Substitute Teaching Advice?

Question

I am in the process of becoming a substitute teacher so that I can have a steady income coming in while I am waiting for my grant to be approved so that I can continue with my college degree and I will also be doing it while I am working on my degree. I am new at this and I am still young so I can remember what it was like to have a substitute in high school but I am just looking for some advice and tips from other teachers or substitute teachers. Thanks!

Answer 1

You need to let them know you are the boss.  Kids smell fear and will make your day as a substitute the longest ever.  Come prepared with something for them to do in case the teacher leaves nothing (does happen).  If it does, let the principal know so it won't happen again.  Being strict will make them respect you.  Stick to the teacher's plan.  Ask the other teacher's around for help if you need to.  Good luck.  I for one loved to substitute before I became a teacher.  It's the best experience ever.  

Answer 2

Be tough, don't let them walk all over you, otherwise you will hate your job.

Make sure the students do the work the teachers assign.

Always try to leave a little note about how the class was. (I hate hearing about all the bad things kids did from other kids and wondering why the sub didn't say anything.)

Be prepared in case the teacher doesn't leave any work, you may want to have a movie ready.

If they say "We did this already." say great it will be easy to do it again.

Good luck being a sub.  I loved being a sub and getting my masters.  I plan so much time making lessons I wish I could go back to just showing up for work w/o being so stressed.

I don't know if you already have a job or not but there are two types of subs.  You can be a contract sub or a per diem sub.

Contract sub - you work for one school everyday or 3 times a week.  So you are guaranteed work every week.

Per diem sub - they call you at 5am and ask you if you can sub.  You are not guaranteed work every week.  You can usually sign up for more than one school and you'll work pretty much everyday.

I have done both.  When I worked per diem one school would call after I already accepted a job so they would book me in advance which was nice not to wait for the call at 5 am.

Answer 3

Don't expect the children to respond to you like they do their regular teacher.   I'm so tired of the subs thinking I don't do my job right because they cannot control the kids.   If you have charge of the class, you need to have control.   Don't rely on the regular teacher to do your job.   Don't talk to the parents of the students that you are taking over -- especially about the teacher that you have just taken over for.   There is a sub I will never call again as she contacted a parent, told me one thing about the student and the parent another.  Very frustrating time!!