Substitutes

Sub Packets:

I grabbed all the sub packets I could find and came up with the most complete list I could of what should be in sub packets. Your needs may vary, of course, and if you see I'm missing something, please let me know!

• School District Sub Packet:
  • An introductory sheet that explains how calls are made and accepted, sub pay, and who the sub coordinator is and how to reach him/her
  • "Helpful Hints" page
  • name, address, and phone number of all schools in the district
  • map of town(s) with all schools marked
  • explanation of time sheet & how to fill out, when to turn in, and when paydays are
  • what to do when injured on the job

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• Individual School Sub Packet:
  • map of the school*
  • teacher roster*
  • bell schedule* (incl. early release & am/pm assembly schedules)
  • school discipline policy*
  • year calendar
  • helpful hints
  • important school policies
  • fire drill, earthquake and lockdown procedures
  *Considered bare minimum by most substitutes, including me!

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• Individual Teacher Sub Folder: I have a sub folder that I keep in the main drawer of my desk at all times. It has pockets on the front and back covers, good for keeping referral slips, hall passes, attendance rosters and seating charts. The pages within are
  • quick reference(tells where most used classroom items are kept),
  • rules not on syllabus,
  • syllabus,
  • typical classroom format,
  • unique student needs list,
  • a handling emergencies plan and
  • a map of the school.

Other Stuff:

What Teachers Expect from Subs:

• Don't record any grades in the gradebook, and don't leave your dirty coffee cups, lunch utensils, etc. lying around. --submitted by Phil
• detailed notes about what occured while they were gone. What students were a problem, how far into the lesson you got, who was absent, etc...
• someone who can control the classroom so that the lesson can be taught.
• someone who does their best to follow the lesson plan to the letter.
• an honest effort on the sub's part to teach the lesson planned, even if the subject is difficult for them.
• I expect my sub to leave my class like she found it. Everything straightened and in it's place. --submitted by LM

What Subs Expect from Teachers:

• Lesson Plans that are clear, with all referred to materials being present & accounted for.
• Accurate seating charts, so we have the power of calling students by name in your classroom.
• Notes that give us a good idea about what's acceptable in your classroom, such as bathroom priviledges, phone use, what belongings of yours they are and aren't allowed to borrow...
• Make sure you leave us the name of a teacher that can help us if we have questions.
• in primary, I leave very detailed notes that I keep in a sub folder. Be explicit where you keep everything they will need. I put projects, papers, name tags, and all the work for the day in a basket. I also have names of reliable students to help or direct questions too. Always have extra work for them, just in case. I leave a treat for the kids if they have been good for the sub as an extra incentive. I tell the sub to dangle it over their heads all day. --submitted by LM

Nice Things We Can Do:

• One thing I do that subs seem to appreciate is take a picture of all my students at the beginning of the year & put their name on the back. These then go in my sub folder. That way the kids can't try to misidentify themselves to the sub. --submitted by Joe
• When I was subbing, it made me feel good when the teacher started her letter out with, "Welcome, thank-you for coming, have a great day!" So, I in turn write this to my subs. --submitted by LM
• I am a substitute teacher for the Dayton Public School system in Ohio. I have been substituting for two years now. From my personal experience and what I find to be helpful, is if the staff, which includes the principal, other teachers and also secretaries is friendly, helpful and supportive of you. Once that type of atmosphere is established it makes it easier to do my job. I only go to particular schools where I know that this type of environment has been created. If I go into a school where I am not greeted properly or repected by the staff, I will not return. --submitted by Bridg'ette Nicole Williams

Do you have a substitute tip you'd like to share? Please, submit it here!