Page 28 - EdViewptsSpring2020

resources for their “bag of tricks.” An- potential social media posts of their of your “regulars” to help facilitate
other session can focus on strategies classes while the teacher is out; a substitute orientation sessions. Once
for teaching and classroom manage- few emergency lesson plans that your substitutes have received your
ment. This can be facilitated by a would easily be adapted across district training and some experience
small committee of teachers within the grade and content areas. Maybe a as substitutes, they would be valuable
district. Substitutes can share ideas page with QR Codes to substitute resources to other substitute teachers.
and anecdotes with each other, and resources like nstasubs.org or bit.ly/ Many of the substitute teachers I
engage the classroom teachers in a ToolsForEngagement, or the District interviewed expressed their frustration
dialogue to help substitutes feel con- #hashtag campaigns? It would be with being given tedious, menial tasks
fident in the classroom and prepared helpful to add a page to the handbook on a day to day basis. For example,
to handle challenges as they arise, with guest login information to the in a two-teacher classroom, the
all while establishing a rapport with school tech, and screenshots of second teacher in the room tends to
regular faculty and making them feel attendance platform software, online assume the role of primary instructor
like part of the team. Ongoing engage- seating charts, and how-to’s that when the partner teacher is absent,
ment with faculty will also build esprit make substitutes feel competent in leaving the substitute unengaged in
de corps and enrich relationships your school. the classroom. Substitutes appreciate
between substitute staff and teachers. having the opportunity to teach and
Another valuable tool for training sub- 3. Provide Feedback work with the kids more fully.
stitutes is to arrange time for substi- Substitutes with whom I have spoken Make sure your substitutes are
tutes to observe classroom teachers. specifically asked for more feedback warmly welcomed in faculty settings. If
Utilize your substitute engagement on their skills. The New Jersey students see substitutes engaging with
committee and offer substitutes a Department of Education recommends faculty regularly, they will mirror the
variety of content areas to observe, that Districts develop a consistent respect the teachers have for the subs
so that they can see how to manage district-wide evaluation policy and in the classroom. To whatever extent
and engage students in various class communicate that policy to any possible, make sure your substitutes
sizes, settings, and ability levels. substitute employed in the district. feel like they are part of the team.
Incentivize attendees. Average ESS Policies should include: Perhaps your substitute engagement
Education Substitute Teacher daily • A uniform amount of time that a committee can occasionally call the
pay in New Jersey is approximately substitute must serve in order classrooms and check in on the
$103, which is 8% below the national to be formally evaluated under subs; maybe the substitutes can help
average. If you have dedicated AchieveNJ. themselves to a cup of tea when they
substitutes who show up at PD Day • Where applicable, evaluation arrive in the morning. Wouldn’t a
and spend a day observing teachers, procedures for substitutes Starbucks gift card to the substitute
incentivize them. The school districts I employed through a third party who picks up the most jobs in your
researched offered $5 per day more to vendor contract, since these building be a nice incentive at the end
substitutes who participated in ongoing individuals, although sourced and of a semester?
professional development each year. paid through another entity, are Finally, use social media to pro-
ultimately the responsibility of the mote your substitutes. Showcase
2. Rethink the Substitute district. their efforts on the #supersubs or
Handbook Your regular substitutes would ap- #supersubstitutes campaign. Give
Most school districts provide preciate being observed at least once recognition to the subs who go the
substitute teachers with a handbook during the school year, when they can extra mile. One school district I
of some sort. These handbooks receive comments and suggestions encountered in my research nomi-
usually include maps of the school, that can help them be more effective nates an exceptional substitute of
District policies, a school calendar, in the classroom. Even an unofficial the year, who is honored at a board
etc… All the important information visit from a teacher leader or coach meeting by the nominating principal
any district employee needs to who can offer suggestions, would be and recognized with a plaque for
know. Keep in mind: many substitute well-received. outstanding service. Thank them for
teachers accept work in multiple being on your team. Give awards for
districts. This information can become 4. Create a Welcoming working a certain number of days,
cumbersome and impractical for most Climate and Culture for offer them tickets to athletic events,
subs. Why not include material that Substitute Teachers and find ways to involve the kids in
sets your District apart? For example, One important key to retaining quality making substitutes know that they
how about a section on how to substitutes is letting them know are valued.
engage with the District community: how important they are. Engage
an email address or mobile phone the substitutes more. Recruit some
number where substitutes can send

Educational Viewpoints -26- Spring 2020