Having a substitute teacher step into your classroom doesn’t have to mean that learning takes a step backward. With the right preparation, substitutes can keep learning on track, hold students accountable, and carry your routines forward without skipping a beat. The difference comes down to how well you set them up for success.
Here are six ways to make sure substitutes walk in ready for an effective day in the classroom:
1. Invest in training
Preparation doesn’t start the morning of an absence; schools that offer substitute training build confidence and competence before the first bell rings. An orientation on classroom management, emergency procedures, and navigating school systems can make all the difference. Add in resource guides or workshops, and you’ll not only improve performance but also keep your strongest subs coming back again and again.
2. Write lesson plans that teach themselves
Nothing derails a day faster than vague directions. Substitutes need plans that spell out learning goals, walk through each step, and give a clear sense of timing. The more precise the plan, the less room for confusion or improvisation. When subs know exactly what to do, they can focus on teaching instead of playing detective.
3. Make classroom information impossible to miss
Seating charts, schedules, and daily procedures should be current, easy to find, and impossible to overlook. When this information is clear, students see that the rules are the same no matter who’s in front of the room. Order and consistency become the default.
4. Be upfront about behavior expectations
Every classroom runs differently, and substitutes need to know how you expect things to go. Spell out how you handle tardiness, transitions, and group work so subs are left guessing. The clearer the expectations, the less likely the day slips into chaos. Consistency keeps students grounded, and substitutes appreciate having a playbook to follow.
5. Get students ready before you are out
Students behave better when they know what is expected of them. Remind them often that substitute days are still real learning days, with the same rules and responsibilities. When students understand their role in supporting the sub, they’re less likely to test limits.
6. Share quick insider tips
Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference. Which students can help with materials? Where are the logins and passwords? How is dismissal handled? A few notes on these day-to-day details give substitutes the confidence to lead without hesitation. With Fill In Finder, you can easily provide subs with all the essential information they need for a successful day in the classroom.
Stronger Preparation, Stronger Classrooms
When substitutes are prepared, they do much more than keep a class afloat. They maintain momentum, safeguard routines, and provide peace of mind for teachers and administrators. Taking the time to set them up for success is not a nice-to-have; it is essential. The payoff is a classroom where learning continues seamlessly, no matter who is teaching.
At Fill In Finder, we make it easy for schools to connect with the right substitutes and give them the tools they need to thrive. With preparation and the right systems in place, schools can remain strong and resilient, even when absences occur.