How many times have you reported to a teacher that their students or substitute was absolutely horrible during their absence? Have you thought about avoiding the negative report by replacing it with a positive one? Well it is in your best interest to begin. If you are in the habit of doing so, then you have the opportunity to teach others to do the same. For those of you wondering how, here is a tip. Teachers must be willing to leave the comfort of their classrooms to embrace a substitute who could possibly be in your very own classroom at some point.
Due to substitute shortage in some school systems, teachers can help by assisting substitutes adjust to school and classroom environments. To do so, a teacher could do simple tasks such as take time to speak with the substitute before, during, and after school to ensure that the substitute knows where to find things such as copy machines, office supplies, coffee, books, teacher lounge, and bathrooms. It is more important to review discipline policies, rules, and routines with substitutes to ease the day. These tidbits will help keep students on task and possibly avoid the disruption of the academic environment. Think of it as investing in your career. All teachers will have to take time off from school for one reason or another. When you do, you should rest assured that the substitute has effective and efficient lesson plans, and the support of your colleagues. It is a chore writing plans, ensuring student attainment of competencies, and providing assessments. After putting all that work into place, who wants to return to work to face a heap of work left undone due to behavioral and organizational issues? Teachers do not have time to waste therefore; it is beneficial for teachers to assist substitutes with daily tasks, and routines.
What is in it for the colleague who provided the assistance? The colleague will have the benefit of knowing that you will have the same support when they are absent. The most important benefit is advocating for all students to remain on task, and continue learning. If teachers can assure that those two things are happening in classrooms with substitutes, they can rest assure that there are less behavioral issues, and that substitute is more likely to return to the school. The last benefit to assisting a substitute is having their support if and when needed. Teachers must remember that word of mouth spreads fast. If you extend your good manners to a substitute, they will be more than likely to extend good manners too.