She had taught for a long time.  One student told me she lived in Venezuela, where the Spanish is a little different from the more common Mexican Spanish we have in Oklahoma.  She lived in Venezuela for about 25 years.  On her desk were two coveted items that would be reminders for her to keep working hard even when she gets tired of it all. . . She had been teacher of the year twice!

I enjoyed her classroom and the students.  I asked two students what class is like when the teacher is there.  They told me she likes it quiet.  I thought it had to be a little noisy to practice the Spanish but they said for the most part, it's quiet.  She teaches Spanish 1 through 4.

They were just "baby" students.  They were all eager to learn and to be good like I wanted them to be.

But sometimes their energy overtook them and they could hardly be still.  This was obvious at rest time right after lunch and recess. 

One student had the name of Lucky.  He was cute as a button.  His parents dressed him in a shirt that said, "I'm cute and adorable."   I wonder if he knew what his shirt said and that it made him even cuter.

After coming in from lunch recess.  All the students were lined up getting drinks.  Lucky came up to me with his hand covering his mouth.  His cheeks were puffed out.  I thought he just needed a drink so I told him to go stand in line for a drink and then stand against the wall to wait. 

Then about a minute or so later I saw him.  His hand was still covering his mouth.  He needed to throw up.  A big trash can was nearby so I pulled it down for him.  There wasn't too much. Then a kind teacher came by and told me to take him to the office.  She watched my class while we went.

Lucky came back about an hour later.  He was feeling okay.  For some reason his parent wasn't able to pick him up.  He had about one more an hour left before school was over.  He was full of energy when he came back to class at the end of the day, just as if nothing had happened. 

2.  Read through the lesson plans for each session.  Almost always the teachers have typewritten plans laid out on their desk or podium.  Make notes of details that are important.  Make sure there is enough work to keep the students from talking in each class.  If there are not adequate plans, in a friendly way, ask a neighboring teacher or nicely ask in the office or teacher's lounge if you could get some copies made.

4.  Write your name on the board

5.  Be at the door as the students enter, this will set the standard that you are in charge.  If a student must leave after they have entered the classroom ask them nicely where they need to go. 

6.  Stand at the door where you can be observant of hall activity (other teachers appreciate your help in watching the hall) and can watch your classroom also.  Tell the students in a respectful way that they should be in the seats because class is about to start.

Do not let students sit in the teacher's chair or write on the chalkboard.

7.  After the bell rings, come in, shut the door, slowly look over each student in the class.  This will probably quiet them down because they wonder what you are doing.  (Take about a minute)

If students are tardy, have a paper ready that they must sign for themselves.  At the end of the day, leave a note for the teacher telling him/her that students were tardy.  (I usually do not leave specific names of tardy students because it is usually enough that they had to write their name down)  If the teacher wishes he/she can get on to the class in a general sense for being tardy.

8.  Tell the students who you are and tell them you have two rules:

One is "Don't talk when I'm talking."

Two is "Be respectful."

And then, I usually explain why I have these rules.  I tell them I want them to do good on the assignment the teacher left for them.

9.  I quickly mention, "If you're in the wrong seat you need to move (please)."  (This sets the standard that you are aware of their wrong activities.)

I like to leave the impression with the students that I respect them but they must do their assigned work.  Just because I'm a sub, they do not get the day off to be noisy, disruptive and talkative.

10.  Next I take role.  (Since I have a hearing problem) I tell them when I say their name, they need to~

raise their hand

look at me

and say, "Here."

If there is a seating chart available it will be helpful.  If a student is not in the specific place that he needs to be.  I say something like, "Could you please move to your correct seat. (The student begins moving.)  Then I say, "Thank you."  Sometimes I asked with a puzzled look and enquire, "Why aren't you in your correct seat?"  (They reply.)  And then I politely reply, "Could you move there please?"

After I fill out the absent form for the office, I usually say, "I need a trustworthy soul to take this to the office."  Several students will raise their hand and I usually pick the student that raised their hand first or looks responsible.  I then thank them.

11.  I write the assignment on the board (before class).  And then go over it.  I tell them if they have a question to raise their hand and I will come to them. 

Many times the students ask if they can work in partners.  I always say no because it almost always lead to disruptions and noise.

It is important to keep the class quiet because students focus better and make better grades if there is quiet.

Whenever possible, I try to correct the class in an overall way.  If I can tell the students at the start to not do certain things then I have warded off the problem before it ever began. 

I try not to single out students but sometimes I have to.  When I do single out a disruptive student I try to speak with patience and politeness.  Most of the time, they know their doing wrong!  I give them a verbal warning that they need to stop their wrong actions and then if they continue I give the disciplinary action.

12.  If the class is quiet and two students start talking.  Pass by them in the aisle.  If talk continues stand nearby watching.  I usually fold my arms as I listen to them talk.

I don't mind quiet whispers but about 90% of the time if you allow this, the whole class will usually start talking and for the most part, the class will not go back to a quiet state.

I hold off on "ultimatums" as much as I can.  An ultimatum would be to write a student's name down.  The school district I sub for has a general policy if a student's name is written down they will get afterschool detention. 

If the whole class is in an uproar or a single student is being very disruptive I call the principal's office.  For example, a student may make fun of me when I turn away from him/her and then the class laughs.

If a student is talking too much, I will warn them that I will isolate them if they continue and then I ask that they please stop.  Every classroom needs at least one desk where a student can be isolated.  The desk or table should be facing a wall.

13.  If a class has been disruptive, towards the end of class I will tell them everyone must remain in their seats until the bell rings.  And when the bell does ring, I will give them permission to leave.  (This will set a precedent to the students for the next time I substitute for a class they may be in.  It sends a message that the classes I teach will be orderly.

14.  Whenever possible, leave the classroom door open.  Sometimes safety policies will not allow this.  If I can I leave the door open, especially when I have a quiet hard working class this lets the other teachers know I have control of the class.

15.  Leave the classroom neat and orderly.  If possible, sort the papers so they will be easier for the teacher to grade.  (Grade them if time permits.)  Write a quick note telling about the classes.  Thank the teacher for the opportunity.

I had my first job last Friday.

I could tell the students were excited.  I could feel "the buzz".  They dived into their math assignments.  I tried to tell every class that I hope they had a great year.   I told a couple of the classes I hope to see them around because I plan to sub a lot.

I like it when I have the opportunity to speak directly with a student~

One asked me had I subbed at schools before I told him yes.  Last year I subbed at a big nearby school district. 

Another girl, Bonnie, smiled and said, "I know you."  We used to be neighbors.  I told her we still had the kitchen table we bought from her and that it was a good one.

I needed to confirm that the class was the correct one for a couple of students.

One girl confidentally came to me and told me she would be in my third hour class and then said her name.  This was intentional.  After she left I focused on saying her name a few times in my head so I could recall it when she came to class.

This small district has two police officers.  One of them asked me if Kelly Services had provided me with a badge.  I told him no.  I was a little nervous at the end of the day wondering if someone would consider me an IOC (intruder on campus) but nothing happened.  I need to tell them that I walk to and from work.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. --1 Thessalonians 5:11

Each school year a fifth-grade teacher assigned her students a very special writing assignment. She asked them to write a nice sentence about each classmate.

It could be something they liked about the person or something they thought the person did well. The teacher then went line by line and put together a list for each student of all the nice words their classmates had written.

When this special teacher retired, many of her former students, who are now adults, came to her retirement party. But they carried with them more than just good fifth-grade memories. One by one, each student took out faded, well-worn sheets of paper...the treasured lists of encouragement.

One woman in her 20s told the teacher that whenever she felt down, she would open her scrapbook and read those words. A 40-something-year-old man admitted he carried his list with him in his wallet. Those positive words left a powerful, lasting impression!

Have you ever had someone say something nice that boosted your spirits or heard a kind word that made you smile?

Maybe you know someone who lives alone. Imagine how a timely phone call to see how they are would help. Perhaps writing a note to a friend who is ill might boost their spirits. There's so much you can do and say today to encourage those around you with the love of Christ!

Prayer Challenge: Thank God for those timely, positive words people have said to you, and ask Him for opportunities where you can encourage others today.

This also happened to my husband when he was in college on a choir tour.  Everyone was told to write out what impressed them the most about each person.