Any advice for a first time substitute teacher?

Question

I'm planning on subbing for the first time next month. I don't have an education degree, or much experience with kids. I need the money as I only have a part-time job and haven't been able to find full-time work. In Ohio, you just need a 4-year degree in anything to sub. There are no subbing classes, no prepartion whatsoever. My dad is friends with a junior high principal who let me come in and shadow a class that was going to be my first subbing assignment the next day. I ended up getting cold feet and called him that night saying I changed my mind. He said he understood though said I could try it again anytime. Now I'm thinking I want to try it again. I know that I would've been fine before, though the fact that I have no classroom experience frightened me. This class was just an art class and the teacher had already left the assignment on the board so I didn't have to do anything. If I try it again, the principal will likely put me in an easy class like this. Though I don't know..

Answer 1

I sub in Ohio.. here's how it goes:  If you have a good teacher you're subbing for they will leave you detail plans for the day.  Grade school teachers normally leave actual lessons... you have to read over the lesson & then teach it, collect the papers, helps the students... it's easy.  Middle school sometimes you teach lessons, but most of the time the teachers give you busy work for the students.  So bring a book b/c it gets pretty boring.  HIgh school is the same way.  You pretty much are there to make sure they're not buring the school down or anything.  :)  

  It's not scary at all.  Amazingly, the students really do follow the rules most of the time & don't give you too much of a hard time.  Just remember- the second that they know that you're upset, mad, or bothered by them they WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!  So just don't let stuff bother you.  You're only there for one day (in most cases) so if they act up just get them to calm down.  Lots of people who sub with me tell me they hate it & can't wait to teach... but there are many of us who really do enjoy it.  Also, most people don't like to sub for the art classes, so if you do, you might find that they'll always use you for the art teachers.  :)  Good luck!!

ALSO... very important... remember to leave a note for the teacher!!  Most of the time I make sure the students know that I leave a note & to be on their best behavior.  I always leave a detailed list of what we did for the day.  At the end of my note I say, "If you have any questions feel free to call me or email me", and leave both my cell phone # & email address.  I frequently get emails thanking me for doing a good job.  If you leave your information, then they will know that you did the best job you could.  Some subs only sign their sloppy names & don't leave any contact info & that really bothers the teachers.

Answer 2

Read Harry Wongs book- first days of school. Its meant for full time teachers but is brilliant and will give you many insights. I have been teaching for years and still read it again every August before we go back.Try to meet with the teacher you are subbing for if you can and have her explian her discipline system as well as the assignments for her class. Go in tough- its much easier to get softer as the day goes on than it is to get tougher- if you let them walk all over you they will. Don't worry about being liked let them earn your respect before you ease up.In Texas - at least my district you only need a GED to sub so they are getting quality subs up there!

Be brave and go for it- i don't suppose this guy will give you more than 2 chances unless they are really desperate for subs.

Answer 3

Well I've nearly finished school and I can try and help.

The most successful teachers are those that come in and take absolutely no **** from the srudents (if your subbing for a while make it clear because that way they realise you could be around for a while to make things uncomfortable for them, but make sure no empty threats are used cause they'll take advantage of weakness. Start off with rules e.g. "Hello my name is Ms. Simons. before we start with Art I'd like to lay down a few ground rules. One- only one person speaks at a time. If you want to say something you raise your hand and I'll give you my full attention. You will do the same for me when I am at the front of the room. Two- I won't tolerate noise, you can talk quietly to the person next to you, but if you get too loud you can sit up the front in my special seat...etc.) But as time goes by you show that your not that bad as you made yourself out to be. They'll have respect for you and later when you're on better terms they wont cross you cause they remember you from the begining. First impressions are important. Of course, teaching the students is impotant too, be confident in what you're doing and they;ll respect you more. Help them in anyway you can because there education is important and when they know you care respect goes higher. Of course, it depends on the school too, ir its a private school or a fairly good school it won't be as hard as when your dealing with a school with a bad reputation. Hope I've helped.

Answer 4

I subbed for a year right out of college, but I did have an education degree, I just could not find a job.  95% of the time the classes I had were fine.  I only subbed in 3 different bulidings and the kids quickly got to know me and know that I don't put up with a lot of stuff and that they cannot get away with stuff.  

Two policies I had were no computer use while I was there.  Most classrooms have computers for the students to use in their free time and I did not want to deal with a student accessing something inappriopriate while I was there, even if the teacher told me that it was OK, I still would not let them.  My second policy was no passes to the bathroom.  I wanted to keep tabs on the students in my charge at all times because I don't really know them, so I was not going to let them leave unless it was a designated break time or something.

My first couple of days I was soooooo nervous, but after the first week I was fine.  Just dive in and do it.  It can be very fun.

Answer 5

Try a book called First year in school by Henry Wong.  It is the bible for new teachers and has it all so you won't have to buy a bunch of books.  The school may have a copy that they can loan you.

Also everyday bring a newspaper to school with you and if you cannot follow the lesson plan you can be prepared with crazy articles or discussion questions.  Set up rules for your discussions -

Keep to the topic, no funny business etc.

Be prepared every day even if you do not get called.  Get up early whether you are going to sub or not.  There is nothing that spells failure like a sub who have been out late drinking and comes in with wet hair and a large coffee in their han.  That says :"I am fish bait and you are the sharks".

Gail

Answer 6

Make sure you know the subject matter and make sure you get control right away.  That will mean seeming kinda "mean" at first, but once you get the class under control (a few weeks or months), you can lighten up.

Answer 7

What ages/grades are you going to sub? That make a big difference...

Answer 8

Yep...you definitly need Harry Wongs the First Few Days of School....I too read it EVERY August before my students return to school.  Yes, it is meant for full time teachers but as the previous answer suggested; it is full of tips for behavior management.

Answer 9

Subbing is tough because you don't know the kids, you will have them for less than an hr. and they'll be gone.  My advice is don't get to friendly, stick to the assignment the teacher has left for you.

Some other tips:

Always have some engaging fun assignment ready in case there is time left  Activities from the newspaper are good.

Be stingy with bathroom passes, none the 1st and last 10  minutes of class.

Tell them you will leave word with their teacher (good or bad)

Stop deviant behavior immediately, they'll test you to see how much you can get away with.

Consider subbing a challenge to see how well you can conduct (control) a classroom and analyze what you will and won't do the next time.

I've been teaching fifteen years and am still tweeking certain things for optimum results

Answer 10

i didn't read past the question but i already thought of something..

the kids look at subs and basically a free pass to do whatever they want.. expect little respect from the 'bad kids'

utilize help from other teachers if you have problems.. you'll have someone on your side that they know is in charge not to mention they can tell the real teacher what went on..

i always feel bad for subs so i usually tried to help them out and not cause problems..

Answer 11

First there are no easy sub jobs. Whoever told you that, has no idea what it's like being a sub. Go in there, and be firm and hold your ground. Be consistent and fair, and you'll be fine.

Second. Being shy, will have to take a back seat as soon as you enter the room. The students will size you up the moment they see you, so you can't be shy or afraid. Just, be relaxed and be sure to explain YOUR rules, and YOUR expectations. I say this because, if you don't you're going to hear a life long of "that's not how Mrs./Mr So and So does it".

There's a book called building community through Tribes. I would strongly recommend it, since you're going to have problems managing a class. This book, will actually help prevent those problems from even happening.

Being a sub is a great job. Not only will you get examined by the students, but by the teachers as well. You'll be able to check out the whole school, teachers, and students, and if it's not a good fit you can go and see another school. Have fun.

Answer 12

One of the biggest things is to keep the kids busy. Usually teachers don't leave as much work for a sub. So, I would bring some of my own items. Depending on the grade level, I would bring things like coloring books, word searches, mad libs, etc. These items, of course would be done after the work that the teacher has left. If you can keep the students busy, the discipline problems will be minimized.

Answer 13

Bring a whip!