Redheaded Jill

Things I do in the classroom that teachers seem to appreciate.

I am currently in my third year of being a substitute teacher. Here are some things that I do in the classroom that teachers seem to appreciate and get me invited back.

Leaving detailed notes: If the kids are good, I leave a note. If the kids are ornery, I leave a note (but still try to highlight some positive moments).

Leaving the classroom clean: I try to leave the classroom cleaner than I found it. I try to keep everything organized and tidy.

Thanking the staff: The secretaries, custodians and paras are all so important to the inner workings of a school. I try to always thank them, smile, and be respectful.

I leave my contact info if I want to be invited back by a specific class. This way if the teacher likes how I ran things they can reach out and let me know in advance if they will be absent. Some teachers really like to have one or two go to substitutes for their class so the kids can have a sense of normalcy even when the regular teacher is gone.

Aside from that, be kind to the kids. Be respectful to the teachers. If there’s a student teacher or para they know the system and the kids well. Trust them and follow their lead when appropriate. Don’t change things too much without permission and know that even if it’s a hard day these jobs are short and temporary. You can do just about any job for one day.