Survival Tips for New Subs

How to Maintain Discipline as a Substitute Teacher

Nov 19, 2007 Venice Kichura

Although substitute teaching is rewarding, it's also challenging. Discover what grade level is best for you, as well as learn valuable tips, helping you with discipline.

New substitute teachers not only have to be on call to teach at a moment’s notice, but also need to know effective discipline strategies to earn respect.

Should You Teach All Grades or Specialize?

Although some substitute teachers enjoy all grade levels, most subs prefer to work with either younger or older students. If you’re a sweet-spoken person who doesn’t know how to respond with sharp comebacks and loves to mother small children, then the early elementary grades are probably best for you. However, if you enjoy a challenge, are able to deal with adolescent sarcasm, and thrive on knowledge, most likely you’d be bored teaching children their “A-B-Cs” and should work with only middle school and high school students. On the other hand, if you’re still not sure which grade levels are best for you, try all of them.

Elementary School Subbing Tips

• Take time to review the classroom rules. Not only will this take up time (if you’re concerned that the real teacher has failed to leave sufficient plans), but it’s a good way to let the students know you’re aware of the rules, including any consequences for those who choose to break them.

• Establish authority immediately. As soon as the students begin to file into your classroom, look and act like their teacher. You may be feeling scared and confused inside, but don’t let them know.

• Always carry a sub bag filled with emergency plans. Be sure you have age-appropriate activities such as math Bingo games. Also, you can go online and by doing a search, find numerous lessons plans for each grade level.

• Don't answer personal questions. Too many new subs mistakenly try to get down on the level of their students by answering inappropriate questions. For example, let’s say a student asks you, “What’s your first name?” Sweetly smile and say, “I’m Mrs. Jones to you.”

• Give a verbal warning, and then follow through. There will always be those students who “cross the line,” testing you. Instead of berating them, simply write their names on the board.

• Write---don’t yell. Rather than wearing out your voice (as well as your credibility) yelling, write instead. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a detention (although if that’s the case, do it.) Usually when disruptive students notice the sub writing, they automatically assume it's about them. If they ask you what you’re writing, just smile, giving off enough body language to make them think they’re in trouble and had better straighten up before the real teacher (or principal) finds out they haven’t obeyed the classroom rules. (This tip also applies to all the other grade levels, as well.)

• Warn them. Let them know as soon as they’re seated that you know all the tricks. Do this as soon as your job begins.

• Establish rules. On the board, write out what happens if they break a rule. For example…First time----Warning; Second time---Write sentences; Third time---Lunch Room Detention; Fourth Time----School Detention, Notifying Parents. With high school kids, you need to talk less than you do with younger students.

• Provide extra worksheets for early finishers. If students who complete your assignment early say they have “nothing else to do”, have additional materials for them.

Most of all, don't be offended if some of your students tell you they don't like you. After all, you're there to do a job and not win a popularity contest. And, remember that if you're not pleasing everyone, you must be doing something right.

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Substitute Teacher