Last updated on July 26th, 2023 at 04:18 pm
Teachers: Safety for all involved in the school, from the students and staff to visiting parents, is a nonnegotiable. Maybe you do prioritize classroom safety while you’re there, but you may not realize what gaps need to be filled in your absence. I’ve been a guest to hundreds of classrooms, and they have ranged in the amount of safety measures implemented. It can take a few quick fixes to set up your substitute (and students!) for the most success. Here are my top tips for best equipping your substitute in this crucial area:
Post clear and visible emergency procedures
In the school district I sub in, the emergency plans are posted in the same area of each classroom. If this isn’t consistent in yours, please ensure these plans and routes are clearly identifiable so that a new person to the classroom can spot them instantly. It also helps to have an emergency folder that provides a roster. Please be sure to update your roster every time you gain or lose a student. I know it’s easy to forget– but build that into your routine every time your class list changes. Even though this information should be easy to find, ensure the substitute is aware of it by mentioning it in your lesson plans.
Post a clear and visible phone list near the phone
You may be surprised to find that I’ve actually been in classrooms where the phone list was not near the phone. (Perhaps those teachers make it a personal challenge to memorize number sequences.) Along with the posted phone extension list, highlight a few helpful numbers. Who can the substitute call if there is a health emergency or safety issue? Who can the sub call if there is an urgent behavior concern? I’d suggest having the following extensions highlighted: clinic/healthroom, assistant principal or admin who can assist with behavior issues, the front desk, and your grade level team lead.
Provide a seating chart
I cannot stress this point enough. Most teachers don’t include a seating chart, so it’s my very first order of business after locating the plans. I find a piece of paper and make a chart based on nametags usually attached to the desks. If there are no name tags, I wait until the students come and recruit a reliable-seeming student to help me fill in the names. All of this work could be avoided, though, by including a seating chart with the plans.
including the seating chart really is the difference between setting up your sub for a thrashing hurricane of a day and relatively calm waters. A list of names is not enough, because the names mean nothing to this new person. (I’m sorry! It’s not a fun game to guess who is who.) When a guest teacher can put together a student with his or her name, that teacher can more accurately and quickly identify who is missing from the group. Identifying the students by name also drastically improves behavior outcomes. And it’s generally better to refer to the students by name instead of having to rely on pointing, vague descriptions or “Hey, you.” Don’t skip the chart.
Provide necessary information about students
If you have students with needs, such as those outlined in an IEP or 504, please include a quick summary of those needs and accommodations. I wouldn’t suggest including the whole IEP document. That can get overwhelming for a substitute to have to parse through in the few minutes he or she may have to look at the day’s lesson plans. If the student has been known to cause safety concerns, I would mention it along with how you’d like the substitute to handle certain events. Try writing it in a way that doesn’t alarm or overwhelm the sub but still gives the necessary information. Your class and the guest teacher deserve to be equipped with the same safety strategies that you have when you’re there.
Easy-to-access emergency supplies for classroom safety
Many schools include an emergency folder within easy reach to provide all staff with the knowledge of procedures and exit routes. If your school does not have a system in place for providing these handy items, I strongly suggest you implement this in your classroom. It could be a folder or bag. Make sure it easily spotted and within reach. Mention the emergency supply bag at the top of your lesson plans.
Examples of what to include in the emergency bag:
- Class list
- Bandages
- Emergency routes
- Health room passes and pen
- Bell, chime, or other noise maker
Create substitute plans prioritizing classroom order and behavior
In my experience, the more orderly and well-behaved students are, the more I am freed to focus on teaching and ensuring safety protocols are properly followed. A substitute constantly putting out fires due to student behavior is likely to get distracted, frazzled, or not fully able to have space to think, let alone navigate emergencies effectively.
Student behavior makes a big difference on the day for the students and substitute. This ultimately includes how safe the day will be.
Things you could do to increase chances of better student behavior include:
- Solidify routines through modeling and practice.
- Make clear that expectations are the same with you as well as any guest teacher.
- Simplify lesson plans so they are easily understandable for the substitute and the students are familiar with the activities. (New or complicated lesson plan items tend to be recipes for chaos with the sub.)
- Include enjoyable activities for the class so they aren’t stuck with boring busy work. This keeps the students engaged and less likely to veer off course.
- Consider letting your substitute access your behavior management system
For substitutes that are reading this, I’ve also written about how best practices for maintaining classroom order while a guest in a classroom. In this post specifically, I detail some of my favorite phrases substitutes can use to make the best of situations.
Setting up for classroom safety even when you’re gone
By implementing these tips and leaving clear, workable lesson plans, you can set up your guest (and your students!) for success. You can’t control what happens when you’re gone. But you can create greater chances of safety success. And if emergencies occur in your absence, you will have provided the best supports possible. Would any of you add anything to this list? I have plenty of other articles and tips on substitute teaching here on the site. Thanks for being here!
