Archive for the ‘Substitute Teacher Tips’ Category
Substitute Teacher Business Cards
Last year, I had great response from both principals, secretaries and teachers when I left my contact information. I typically would leave a follow-up letter with my email and cell phone number in the classroom for teachers. For the person responsible for lining up substitute teachers they regularly received my updated availability via email or a short note at the end of the day.
This year I am ordering business cards from VistaPrint. They have a line of free business cards that are on excellent quality card stock and in color. I have been using them for year for my other endeavours. I picked a professional but relaxed style of card to input the following information:
My Name
Substitute Teacher
Qualifications:
- B.S. English Writing
- Americorps Worker 2002
- Substituting since 2001
Cellphone
Writing Workshops Available
Every business card is slightly different and your fields may vary. I like the idea of including some of my qualifications. I also gave thought to including my strongest subjects. I am developing writing workshops, nature journalling, poetry and other visiting writer lesson plans, so I included this on the bottom of the card.
If you have been using a business card as a substitute teacher feel free to comment below and give a link to your example(s).
12 Tips for Substitute Teachers
1. Self promote—ask a principal if it is okay to leave a business card with teachers and let him/her know of your grade levels and specialties. Call schools when you have not heard from them, or let them know you have open dates of availability.
2. Know school locations, hours of arrival and departure, and the school secretary’s name.
3. Set alarm the night before so you are prepared for your earliest school start: lay clothes out. Have lunch packed. Even if the phone has awakened you, ask what you subject you will be teaching so you do not show up in a skirt if subbing phys-ed.
4. Keep a sub-folder with district school calendars, your day planner, timesheets and business cards.
5. Arrive early, approximately 15 minutes before scheduled time (20-30 minutes before student arrival). Locate your room. Bathrooms. Teacher’s Lounge. Introduce yourself to the teacher(s) next door. Read lessons plans.
6. Put your name on the board and/or where a name tag. If new to a class or group of students share a little about whom you are.
7. Write assignments on board by period in advance of the days start. If subbing in a school where students switch rooms often, post on door what is needed for your class that day/period: pencil, rough-draft, text book, and notes.
8. Alternate Assignments or Fun-time fillers can help ease time not filled by lesson plans. Try puzzles, coloring sheets, eye-openers, free-write prompts that help you get acquainted (appropriate to age). Bring a book to read aloud.
9. Don’t isolate! Visit teacher’s lounge or ask teacher next door where people gather for lunch or prep periods. Ask about major projects going on many schools use a team-teaching approach.
10. Wrap it up by leaving notes on attendance, classroom participation and how the lesson plan(s) went. Note the helpful students and detail disciplinary problems. Thank the teacher for sharing her classroom and students and leave a number that you can be reached at in case the teacher has questions.
11. Pick-up room. If in a classroom where students change on an hourly basis pick-up after each hour. Place assignments found on floor on chalkboard ledge with an arrow pointing to it saying found during 2nd period. Straighten desk rows slide in chairs; erase board unless something needs to be left for the teacher to see. Pick up pencils and pens left behind.
12. On departure, say goodbye to the secretary and/or principal. Tell them how you enjoyed your day and something positive about the school or students. Let them know your availability (have day planner ready).
Originally published at The Dailies on November 12, 2007
How to Help a Substitute Feel Welcome in Your School
My favorite schools help me feel like a professional. They are welcoming schools that provide me with tools and knowledge. A good school fosters your success.
- It is useful to have a folder with disciplinary forms, lockdown and drill procedures, phone numbers, extensions and dialing instructions to offices.
- Name badges, or a badge that identifies you as a substitute teacher or aide allow other staff to greet you and offer guidance and support.
- Having the principal, vice principal or other designated administrator stop in shows students they are expected to respect, and lets the substitute know they are in a supportive environment.
- Inform your substitute teachers who does the scheduling and how to update availability, and if an emergency arrives how they can call-in.
- Greeting the substitute in halls is friendly and sets a tone. Unfortunately, I have been in schools where I walk down the school and no one looks me in the eye.
- Provide substitutes with your school calendar. This allows subs to prepare for vacation times or attend school concerts and sporting events.
- Let substitutes know where job postings for the district are posted.
- Where is the lounge? Where can I put my lunch? Is there a coffee pot?
- What do you expect of substitutes during prep hours?
- Is there a staff bathroom near the classroom? Do we get a break? In a grade school that I frequent I get two breaks and a lunch. I love my days there as I pace myself and get a breather.
- If you are the teacher leaving notes, please let us know what disciplinary tools you use in the classroom and the time students shift subjects, rooms or go to specials.
- When leaving notes let us know which staff we can turn to in a pinch, and ask them to pop their head in during the course of the day.
Originally published at The Dailies February 4, 2008
Classroom Misbehavior and the Substitute Teacher
A good substitute teacher loves kids and has an easy-going nature. You can take a joke. You have the patience of a saint. But you still have to have your voice at the end of the day so here are some tips to keep the classroom orderly. Don’t talk over the noise. Don’t let them walk all over you. You are still in the classroom to teach. I know often times it feels like you are simply “putting out fires” everywhere you turn. But the school district and teacher have invited you into the classroom for the day–it is a privilege you must honor. At the end of the day thank the kids, let them know what worked for you and perhaps what did not–you may be back.
1. Set Expectations at the beginning of class.
2. Allow students to ask 10 questions in an interview process. Only answer questions by students who raise their hands (give praise). How you handle the interview will let students know a bit about your teaching style without them thinking your laying out the law.
3. If you had time to meet with the teacher ask about classroom rules and consequences. You can also look for the class rules to be posted in the room. You can point to the rules and review them if necessary.
4. Classroom transitions are difficult especially in a K-7 classroom to regain classroom attention you can turn lights low, clap hands, ring a bell or wind-chimes, hold up the universal quiet sign a raised palm or peace symbol.
5. Write the days schedule on board with times (if you can) and erase as you go, or ask the student who cannot sit still to erase for you.
6. Offer a stretch break.
7. Circulate through the room to keep student attention on you. Touch desks as you go by. Point to the page or flip a student page if necessary. Never sit behind your teacher desk.
8. Most students respond to a count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. And will automatically self-correct and encourage the rest of the class.
9. Stay Positive! Use praise. I see “Johnny” is raising his hand. I notice “Sally” is on the right page. List the helpful students on the board so they know you reward good behaviour.
10. Reward=Recess or Reward=Snack. You can tell students they are working toward a goal. As students are helpful and responsive you put the letters to the following words up 1-by-1 on the board. Make sure it fits with the class plan for the day and is in line with school rules. Make sure the snack you offer has no peanut products due to kids with allergies.
11. If you are a long-term substitute consider arranging your classroom in a horseshoe or “U” set-up that allows for easy motion and maximum attention of students. Include a silent study area in a screened area of the room for the students who need extra quiet, change of scene, or to make-up tests.
12. Always identify those who cannot sit still, they may be trying so hard they are under their desks or twisted in knots. Find tasks for them to get them up and moving. They will become fast friends and allies to you.
Originally published at The Dailies on January 15, 2008
