Perspectives doesn’t go as planned. Do you greet your students at the door? Are there students responsible for checking in homework? Do students correct their own math papers? The more detailed you make the descriptions of your routine, the better. You can design a template with general information, and re-use it each time you have a sub. Just plug in your specific lesson plans for the day. It will save you work, and make the day easier for everyone.
Behavioral expectations: I hope you can be flexible enough to provide your behavioral expectations and consequences and also leave room for a substitute to use management systems s/he has developed. I’m sure you’ve heard parents describe how their child’s behavior is surprisingly different between school and home. The same can be true when your students have a substitute. They may be unsure and shy, but they also may be challenging and inclined to push the limits to discover what might be acceptable behavior with this strange new adult. Some students may exhibit symptoms of stress because their routine is thrown off, or they miss you. They might complain of headaches and stomachaches, and in order to avoid overwhelming office staff with stress related ailments, you could let a sub know which students are likely to try to escape the classroom with a variety of non emergency ailments. As you know, it can be a fine line to tread between a student who repeatedly complains of stomach aches and a puddle of vomit on the classroom floor. Just as some children play parents against each other when given the opportunity, they often do the same with the adults at school. It’s their job. They are learning to navigate in the world. We are there to provide the boundaries to keep them safe and productive. Clear communication between adults is essential. In this way students know we are all working together so they will have a successful learning experience every day. Credits: iStockphoto.com
What is the schoolwide protocol when students are defiant? Most school secretaries don’t appreciate a line up of students sitting in the office because of poor choices. Some teachers have agreements to send students to another classroom when they are being disruptive. Please inform your substitute about the strategies you use when a student needs a time out from your classroom. I hope I have given you some new ideas about working with your substitute. We understand you are overloaded with work and care. We can effectively work with
you if we know your special methods and how you prefer your children are cared for and taught. Mary Meredith Drew has been a teacher in Oregon schools and an active OEA member since 1978, and has taught in seven Oregon school districts. She retired from Woodburn School District in 2004, after teaching ESOL and Spanish at Heritage Elementary, fifth grade at Washington, and Spanish at Woodburn High School. Mary is a freelance writer and editor. Her editing website is at polishyourprose.com. TODAY’S OEA | APRIL 2013
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