Responding to School Emergencies – Without Knowing Every Code When you step into a new classroom as a substitute teacher, you’re entering a space with its own routines, expectations, and emergency procedures. School districts use different codes for different situations,…
End-of-Day Reflection Checklist Stepping into someone else’s classroom—often with little notice—requires flexibility, patience, and a strong sense of professional presence. One of the most effective ways to grow as a substitute teacher is to reflect on your day: what worked,…
Effective Strategies for Handling Misbehaviour Managing misbehaviour is one of the most challenging parts of substitute teaching—but it’s also one of the most important. Because substitutes step into unfamiliar environments with limited time to build rapport, having a calm, consistent,…
Effective Time and Transition Management Strategies Smooth transitions and smart time management are essential for keeping a classroom focused, calm, and on track—especially for substitute teachers who may be stepping into unfamiliar routines. When transitions are structured and predictable, students…
How to Encourage and Reward Positive Behaviour as a Substitute Teacher One of the biggest challenges substitute teachers face is stepping into a new classroom culture and guiding students toward positive, respectful behavior—often with little time to build relationships or…
Top 5 Challenges of Substitute Teaching — and How to Overcome Them Substitute teaching is a vital role in education—but it comes with unique challenges. Whether you’re new to subbing or an experienced substitute teacher, here are five of the…
Backup Plans for Substitute Teachers (Grades 1–12) Perfect for unexpected no-plan days, early finishers, or moments when you need to keep students learning and on-task. Every substitute teacher needs a reliable set of backup activities — simple, meaningful tasks that…
Example Sub Report: How to Communicate a Smooth, Clear End-of-Day Summary A well-written Sub Report not only helps the classroom teacher understand how the day went—it also shows professionalism, builds trust, and increases your chances of being asked back. Below…
Monday Motivation #5 – “Progress, Not Perfection” Quote of the Week: “Strive for progress, not perfection.” — Unknown This Week’s Thought: No day in substitute teaching goes perfectly — and that’s okay. Every classroom, every lesson, every interaction is a…