Tips for the substitute teacher. (CM)

In this article, the author introduces innovative activities designed for students to eliminate the teacher's stress of the last days of school. As an elementary teacher for many years and now a substitute teacher, the author states that she had always dreaded the last week of school. To minimize stress and to keep the children learning, she uses…

Argues that if students are made aware of a pending teacher absence and are told that a familiar face will be there to take over, continuity can be maintained. (FL)

Contends that the typical substitute teacher program retains antiquated stop-gap measures of little value to a school. Offers suggestions for recruitment tactics, inservice training, and evaluation. (Author/WD)

The former Chief Justice of the United States, Warren Burger, discusses his elementary school experience with a substitute teacher who taught the elements of government in her classroom. Includes discussion of programing on the bicentennial celebration of the Constitution. (MD)

A civil engineer describes his first day as a substitute teacher. Despite detailed lesson plans and good intentions, maintaining an orderly class environment is far from a "piece of cake." Recess duty is an ordeal, and lunch in the shabby teacher's lounge is uninspiring. The biggest benefit is appreciation of what constitutes a full-time teacher's…

Presents a tongue-in-cheek discussion of whether or not administrators should formally evaluate and provide feedback to substitute teachers, noting the potential legal problems that may occur if an administrator decides to terminate the employment of a substitute teacher on the basis of the evaluation process. (SM)

Concerns about the equitable treatment and payment of substitute teachers are expressed based on the author's experiences as a substitute teacher. (JL)

The experiences of substitute teachers are affected by relations between students and their regular teachers. Students often feel disloyal to their teachers or threatened by the possibility that the substitute will become permanent. Suggests ways in which teachers can help the substitute to make the "guest" experience fruitful. (CS)

Discusses the need for a comprehensive substitute teacher program in schools along with the important components of such a program. Identifies the roles of the principal, regular teacher, substitute teacher, and the superintendent in an effective substitute teacher program. (HB)

This article is an open letter to English teachers by the author, a second-year graduate student in English education doing substitute teaching. She argues that as a substitute teacher, expectations of her teaching abilities and those of most substitute teachers are incredibly low, and that low expectations often result in low performance. Here,…

Discusses a student discipline problem involving a substitute teacher and a student who used foul language in class. The teacher responded with a firm, but venomous, threat that provoked a response from the vice principal's office, but not from the boy's parents. Advocates on-the-spot ethical instruction to maintain credibility and an effective…

Argues that teacher training institutes, school districts, classroom teachers, and substitute teachers need to clarify and define the role of the substitute. (FL)

Comments on the conditions under which substitute teachers work and outlines steps that teachers and principals can take to improve those conditions. Orientation programs, feedback, and increased pay are among the improvements that can be made. (IRT)

In the days before computers, passing on information to substitutes was difficult. Now teachers can individualize their lesson plans to guarantee that substitute teachers and the students will both have a good day. This article provides some plan-ahead procedures that have worked for the author.