AboutPatricia Ireland-Williams Expertise I am a retired K-12 Public School Principal (8 years as a teacher and counselor) and 23 years as an administrator. I can help parents with questions about how the system works, provide ideas on how to solve school issues or assist teachers in coping with the plethera of stressors they face.
Experience I am currently an educational consultant and have served on the State of Arizona Solutions Team.
Question Hello, my name is James Schendel and I am currently a substitute teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School district. My question is 2-fold.
1: Could you tell me what you think are the qualities you appreciate in a good substitute teacher and the qualities you don't like in a not-so-good substitute teacher. (I'm sure that as a principal, you've seen extreme examples of both.)
2: Can you give me some advice on the actual teaching day as a substitute? I do my best to follow the lesson plan TO THE LETTER, but I often am way behind because I have to search for materials to carry out the lesson plan and the kids are not behaving as well as they do for the regular teacher, etc. and I have a hard time coming up with a consistent, fair discipline plan to keep order in the classroom. Can you give me some advice on these issues? (I know you will think about this email the next time you see a the confused face of a substitute teacher walking down the halls trying to find Room 23.)
thank you in advance for your reply
As ever,
James Schendel
Answer Interestingly enough, since I retired I have been enjoying subbing. Here is how I handle it...........
Find the lesson plan and review it, ask for a student volunteer "helper" who will show you where things are.
Write the structure of the day (if it is not already on board) and review it
Introduce your self and tell them that you expect to have a great day with them. Also tell them that you will be writing a report to their teacher telling them how well they did and they should have as their goal to get a positive report.
If I have any problems with kids, I write their names on the board and use slashes by them until they have 5 which would then end up in a referal to the office.
I also bring extra "rainy day" activities which can be used if there are not enough activities from the teacher. I keep them busy and working all day. You can purchase sub activity books at any teacher supply.
