After another breathlessly chaotic day substitute teaching in a new class, I slumped into the worn office chair loitering bedraggedly behind the teacher desk and poked under piles of papers and half-sticking sticky notes in search of a writing instrument.
What kind of teacher doesn’t have pens in plain sight?
After that tumultuous day, I’d already mentally placed the classroom on my “Do Not Return” list and was ready to flee…but I’d have to leave a note—either some barely useful sketch of information as to where in the curriculum we had crash landed, or more likely, just evidence that I’d been there and tried my best.
What does one write in the aftermath of this disaster?
Why You Should Always Try to Leave a Substitute Note
Your day covering Mrs. Smith’s class went swimmingly smooth? Leave a note before you close up the room and climb back into your vehicle with a renewed optimism for the youth of America.
Your day covering the ninth grade PE class was absolutely unbearable? Leave a note before you hightail it out of that (locker) room without so much as a glance back at its pitiable state.
My conviction is that no matter how lacking or extensive the absent teacher’s preparations were for you, the right thing to do is to leave a note.
How to leave a substitute note for the teacher
Your substitute note should be:
- Professional
- Focused and informative
- Courteous
Be professional
There have been times I wanted to leave nothing but negative outpourings and complaints, but the sub note is not the place to do it.
It’s likely that if the class was a rough one, the teacher already knows it.
If a particular student is in need of accountability, write the student’s name and the behavior. Stick to reporting the facts. Stray away from deciding which punishment should be enacted, because ultimately it’s up to the teacher. I know it’s hard to just remove yourself from the misbehavior, and purely report information, but unless the behavior is egregious (like threats or signs of violence) then it can likely be handled by the teacher upon his or her return.
Be focused, informative, and to the point
I don’t find it particularly professional or helpful to ramble on and insert my own viewpoints in the substitute note. And after subbing in different rooms day after day, you’ll likely see there’s no point in getting that invested, anyway.
I actually tend to make check marks at each point in the lesson plan completed. When I think there is something the teacher should know, I make a little note right there next to the applicable paragraph.
Lunch: check
Recess: check
Math: We got through the first three pages of the lesson, but the students really struggled with the independent work and didn’t finish page 214. (For example)
It’s probable that the teacher will be scrambling to return to normalcy when she gets back and won’t have a whole lot of time to read an entire manifesto or dissertation on the current conditions of education.
Stay on topic.
Be courteous
I always try to thank the teacher at the end of the note.
Even if the class behaved horribly, the teacher took time to put together lesson plans and other things to help me through the day.
Even if the instructions left were not very helpful, I’ll leave a short note with a customary “thank you” at the end before signing my name. It feels like signing off every email with “Thank you,” and is akin to that.
If I did have an amazing day, or there were parts of the day that I thought were especially well-prepared, I make sure to mention it. Thoughtful compliments and showing of gratitude won’t ever hurt, in my book– and it might brighten the teacher’s day. It may have been the sole positive thing that teacher’s read about himself in a long while.
A Substitute Note Example
Here’s an example of a note I might write after covering an elementary class (let’s say 2nd grade):
4/26/2024
The day went pretty smooth and according to plan. We did have to cut the morning meeting short because of the fire drill. During the fire drill, Breckley had a difficult time keeping his hands to himself despite numerous reminders, and I had him walk back to class next to me.
In math, we got to page 291. Several students struggled with regrouping and needed some extra support.
In reading, we completed 3 rounds of centers. I’ve marked the page we left off on in “Charlotte’s Web.”
The class was generally well behaved. It was a great day!
Thank you,
Mrs. S
Here’s an example of a note I might write covering a high school language arts class:
4/26/2024
Periods 1 and 2 got through their textbook pages and quiz. In period 3, two students did not finish the quiz– I’m attached their work here. Periods 5-7 went well, but Brickley left the class early with no warning. After letting campus security know, I switched his attendance from present to absent since he skipped the class. The students were generally on task and finished the assigned work.
Thanks,
Mrs. S
I hope you can see from these examples that I stuck to relevant information as much as possible and reported misbehaviors in a detached, professional way. Though I might have struggled with behaviors in both instances, I didn’t try to cast blame anywhere and ended with a simple “thank you.”
A (Totally Free) Substitute Note Template
You can write a substitute note on the back of the lesson plan, a sticky note found on the desk, or a scrap piece of notebook paper. It’s really up to you.
You can even bring your own paper or stationary if you wish. It can personalize things and act as a sort of calling card. You can be known as the sub who leaves the cute notes. Or the cool-looking ones.
Again, it’s up to you.
I’ve included a link to some simple, classy sub note templates you can print out and use. You can find the sub note template here (I believe you’ll need a Google account to access it).
In search of a positive note you can give to students as a thank you or incentive? Check out my free student note template!
Substitutes: What kinds of notes do you usually leave the teacher at the end of the day? Do you have your no-gos for this kind of communication?
And if you end up using the free substitute note template, let me know how it’s working for you and tag me if you’re posting it on social media so I can see it in action!
Thanks for reading,
Charmaine
