What a Substitute Teacher Needs to Know

I wish I could tell the classroom teachers what I need in order to make it easier to be a guest teacher their classrooms. Generally, principals require a teacher to prepare emergency lessons at the beginning of the school year. In addition to that, however, there are some basic things that I think a substitute teacher needs to know:

1. Classroom culture - are the students working towards a reward? Are the classroom rules posted? Are there behavior essays or a clear procedure for a teacher to follow if a student is off task or breaking the rules? Are there signals that the teacher uses regularly? Who are the helpful students?
2. What is the daily schedule?
3. Are there emergency lessons available?
4. What are the emergency procedures?
5. Is there an information sheet with office telephone numbers, contact information for specialists, school nurse and grade partner?
6. How do you want the teacher to compile the materials and report the day's activity?
7. Do you have a Roster with the names of the students? Are their desks labeled? Do you have emergency labels for the substitute teacher?
8. Do you have a seating chart?
9. Have you provided information for students with special needs like: medication, students pulled out by specialists or counselors, and special education students?

This information would make a substitute's day go much smoother, and is especially important for multi-day assignments.

For read/writable printable Substitute Packet click this link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ReadWritable-Printable-Emergency-Substitute-Packet-for-Classroom-Teachers-1221328