What makes a good subsitute teacher?

Question

I'm just starting to work as a sub and I'm kind of nervous so what do you think makes a really good substitute teacher? What should I do / say that will give me control but still makes the classroom fun?

Oh I'm only 18 and I look pretty young so I'm worried that the students in the junior highs and high schools won't respect me...help! Please and Thank You

Answer 1

Leadership Principals 101

One who Know's the way - Go's the way and Shows the way

Answer 2

Same thing as the top person, but  you can kinda be a friend. Follow what the teacher left behind for you to do. Try to be very charming to the students and answer their questions. I ADVISE you not to reveal you age at all. very important.

Answer 3

First of all, I'm surprised that a school district would let someone without college hours be a sub.  That being said...

Dress professional.  Dressing down always lends an air of being not so serious.  

Be in charge.  Before the day starts, ask someone in the department for any help you may need.  Remember that you are NOT their friend.

Keep to the teacher's plan.  Nothing irritates me more than a sub not following my plan.  I have standards to teach and goals to meet and when the sub does whatever they want, it is a wasted day for the students.

Most importantly--take a deep breath.  It won't be as bad as you think.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Your biggest challenge will be classroom management, Students really like to test substitutes. You need to know what the rules for behavior in the school and classroom are, and what you should do if students violate them. If you have a chance before classes begin, talk to other teachers and get some tips on handling the students. They should know what works. Be willing to do whatever it takes to get the class under control. Don't hesitate to call the office for help if that's what you need to do.

Above all, stay calm and in control. The more stressed you get, the more the students will push things. Make sure you follow up any warnings with action. If you tell a student that if he does that again, you're sending him to the office, make sure you follow through. If students think you won't do anything, things can get out of control very quickly.

Good luck! I've substituted about 10 years in all--four before I got my teaching degree, two before my first teaching job, and four since I gave up teaching and went to work in a bookstore.

Answer 5

1. Dress fancy and you'll look older. Never look your age, don't talk about your age, nothing like that. If they know how young you are they will try to walk over you more.

2. See if the teacher has class rules posted on the wall or in his or her desk somewhere and read them over before class starts. This way when someone says, "Well, the teacher lets us use the bathroom!" or "the teacher doesn't care if we're late to class!" you'll know of the rules.

3. Follow the syllabus. It won't be fun, the kids are going to complain, but most teachers prefer someone who gets the kids to do the work rather than someone who tosses it aside and lets them hang out for an hour. You won't be their favorite sub but you're more likely to get a return call from that teacher.

4. Remember, your job is to be their teacher, not their friend. Get them to at least start their work but use your own imagination to make it more fun. But if they're being little jerks about it then stop with the games and just get them to work.

Answer 6

Well just indroduce yourself,be kind and help the kids.

Answer 7

"3. Follow the syllabus. It won't be fun, the kids are going to complain, but most teachers prefer someone who gets the kids to do the work rather than someone who tosses it aside and lets them hang out for an hour. You won't be their favorite sub but you're more likely to get a return call from that teacher."

AMEN!  My district has a new automated system for getting subs, but it lets us have a preferred list or a "Don't ever call, not even if I'm on my death bed" list.  If I get a sub who doesn't get the work done but chooses to do something else instead (like letting them color in activity books while chomping on candy all day), they go on that second list fast.  A lot of times teachers will leave more work than will probably get done (so you're not stuck stalling for time), so it's okay if you can't always get to everything.  However, finding time to do something completely not on the list instead is just irresponsible.  

Don't worry much about making the classroom fun when you first start out.  That'll come with your personality and the way you interact with the kids when you start to feel comfortable with what you're doing.  You won't feel comfortable with what you're doing until you feel like you're in control.  There's nothing like that first time when it's just you and a class full of kids, all of them waiting on your cue for what to do.  It can be really scary, but once you realize you're the one in charge, it usually works out for the best.  :)