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How can you be sure that the substitute teacher sees that you appreciate her coming in? Here are some useful tips to help you host a substitute in your classroom.
If you have to be away from your classroom for even a day, you know that there will always be someone to cover for you. That's what substitute teachers are for. So how can you be sure that the substitute teacher sees that you appreciate her coming in? How can you help her to feel comfortable, successful and welcome in your classroom? Here are some useful tips to help you host a substitute in your classroom.
Step 1:

Leave detailed plans. Even though you can probably pick up from yesterday's lesson with a two-word blurb in your day plan, a substitute teacher needs much more direction. Create a set of detailed instructions for your substitute teacher that lay out how each lesson should flow. Include the start and stop time of each period as well.  Make note of any students that will require extra support, extra encouragement, or just that little something ‘extra' to find success after each lesson. And be sure to leave some extra work for students who finish early.

Discuss your behavior management strategies too, such as rewards and consequences. Students need to see consistency so it's important that she knows how behavior is managed in your classroom.

Mention any duties you have throughout the day, and provide a map of the school so that she won't be lost. Discuss any unique rules about recess or yard duty so that she can maintain school policies while she's supervising students.

Step 2:

Get things ready in advance. Along with detailed lesson plans, you can prepare to host a substitute teacher by getting all of her supplies ready for her. Don't expect her to do your photocopying on the morning of your absence. Do that in advance, ensuring that you hole-punch and label each class's set of papers so that there will be no issues. Get out the paintbrushes so she doesn't have to search for them. Put out all of the textbooks and teaching guides she'll need to use throughout the day, and bookmark the specific pages that she'll need to refer to for each lesson.

Step 3:

Provide a seating plan. You can be a great host to a substitute by helping her with the basics, like knowing who your students are. Leave an up-to-date seating plan for your substitute teacher. You can provide just a basic paper version of the plan, or you can draw a picture on the board, have students wear name buttons, or have students place folded name tags on their desks. The approach doesn't matter. What's important is that the substitute teacher you host is able to properly address each student by name throughout the day.

Step 4:

Leave her everything else she'll need. Along with having to teach your lessons all day, the substitute teacher will require a few things to help her manage. Leave a list of helpful students that can answer small questions. Write your photocopier code down so she can make extra copies if she needs to. And leave her the keys for the classroom / gym / staff washroom / etc. If you want her to mark the papers she has distributed throughout the day, leave her an answer key. If it's not important that things get marked, make note of that too. Leaving a few detailed notes along with the resources she'll need for the day is the best way you can prepare to host a substitute teacher in your classroom.

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