Success for Guest Teachers

Just about every teacher needs to be away from the classroom at some point during the year. Whether you’re away for a half day, a day, or several days, you’ll want to make sure that the time goes smoothly for your students and for the guest teacher.* Here are some things to think about when preparing for a guest teacher:

Schedules

It may be tempting to plan something different to make the day with the substitute feel more special. But in your absence, “different” or “special” may feel uncomfortable to your students, with the end result that the day will actually go less smoothly than if you’d stuck with your typical schedule.

Routines

Be specific in your lesson plans about any special routines or traditions the class has. For instance, if you typically begin math with a warm-up activity, choose an easy one for the substitute, but do not have her skip it.

*About the term guest teacher

Referring to substitute teachers as “guest teachers” conveys a sense of authority, welcome, and respect. After all, they are a teacher and a guest of the class. This simple change in terminology can help everyone experience a smoother day.

Other Ways to Help Things Go Smoothly

• Choose several students the guest teacher can ask about the schedule and routines (rotate this role among students over the course of the year).
• Discuss ways the class ways can take care of each other and the substitute while you’re out (for example, do what the substitute says even if it’s different from what you would do, treat the substitute teacher with the same respect with which they treat you and with which you treat each other, remind anxious classmates that you will be back soon, etc.). Write these ideas on chart paper and leave them for the substitute to review with the class.
• Model and practice being with a guest teacher. For example, have a colleague pretend to be the guest teacher and act out doing activities in the wrong order. Model how to respectfully let them know the correct order.