

Get a classroom discipline book. They have them in teacher stores. They even have them for subs. Read it, study it, memorize it. Good luck!!

Answer 3

I am a substitute also. When the teacher leaves no lesson plan, talk technology for the students, they can all relate. Check out FreeSchoolHelp.com.

Talk technology available to them, and how to use it. That is what I talk about, tech in the future, tech in the classroom, what they can now do with it, how they can do it, how they can use the resources out there and how it is growing everyday.

This is something that is always relevent and something students of all ages are always interested in, and always changing a bit so its easy to have a discussion about, write about, think about, etc., etc. Really a great filler, when a filler is needed and a super good website!

Answer 4

1. Follow the guidelines left by the teacher.
2. Leave specific notes about anything that happens. Make sure to mention what happened, who was involved, and what (if anything) you did. This should be more than just discipline problems. Write notes if you encountered problems following the teacher's guidelines, etc.
3. Remember, a good teacher can be friendly and the students' friend, but should never be their pal.

Good luck

Answer 5

After looking over the plans of the 'real' teacher, (hopefully the person left some!!), give the lesson some deep thought. ou need to have enough plan for one half hour LONGEr than the class time. That way, you can chop and change.

Have a totally unrelated game of some kind (while all are seated) under your belt, for emergency use only.

Answer 6

Hope for the best, but expect the worst. Pray, hope, and wish that the students will respect you and won't walk all over you. Make sure they know who you are and you're not a force to be messed with. They're not suppose to like you and be all friendly with you. We're kids! Teenagers, including me, don't like school, especially one that involves using our brains.

Answer 7

I'll repeat what others have said: Don't take things personally.

It took me a long time to realize that when students were disrespectful to me that it wasn't to me as a person, they were reacting to "The Teacher". I just happened to be the person in the classroom who had that role.

Answer 8

DON'T ACT LIKE YOUR REPLACING THE TEACHER. I am in highschool and it ticks me off when a teacher comes in and starts acting like they own the classroom. You Don't. Be nice, but firm and don't stray from the directions the teacher left you. It's their class, let them decide how its taught.

Answer 9

Three rules for the students: 1) Stay in your seat. 2) Stay in your seat. 3) Stay in your seat. Don't give any restroom passes. Bring your own Kleenex and hand sanitizer. Don't take things personally.

Answer 10

Expect the unexpected. Subtitutes get abused. But as long as you expect it you should be ok. Just like prison scenario......look to go in there and kill someone the first day to get respect. Anyone messing around.....send em to the office right away.