Becoming a substitute teacher who is requested is a goal for many. Recently I asked substitute teachers what they did to become requested, and here is a list of their suggestions. What would you add?
- Go the extra mile.
- Ask if you are needed to perform extra activities, i.e. bus duty or lunch duty.
- Email or leave a very detailed report of how the day went.
- Volunteer to help in other classes when on a prep period.
- Be positive to students, other teachers, administrators, and office staff. Smile and say “thank you” a lot.
- Develop a business card with your name and contact information.
- You could also note that you are, “Available on short notice.”
- Introduce yourself to other people in the building.
- Leave a list of students who were on-task and helpful instead of a list of students who were off-task.
- If you have a degree in music or art, or some specific skill, be sure to contact teachers who teach that content area specifically.
- Attend conferences and things that you know teachers where teachers will be.
- Work to improve your classroom management skills.
- Dress professionally. Even on “casual Fridays.”
- Follow the lesson plans.
- As a substitute teacher I am not sure how important the work is for the whole unit, so I do exactly what the permanent teacher asks me.
- Leave the classroom as clean as you found it.
- Ask the secretary if there is a preferred list and if s/he would put you on it, if s/he feels comfortable.
- It takes time to become trusted as a substitute teacher, so go to the same schools as often as you can.
- Be positive when in the teacher’s lounge.
- Grade papers when possible; alphabetize assignments to make grading easier for the permanent teacher.
- Arrive 20 minutes early to substitute teaching assignments.
- Volunteer time without pay.
- Network with teachers.
- Always have extra activities available in case there is extra time in the class period.
- Teach in special education classes.
- Be cheerful when the school secretary calls you.
- Thank him/her for giving you the opportunity to teach.
- Tell the students if they want you to come back to let their teacher know.
- Be a team player.
- Be more helpful than is required.
- Attend extra-curricular events so teachers, students, and staff can get used to seeing you around.
- Brush up on your math skills, not many substitute teachers enjoy teaching math.
- Carry a SubPack with you to substitute teaching jobs.
- Just do a really good job.
What else would you add? Share your ideas below.