Being a Substitute Teacher…

can be such a rewarding career path or a stepping stone to other educational positions. For me, substitute teaching has led to further my skill set, brought forth networking opportunities, and so much more. However, it was not always like that. Honestly, as I sit here and reflect, I remember my first day of subbing and not knowing what to do. It’s not that I didn’t know what to do but I was so nervous! I recall thinking,

“will the students take me seriously?”

” I hope my classroom management strategies work with all ages.”

” What if I do not feel comfortable with the subject material?”

I knew the only way to stop feeling nervous and bringing up all of these questions was just to go in the classroom and do my thing!

Well, let us just say,

I definitely went into the classroom and did my thing! But let me be honest…I should have been a bit more prepared. My first day could have run a bit smoother and felt less stressful. Being a substitute and entering a new classroom with new faces can be a tad intimidating already, so having a few things in mind and ready to go can make the biggest difference to having an amazing first day as a substitute teacher. Keep reading for some quick tips to ensure a positive and stress-free first day of subbing.

Don’t be late

Do not be late to your first day of subbing or just any day in general. You want to arrive early so you can review the lesson plans and materials a few times. It is so important to ensure you understand the lesson plans and know exactly how to teach the material. I will be the first to say, there have been times where I may have forgotten how to perform a specific math concept. So having some extra time to review the steps and problems allows me to feel more confident with my teaching and refresh my memory so I can present the information in the best way to the students.

Also, being early to your first day gives you time to get ready, learn the classroom ropes, and meet the staff that can answer any of your questions and that you can connect with for future subbing jobs.

Have your introduction ready

Once you are in the classroom and the day has begun, you want to set the tone right away. This is the initial way to gain students’ attention and respect. You will want to recite your introduction so your students know who you are, what you expect of them, and understand that you will still be applying their set classroom and school rules. Then you will proceed with the schedule for the day so everyone knows what the day consists of. When reciting your pre-planned introduction it is essential to remain assertive but still with a calming and cordial tone. If you can gain the respect of the class right away and make sure everyone is aware of the expectations, the rest of your day should run relatively smoothly.

Don’t take student behavior personally

Remember, every child has a different background and story so sometimes unexpected behaviors or challenging personalities can show. Additionally, students may want to take advantage of subs and act differently than they would with their teacher. But guess what? Do not let this get to you. Do not let student behavior affect you personally or put the blame on yourself. That will only make things worse. Just know sometimes days may not go as you envisioned but never blame yourself. Just take it as a learning experience so your second day and on can only improve.

So, here are some tips to make sure you don’t take any bad behavior personally:

• Remain cool, calm, and collective
• If a student tries to test you, just take deep breaths and give yourself a chance to find a good solution to the issue
• Have a firm plan ready to gain the respect of students
• Have a list of your favorite classroom management strategies so you can reference them if needed.
• Remain confident and know you are in charge!

Now go take on your first day of substitute teaching and feel more confident doing it knowing you have these helpful tips! You can also join the waitlist for Becoming the go-to Sub Academy and grabbing my free Substitute Survival Guide by clicking here: Join the list and get your freebie!