What makes a great substitute teacher?

A great substitute teacher is adaptable, confident, and empathetic, focusing on maintaining consistency by following lesson plans while also managing the classroom with strong communication, clear expectations, and fairness. They go beyond just babysitting by engaging students, showing genuine interest, and creating a calm, structured, yet positive atmosphere, ensuring learning continues smoothly and students feel respected.

What is the #1 most important trait in a substitute teacher?

The number one common trait of successful substitute teachers is adaptability or flexibility, allowing them to quickly adjust to different classrooms, age groups, and unexpected situations like missing lesson plans, while also demonstrating preparedness, often through having their own resource kit (SubPack), to maintain engaging learning and strong classroom management. 

What would make me a good substitute teacher?

Excellent Communication Skills. Clear communication is essential for conveying lessons effectively and managing classroom dynamics. A good substitute teacher can articulate instructions, engage with students, and communicate with school staff to ensure they understand the lesson plans and expectations.

What is the 70 30 rule in teaching?

The 70/30 rule in teaching is a principle that shifts focus from teacher-led instruction to student-centered, active learning, suggesting students should do 70% of the talking/practice and teachers 30% of direct instruction, or that teachers plan 70% for activities and 30% for content, promoting deeper engagement and skill development over passive reception, particularly in language learning. 

What is the most important thing a substitute teacher does?

A good substitute teacher knows the importance of understanding what the regular teacher had in mind, making sure there's no plot twist that catches the students off guard. Adapt: Adapting teaching strategies on the fly is their secret to success.

10 TIPS FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS & THINGS TO CONSIDER | Tips for Subs

What is the number one common trait of a successful substitute teacher?

The number one common trait of successful substitute teachers is adaptability or flexibility, allowing them to quickly adjust to different classrooms, age groups, and unexpected situations like missing lesson plans, while also demonstrating preparedness, often through having their own resource kit (SubPack), to maintain engaging learning and strong classroom management. 

What is the 10 minute rule in teaching?

The "10-minute teacher rule" generally refers to two different concepts: a homework guideline suggesting 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night, supported by the NEA/PTA, or a classroom management technique where teachers switch activities every 10 minutes to maintain student attention, reflecting brain research on focus. It can also mean a classroom policy (often called the "10/10 rule") preventing student interruptions or departures during the first and last 10 minutes of class to ensure clear instruction and wrap-up, notes Eastern Washington University.
 

What are the 5 P's classroom rules?

The 5 Ps of classroom management are common behavioral expectations: Prompt, Prepared, Polite, Productive, and Positive (or Patient), creating a framework for a respectful and efficient learning environment where students arrive on time, have materials, respect others, stay on task, and maintain an optimistic outlook. These principles guide student conduct, helping minimize distractions and foster a positive classroom culture focused on learning. 

What are the 5 ts of teaching?

Animated video developed by the Uganda Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity under RTI International describing the 5 Ts - Time, Teaching, Text, Tongue and Testing.

What is the Goldilocks principle in teaching?

The 'Goldilocks principle' states that teachers should focus on material that is not too easy or too hard, but 'just right'.

Is subbing harder than teaching?

Subbing is often considered harder than full-time teaching because of the constant unpredictability, lack of established relationships, and pressure to manage classrooms with unfamiliar students and often incomplete lesson plans, requiring immense flexibility and quick adaptation, whereas a full-time teacher benefits from knowing routines, students, and curriculum, though they face the demands of planning and grading. While subbing offers flexibility (no grading/planning outside work), the day-to-day chaos, testing by students, and logistical hurdles (like finding the bathroom) make it extremely demanding. 

How to be respected as a substitute teacher?

As a substitute teacher, your job is to take the place of the classroom teacher, and you need to be a professional and follow the lesson plans that were left for you. Oftentimes, substitute teachers think the key to gaining control of the classroom and earning students' respect is to be a friend.

What is a substitute teacher number one priority?

Priority 1: Prepare substitute teachers to succeed through comprehensive training. Effective substitute teachers are equipped with the right training, tools, and knowledge before they ever step into a classroom.

What not to do as a substitute teacher?

As a substitute teacher, avoid being unprofessional (using phone, snooping, rearranging rooms), getting too friendly or too strict, taking misbehavior personally, making threats, leaving students unsupervised, or failing to follow the original teacher's plans/notes, as these actions create chaos, erode authority, and can lead to safety issues or complaints. Focus on maintaining a firm but kind demeanor, enforcing clear expectations, and ensuring student safety and learning. 

How to be an amazing substitute teacher?

Tips for Substitute Success

1. Arrive 15-30 minutes early. ...
2. Be professional in dress and attitude.
3. Turn off or silence your cell phone.
4. Read through lesson plans thoroughly.
5. Be interesting and get involved with the students.
6. Leave detailed notes at end of day with your phone number.

Why is subbing better than teaching?

It's a wonderful way to gain experience while you're on the path to becoming a certified teacher. Substitute teaching is also perfect for those who want a flexible schedule that suits their lifestyle. Subbing can give you exposure to various schools, grade levels, subjects, and locations.

What are the five C's in teaching?

That's why we've identified the Five C's of Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Leadership, and Character to serve as the backbone of a Highland education.

What are the 4 A's of teaching?

The 4As of adult learning: Activity, Analysis, Abstraction, and Application is illustrated in Figure 6-1. The constructivist approach to teaching asserts that a Learner gains and builds knowledge through experience.

What is the golden rule of teaching?

The golden rule of teaching is simply that teachers shouId treat their students as they would have their own instructors treat them. They learn best when treated with courtesy and respect and when encouraged to learn in the way that suits them best.

What are the 4 B's classroom rules?

These Posters support the use of the Four B's - Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be Kind.

How to get students to behave in class?

A good place to start is with what NCTQ calls The Big Five.

1. Rules: Establish and teach rules.
2. Routines: Establish and teach routines.
3. Praise: Reinforce and praise positive behavior.
4. Misbehavior: Issue consequences for misbehavior.
5. Engagement: Teach interesting lessons with student participation.

What is the 80/20 rule of teacher talking time?

The 80/20 Rule for Teacher Talking Time (TTT) suggests teachers should aim for 80% student talk (STT) and only 20% teacher talk, shifting from being the main information source to a facilitator of student communication and discovery, ultimately boosting engagement and learning by giving students more opportunity to practice and apply concepts. While it's hard to achieve perfectly, especially with beginners, the goal is to minimize teacher monologue and maximize meaningful student dialogue and activity. 

What is the 1010 rule in school?

I post this sign next to our classroom clock. The 10/10 rule means students are not allowed to leave the classroom during the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of a class period.