Whether it's your first day or 500th day as a substitute teacher, stepping into an unfamiliar classroom with kids whose names you don't yet know can be an unsettling feeling. The job of a substitute can seem like the perfect set up for stress that induces a little bit of "crazy."

This substitute-teacher-horror-story in pseudo news site The Onion tells the tale of one overwhelmed Pamela Kraftt. The ill fated Mrs. Kraftt falls victim to the sub-stress-sickness after students refused to stop laughing. According to classroom accounts: "First, she slammed her palm down on the desk, then she kicked a metal wastebasket, and then she knocked this pile of books off Grace Wendemeyer's desk."

Don't be Mrs. Pamela Kraftt!

Here is a list of suggestions to make your substitute teaching experience go (much) more smoothly than Mrs. Kraftt's.

Before you continue reading, take a deep,cleansing breath. You should also do this before you enter the classroom, and whenever you feel a little Mrs. Kraftt coming on.

Tips For Substitute Teaching

1. Arrive approximately 30 minutes early, not just at the required time.

2. At each school familiarize yourself with locations of fire extinguishers,
emergency exit routes, etc.

3. Keep a sense of humor. It helps both the digestive system and the climate in
the classroom.

4. Expect to be challenged. It comes with the territory at all grade levels.

5. Have some “emergency plans” in case lesson plans are either missing or
inadequate.

6. When in doubt, confused, or otherwise unable to carry out your duties, seek
help from another teacher at the same grade level or subject area.

7. Introduce yourself to the students and write your name on the board when possible.

8. Immediately familiarize yourself with the “helpful students” identified by the
teacher or others familiar with the class. Mention their helpfulness in your note
to the teacher.

9. Don’t feel threatened or uncomfortable when administrators visit your
classroom. They can be a great help in maintaining discipline.

10. Expect interruptions. Fire drills, visits from other teachers, students being
“pulled out” for other programs and services are common happenings.

11. Let the teacher know specifically what lessons weren’t completed in your
detailed note that you leave for the teacher at the end of the day. Explain why,
if needed.

12. Do more than is required. Your extra effort will be noted and appreciated.

DO:

• Locate the faculty lounge, cafeteria, rest rooms and team meeting rooms.

• Check the school's procedure for reporting attendance and absences.

• Ask questions of the students when you're not sure how to do something. There is usually at least one who really wants to help.

• Find out and try to adhere to the regular teacher's time schedule and disciplinary procedures and general classroom management procedures as much as possible.

• Return everything you moved and leave the classroom nice and tidy before you leave.

DON'T:

• Arrive late or leave early.
  

• Bad mouth the teacher, school or administrator.

• Leave your classroom unattended.

• Lose your temper with any of the students; you're only there for a short time!

At the end of the day, reflect on what you will do differently next time. But, don't forget to also reflect on what you did well. Congratulate yourself for getting through either your first day or another day of substitute teaching. It's not an easy job and no one will ever be perfect at it.

Ultimately, just remember; no matter what you do, you probably won't end up being as bad as Mrs. Krafft.

Kristin Syverson