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Always
introduce yourself to the principal of the school the first time you are there.
If you find yourself there again-or often- ask for an appointment to chat with
the principal. Ask about hiring possibilities and future employment. Ask about
the hiring procedure in that school/district. Often applicants are required to
Sub before they will be considered.
If you are returning
often or are in a long term Sub position request a formal observation/survey /recommendation
from the principal to be sent to the personnel office.
Apply
to as many districts as possible. this will give you a chance to check them out.
You can then weed out the ones you have no interest in and/or ones that provide
few chances to Sub. Do not leave resumes at every school...leave resumes at schools
where you Substitute a lot. That way the schools already know you.
When at a school ALWAYS eat lunch in the Teacher's Lounge. Introduce yourself.
LISTEN!!! Ask questions about the school and district.
Go to as many Back to School /Open House nights as possible-again this gives you
a chance to check out the school. Take notes of things you see for your idea file.
Use
this to answer "but we don't do it that way"... I am your teacher
TODAY. Today, I am your teacher so we will / won't do that.
Tips
for Success Remember that substitute teachers are held up to
the same ethical and legal standards as regular classroom teachers. Be overly
cautious.
Never be alone with a student.
Never strike a student.
Avoid any sarcasm in the classroom It is too easily misunderstood.
If you
want to work often, make yourself known at each district and /or school office.
Be sure your telephone number is correct.
Get to know each school's
secretary
If you want to do extended, long-term subbing, make it known.
Tell teachers with whom you work, too. Make sure they think to request you if
they must take extended leave.
Business cards are a good idea.
Say "yes"
as often as possible, especially during your first months on the sub roster.
If you don't want to work on a particular day, consider letting the answering
machine take the message.
Arrive ready to teach in
any situation. Have lessons planned for every grade, subject, and situation
Write your name on the board. Pronounce your name slowly and clearly. If your
name is unusual or difficult to pronounce, you may want to talk about the origin
of your name. Consider permitting students to call you
Mr. / Miss G or the
first letter of your name.
Go to the teacher's lounge at lunch time. Here
is an opportunity to meet and network for substitute requests.
Keep a file
on each school in the district. Include administrators' names, a map of the school,
a copy of the school's handbook of rules & regulations, copies of the school's
forms, and any other pertinent information.
Chances are you will sub for
the same teachers again so get to know each teacher's/school's rules and expectations.
Keep notes notes about each teacher - a sub folder available, lesson plans left,
classroom behavior expectations, the class behavior,keep a copy of your notes
to the regular teacher.
Dress neatly and professionally.
Subbing provides
a way to show you're a pro-in dress, manner, skill.
Stay away from teacher's
lounge politics or gossip. Listen but NO comments.
Leave the room in neat
order. Grade papers that you can.
Always leave a note. Be sure your name can
be read so the teacher can request you another time.
If you find you are returning
to a school, make an effort to meet and talk with the principal.
When you
are in a long term position, ask the principal to do a formal evaluation and send
it to the district/personnel office.
Subbing is NOT teaching but you can learn
a lot from being in many classrooms. Keep a notebook of good ideas and any copies
you can get for seat work.
Use these ideas as an introduction when you begin the day.
I
need:
someone who can pronounce everyone's name
someone who knows
everyone
only that one person helps me with pronouncing names
I expect:
everyone to raise to your hands to answer questions
or to speak
(have all do it as practice boys/girls/this group/this row)
Set class into groups or rows.
Assign points for:
doing
good work/following directions/answering questions
release for recess according
to points
Use wrapped mini treats as a reward.
Stickers are also really
liked. Give each student a 3x5 card to put mini-stickers on.
Discipline is THE hardest Skill to do well. Substituting will help you develop
it and eventually you will be glad of this opportunity. Reread the articles on
discipline on my website.
Some other suggestions:
*Be prepared
*Wear good shoes...NEVER sit down, walk around the room constantly
*Have
a "suitcase" of already run activities
*Have day's plan that can be adapted
for any level *Teacher supply stores have books especially for Subs..invest in
one
*Run a very structured day
*Give one direction at a time , have one
area of the class do it, then another area,etc.
*Set up teams by the group/row/area,
give points for quiet, following directions, silent work time, great answers,
etc. The group with the most points gets a mini candy before lunch....start again
after lunch
*Kids love stickers ...have already cut construction paper into
3"x4" pieces or buy colored 3x5 cards, buy tiny stickers-the 1000 variety, each
time a group or individual does well put a sticker on the "card" with the most
stickers getting a mini candy bar just before going home
*Discipline requires
you to exert energy!
Never stand passively waiting !!
*As students
behave and work well, draw a picture on the board part by part...Garfield, Donald
Duck, anything(you practice so you can) .have the figure say in a conversation
bubble the report of the day for the teacher (They were GREAT especially.....)
Have a transparency to show students what it will look like when done or have
a contest to see who can guess the messenger as it develops. Erase a part if students
don't maintain the good work and behavior
*Remember YOU must be clear to
them of what you expect, go over all your expectations of how the day will go
*Have a special art lesson or indoor game to play as a reward
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