Simsbury Public Schools
Welcome to Substitute
Teacher Orientation
On any given day . . . .
Approximately 274,000 substitute teachers
serve in this country’s classrooms. By the time
a student graduates from high school, he or
she will have spent the equivalent of a full year
being taught by a substitute.
Teaching Vignette
Simsbury Teaching Standards
Content Knowledge
Teachers understand and apply essential skills, central concepts, and current instructional
methodologies in their subject matter or field.
Learning Environment
Teachers promote student engagement, independence, and collaboration through the
establishment and maintenance of a positive learning community.
Planning
Teachers utilize effective lesson design to plan rigorous and relevant learning tasks that
enable students to construct deep meaning and to develop skills necessary for their
success in a global community.
Instruction
Teachers implement instruction designed to engage students in rigorous learning and to
develop critical skills needed to solve relevant problems.
Assessment
Teachers use multiple measures, inclusive of formative and summative measures, to
analyze student performance and progress in order to inform subsequent planning and
instruction.
Professionalism
Teachers maximize support for student learning by exhibiting a high level of
professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement and learning.
Collaboration
Teachers actively engage in meaningful collaboration with colleagues on the topics of
teaching and student learning.
Simsbury Teaching Standard #1:
1. Content Knowledge
Teachers understand and apply essential skills,
central concepts, and current instructional
methodologies in their subject matter or field by:
a)
b)
c)
Demonstrating discipline-specific knowledge and skills as
described in national and state professional teaching
standards;
Using content area literacy skills to enable students to
construct meaning through reading, writing, listening,
speaking, viewing and presenting/creating; and
Applying current research and practice in their subject
matter to develop appropriate instructional
methodologies.
Simsbury Teaching Standard #6:
6.
Professionalism
Teachers maximize support for student learning by
exhibiting a high level of professionalism and
commitment to continuous improvement and learning
by:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Demonstrating respect and responsible behavior in all
communications and interactions with stakeholders of the learning
community;
Reflecting regularly on their instructional practices and professional
responsibilities;
Seeking out and participating in learning opportunities to enhance
skills related to teaching and meeting the needs of all students;
Understanding the legal rights of students in order to create and/or
implement individualized plans accordingly; and
Demonstrating behaviors as defined in the Code of Professional
Responsibility for Educators.
Bullying
A. Repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral, or
electronic communication, such as cyber bullying, directed at or
referring to another student attending school in the same school
district
B. A physical act or gesture by one or more students repeatedly
directed at another student attending school in the same school
district that:
i.
causes physical or emotional harm to such
student or damage to such student’s property,
ii.
places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself
or herself, or of damage to his or her property,
iii. creates a hostile environment at school for such
student,
iv. infringes on the rights of such student at school,
v.
substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly
operation of a school.
Professionalism
 Self-image and portrayal as professional
to students, staff, and community
 Feel and act the part – they will perceive it
General Rules of Conduct
Rule #1: Be attentive and Present for the benefit of all
students in the classroom to ensure safety
o Do not give an assignment then sit to read the paper
o Do not leave the classroom
o Do not make personal phone calls
Rule #2: Computer Use at Work
o Policy
o Never use the internet to surf inappropriate web sites!
Rule #3: Do not gossip about classes or students
o Whether you are in the teachers’ lounge or anywhere else, do not let a
conversation develop into one of complaining, ridiculing, or spreading
innuendoes about students or staff
Rule #4: Political, Religious and Social Beliefs
o By sticking to the teacher’s lesson plans, you will avoid proclaiming your
opinions or attempting to convert students to your way of thinking. Be
respectful of the student inquiries, but stick to the lesson at hand.
 Rule #5: Be friendly, positive, and enthusiastic
o Firm and friendly control
o Be pleasant and demonstrate an interest in their assignment
o You want the students to be cooperative and hopefully deeply engaged
Exercising Professional Judgment
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Maintain a professional barrier
Keep classroom door open
Do not leave your students unsupervised
Use verbal praise and reinforcement
Do not lose your temper
NO corporal punishment
Be respectful of diversity in students
Use only proper humor
Be confidential (what happens at school stays at school)
Avoid criticizing others
Classroom Management
 Focusing
o Demand the attention of the classroom before
starting the lesson
o Silence on the part of the teacher can be very
effective
 Direct Instruction
o Tell the students exactly what will be
happening in class today
Classroom Management
 Monitoring
o Circulate around the room
Check on progress of working students
Provide individual assistance as needed
Quiet, calm voice
 Modeling
o Model courteous, prompt, enthusiastic, in
control, patient, and organized behavior
The “do as I say, not as I do” method sends
confusing messages to students
Classroom Management
 Non-Verbal Cuing
o Flip Light Switches
o Facial Expressions
o Body Posture
o Hand Signals
o Be sure to explain to the students what you
want them to do when you use the nonverbal cue
Classroom Management
 Low-Profile Intervention
o Much confrontational escalation can be
avoided when the teacher’s intervention is
quiet and calm
 Do not fall for giving negative attention
o Use an inconspicuous approach to
misbehaving students to lessen classroom
distraction
o Use the students name in your dialogue in
a natural way, “And you see, David, we
carry the one to the tens column.”
Classroom Management
 Use Positive Reinforcement
o Notice when children are behaving and are
on task and point it out
o Verbal is fine – but it doesn’t have to be – a
nod, smile, or a “thumbs up” will reinforce
the behavior as well
o Find something to compliment the students
on about their work or classroom
Discipline Practices
 Treat all students with fairness, impartiality, and responsible fairness
 Be alert – spot behavior problems early
 Students will test a sub
 Stress to the students that they must assume some responsibility for their
actions
 Speak privately with students who cause problems, if possible
 Avoid reaching an impasse with a student
 Seek administrative assistance when necessary – but do not lean too heavily
on this option
 Watch attention spans
 Do not leave the class unattended
 Adhere closely to the regular teacher’s normal routine
Arrival in the Morning
 Arrive early – 30 minutes prior to student start time
 Check in at school office
 Always dress professionally
 Review the teacher lesson plans
o Locate necessary teaching tools
 Be sure you can find the answers to:
o Student Passes
o Special Procedures
o Duties
o Students referral to office
o Attendance
o Restrooms/Teachers’ Lounge
o Introduce yourself to the teachers on both sides of you
o Review class list and plans for special needs of students
Daily Student Interaction
 Meet students at door with confidence
 Write your name on board
 Review expectations and/or rules if posted
 Get students engaged right away
 Remind students of homework
 Have students straighten up their areas
 Be fair, positive and respectful
Conclusion of Day
 Write a brief report about your day and leave it
for the permanent teacher
o Include information on student behavior, how far you
got in the lesson plans, etc.
 Correct papers where required, neatly organize
student work
 Close windows, turn off lights, and make sure
room is in good order
 Check in at the office on your way out
 Stay approximately 15 minutes after the closing
of school or until last bus leaves
Paperwork Requirements
 Substitute Teacher Application
 Resume
 Official Undergraduate Transcripts or
Certification (CT)
 3 Reference Letters
 Proof of Fingerprinting at CREC or Simsbury
Public Schools
 Tuberculin (TB) Test
 Federal and State Withholding Forms
 I-9 Immigration & Naturalization Form
 Policy Acknowledgement Forms
Substitute Caller Procedure
Pam Sottolano, Substitute Caller
o (860) 651-3540
Communication – key to success
Will call by 10:00 pm night before or after
6:00 a.m. morning of
Simsbury Public Schools
Thank you for Coming!