Dealing with Challenging Behavior is not easy. It is particularly challenging as a substitute teacher. In my experience as a teacher is general, I notice that each class has its own personality. Some groups of students has a sense of solidarity while other groups are fragmented with cliques and others have adversarial relationships with constant in-fighting.
Teacher Control Thyself
One rule I have concerning control. The first person I seek to control is myself. I do not seek to control students, nor do I seek to engage in a power struggle. I do not have to fight for authority, I am an adult and the teacher, so therefore it is a given that I am the authority figure. I choose not to be shrill, sarcastic, defensive or offensive. I instead, I am calm, composed, and cordial. I appropriate each class in a professional manner and am available to help struggling students. I have grade and age appropriate expectations with the exception of special need students. However, I expect each student to do their best.
Dealing with a State of Anarchy
One day in particular I had a 6th grade class, whose teacher was absent family leave. Usually when a homeroom teacher has been absent for an extended period, the classroom is in a state of anarchy. Whenever this happens, I try to use lots of positive reinforcement and keep the classroom schedule moving along. Lapses in daily schedule give students an opportunity to engage in off-task behaviors. I very rarely have to raise my voice in a classroom. So far, I can count on one hand how many times I have raised my voice as a substitute teacher. I am usually so quiet, that if and when I raise my voice (when I see students about to start a fight usually), the sudden and marked increase of volume startles the students into submission.
These are some of my ways to manage a classroom, even if I am just there for the day.
- I seek to be in control of myself
- I have age and grade appropriate expectations
- I make sure my instructions are explicit
- I avoid repeating directions (they can always ask a peer)
- I ask for volunteers for classroom assistants if there are no assignments given
- I circle the room a lot
- I make use of my peripheral vision (so I can talk to one student while watching the others)
- I enforce classroom rules
- I enforce a strict "no bullying" rules
- I gives students an opportunity to apologize to each other
For a pack of printables to create a substitute pack see link below:
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