Responding to the mandates of the Educational Reform Bill in Texas, new emphasis has been placed on the role and responsibilities of substitute teachers. This paper describes a 5-hour substitute teacher seminar that all substitute teachers and aide applicants are required to attend. The 2-day seminar focuses on the contents of the "Substitute Teacher Handbook" and also includes presentations by regular elementary and secondary teachers on the practical problems faced in a "real-life" classroom. Excerpts from the handbook cover general instructions for substitute teachers, the substitute teacher's responsibilities to the schools, the responsibilities of the regular classroom teacher, and how a substitute teacher can contribute to the school district's public relations. (JD)