If you're looking for substitute teacher inspiration, look no further! Whether you're a seasoned butt or a complete newbie, we've got you covered with these 55 tips, tricks, and insights of our own.HELPLINE WeAreTeachers!and over the internet.
1. Start with a positive attitude
"I only ask three things of my substitute teachers: have fun with my kids, respect them, and be firm with them."-Kay D.
2. Follow the plans
"Follow the professor's plans closely... you spent time, energy and effort to abandon those plans for a reason." —Terri Y.
Source:WifeTeacherMother
3. Board early
"Go a little early! Let them know it's your first day and you're happy to be there! Say, "Any first day advice or guidance?" Introduce yourself to the teachers in adjacent classrooms and tell same thing." —arena m
4. Keep some time padding in your back pocket
Source:responsive classroom
TO PERCEIVE
However, if you've completed those plans and the kids are getting nervous, here they are.24 great ideasto ensure your students are engaged and learning, even when you only have a few minutes.
5. Make the last few minutes memorable
Need more substitute teacher ideas to fill the time? These are perfect fora few awkward minutesjust before the doorbell rings.
6. Try a fun math activity
Try one of these quick popsicle math fillersThe Substitute Teacher's Journey.
7. Make sure you are present
"Be there after the kids start working so they have time to get things done." —Terri Y.
8. Stick to the task and leave a record
"Follow the lesson plans as much as possible, leave detailed notes for the teacher about what was done and what wasn't done, which students did great and which didn't, and leave your number if you really enjoyed the class." —sunrise w
9. Stay professional
“Be nice in the staff room when you eat there. Never say anything negative about the school, the teachers or the students.” —Dona N.
10. Dress in layers
"Some rooms are freezing cold and some are hotter than hell!" —editEU.
11. Put a film
We collect thoseThe best educational series on Netflixto draw in Stay G-rated!
12. Don't be afraid to be picky.
"I have a list of teachers I don't replace because no matter what happens, they always seem to have 'that' class. In other words, the behavior is not very well managed, which means replacing them is a nightmare." —Eric D.
13. Bring your own supply of comfort items
"Three essentials I always carried with me as a substitute teacher were hand lotion, Dove chocolates (for me!) and tea bags. In a way, knowing I had these things with me helped me feel more comfortable that day."–Shayla K.
14. Manage the classroom
Substitute teachers should also conduct classes. We love these classroom management tips, especially for substitutes, fromthe sharp stone.
15. Bring a teacher bag with your favorite essentials.
Bring a backpack or purse just in case. Check these suggestionsstock something. And take a look at our list offavorite teacher bagsto store everything you need!
16. Create a mobile desktop
"I have a mobile 'desk.' I carry extra paper, pencils, sticky notes, clipboards, pens, pencils, band-aids, Tylenol... anything I need because I don't like to walk into a teacher's desk if I do not know him." —jennifer g
17. Act with confidence
"Even if you don't feel it. 'Pretend till it works!'" -Ask me.
18. Find a student ambassador
"Find a trusted student to help you find or explain specific procedures." —Birke r
19. Read books about substitute teachers with students.
We loveThe Berenstain Bears and the Substitute TeacherjDona Nelson is missing!
20. Be honest
“If I didn't understand math class (eg second grade), I would just teach them something math related. I can ask them to hold rulers and count in twos or fives, measure objects in the room, etc. plans and what I didn't understand and improvised. Sometimes teachers know what and how to teach, but it is difficult to explain on paper. Never has a teacher told me that I should have thought about math class instead of teaching math my way." —Hanna T
21. Listen to a reading
Today you can find the largest selection of text reading programs on YouTube. We haveWe've rounded up our favorites here..
22. More flexible
"No matter how organized the teacher is, and even if they leave you with amazing plans, be flexible because sometimes things just don't work out." —karen m.
23. Remind kids to be flexible too
“Children are often uncomfortable with change. They can say they don't do things a certain way and I just tell them to be flexible, let's change things up today! —LloydC.
24. Make funny comments!
Check out these adorable free substitute teacher templatesteachers pay teachers.
25. Bring some fidgety toys
Even the best students need a little help. Thatnervous excitementare easy to take with you, or try them outrestlessness do-it-yourself.
26. Be strong from the start
"Don't be a wimp. Assert your authority from the start. You can always relax a little later, but know that you can't get away with it while you're there.” —JillianE.
27. Look at the teacher's seating plan
"Please don't interfere with my classroom dynamics by doing things like making my students switch places."—Susan K.
28. Bring a game
“If possible, have a plan B. My plan was Boggle. It's educational and quick to get to the board. It can be played with the whole class, teams or small groups.” —Katie W .
check out ourpopular educational gamesto the lesson!
Source:main card
29. Advertise to get more jobs
“Create a flyer to put in teachers' inboxes to let them know about your experience and how to contact you to apply. If you want to apply to a specific school, put it in every mailbox." —Solo m.
30. Be sociable
"Eat in class and introduce yourself to the teachers when they enter." —jay o.
31. Ask for help when you need it
“If you don't understand a lesson, ask one of the other teachers. Not all teachers leave enough planned material. You have some extra activities that you can use as a supplement.” —Leah w
32. Experience collaborative art
Get the whole class involved in the same project with one of thesecollaborative art idea.
33. Prepare with videos
Discover the YouTube channelHow to become a great substitute teacher. It has videos on how to start classes, discipline in different classes and much more!
34. Draw boundaries
"Never allow students to take anything from the teacher's desk unless you know from the teacher what they allow and ALWAYS leave a note for the class teacher!" —laura r
35. Try rewards for good behavior
“I carry some small prizes. In high school I used mechanical pencils. If I ask them to help me clean up, the most helpful one gets a prize! They remember that and will work better together next time." —Seorin Y.
36. Use the secondary bathtub
Many teachers leave a secondary reserve of emergency activities, lesson plans, outlines, student information, and more. Use the!
Source:lady teacher mother
37. Assign classwork to students
“I always give disturbing children's work! It helps them focus." —Jody H.
38. Wear badges
“Most substitute teachers really appreciate the table tags so they can call the kids by name. I even bring out Dollar Store name stickers and let the kids write and memorize.”– Melody D.
39. Try a team building activity
Team building games and activities are a great tool to help students work together, listen carefully, communicate clearly, and think creatively. You can also meet themone of those team building games.
40. Edit the room
“Being awake and moving around always helps. Proximity is my best weapon to disarm evil." —Eloise P.
41. Try thesesponge activities
"Madeline Hunter coined the term 'sponge activities' to describe 'learning activities that take up precious time that would otherwise be wasted.' The best sponge activities are fun and engaging and have an academic component without being too much ' school' spend another five minutes!" —Jessica
42. Dress perfectly
“I always try to dress professionally but comfortably. I like to dress as well as the best dressed teacher." —lori z.
43. Take her on a virtual tour
Substitute teachers can continue to take field trips without worrying about parental permission and bus assignments. Take them in onevirtual field tripto the zoo, museum, aquarium and much more.
44. Build relationships
“Build relationships with students. Chances are you'll see them again someday and be glad you remembered their names and something they told you." —colleen f
45. Stay Confident
"It's all about your attitude. They shouldn't allow themselves to feel fearful, nervous or insecure. They feed off of it! —Jesse B
46. Keep it clean
"Keep the room at least as clean as you found it. Especially if you plan on attending this school regularly, you don't want to be known as the messy sub!"megan f
47. Comment Document
“I always bring a set of blank cards so that even if the teacher doesn't have a 'comment sheet', he can write down the day's progress. And thank them in the note for letting you do your tuition (no matter what your day was!).” —Nadel
48. Leave a business card
"Leave a business card of sorts... something different from writing your contact information on a piece of paper. Whenever I got a call to a new school I didn't go to, I always left extra cards and said they could pass it on to others." people. Now that I'm a teacher, I love it when subs do this! It's so helpful. I'm always looking for a substitute who can keep the classes going while I'm away instead of taking chances with a random substitute! —he insists
49. Play an old-school playground game.
Substitute teachers can take breaks too! Take the kids outside and have fun with themone of those gamesyou played as a child
50. Take control
“Take control of the class so you can complete the entire lesson plan. Classes increase day by day, so making a plan for the day helps the absent teacher tremendously. When I was a substitute, many professors praised the fact that I was teaching, and when the word got out that I was doing everything, they called me every day." —Angelica P.
51. Leave the room better than you found it
“It's polite if you can grade work or leave feedback on students' academic performance and clean up your desk; leave everything there so it will be neat.” —kimberly j.
52. Rely on helpers
“Be assertive from a special education perspective, but don't be so assertive that students involve you in a power struggle. If there are helpers, trust that they know the students and the routines well. let them help you —Jenifer W.
53. Encourage students
"When I go in, I usually do a mad lib or two as an incentive to get the room ready at the end of the day. You can find them online for free. Mad Libs go a long way and are a great thriller or ice breaker. It only takes about 5 minutes and the kids love it!” —madison t.
54. Learn from other substitute teachers
follow this teacherplan to survive as a submarine!
55. Use stickers
“I used to bring stickers. No allergy issues. I also brought a book to share and some tricky ideas to fill in the extra time.” —Lauren S
What are your tips for substitute teachers? Tell us in the comments below!
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