Any beginning substitute teacher might unsurprisingly feel apprehensive and nervous at the beginning of his or her substitute teaching career. The following tips should help lessen the anxiety when preparing to face unknown classes in a variety of new school settings.
Arrive Early for Subbing
Getting to school early is a key to being organised for a day of sub teaching, especially when you are booked for a day at a school new to you. Allowing time to familiarise yourself with the location of the staffroom, classroom, and other facilities will give you the confidence of knowing your way around. The school office should give you a copy of a school map upon request.
Be sure to give yourself time before class to read over the work that has been left by the class teacher. There will be times though when not enough classwork has been left, or even when no work has been set at all. Be prepared for this! Have a backup kit of activities which can be implemented easily with minimal resources and preparation. Some easy and effective activities can be found in the article 3 Quick Substitute Lesson Ideas and having enough work to occupy the class is your first priority.
Have High Behaviour Expectations
When meeting the class and introducing yourself, be friendly yet firm. Some classes may be under the misapprehension that substitute teachers will tolerate behaviours that their regular teacher won't accept. Make it clear right up front that this is not the case at all, and that you are very familiar with the class rules and school code of behaviour and will accept nothing less.
Follow-up any misbehaviour immediately in line with the school rules, as once students see you are serious about classroom management they will be less likely to play up. It is always helpful to have met the Head or Manager responsible for student behaviour prior to class in case there is any particular information pertaining to individual students that you should be aware of. Even dropping the Head's name in conversation with the class will have them thinking you know your way around the school and how it runs!
Give Some Feedback
As you may be offered future work at the school, start building relationships by giving some feedback on your day! Firstly, provide students with some positive feedback. Even if your time with a class was not all rosy, try to find some positive words and praise them genuinely. They will remember you more favourably should your paths cross again! Be sure to leave the teacher some feedback too. Start your written report of the day with positives if you can. Document, fairly and objectively, any concerns you had with individual students and the strategies you employed when dealing with them.
The soundest advice though is to relax and enjoy each day knowing that you are having an opportunity to experience a wonderful variety of teaching situations. Appearing competent and confident while showing genuine enjoyment will be your best way of ensuring ample ongoing subbing work!
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