SUBstantial News
District Information
June/July/August 2013
St. Tammany Parish Schools
Substitute Program
321 N. Theard Street
Covington, LA 70433
Mailing Address:
PO Box 940
Covington,LA 70434
Phone:
985-898-3254
Fax:
985-898-6471
Summer Office Hours:
May 28th-July 26th
Monday-Thursday
8:30a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Ten Classroom Management Tips
1. Have a starter activity on the board
that students can work on when they
walk in the door.
2. Continually walk up and down the
aisle looking for the things students are
doing right and praise that behavior. Your
proximity will keep most students on task
and since you are praising appropriate
behavior will help others stay on task.
3. Remember that students respond
better to positive than to negative
consequences.
4. Most teachers punish students for
inappropriate behavior whereas great
teachers PREVENT inappropriate
behaviors from happening. They do this
by constantly recognizing those students
who are on task and keeping students
busy.
5. Ignore inconsequential behavior.
Inconsequential behaviors are actions
that are annoying but don’t affect the
learning environment. If you ignore these
behaviors, they will usually go away
within 30 seconds.
First Aid Basics
Classroom and playground accidents
should be handled with common sense
and as a substitute teacher you should
become familiar with the specific policies
and procedures in the schools where
you teach. The following are a few
basic guidelines that will apply in most
situations.
Quote of the month
Anyone who stops learning
is old, whether at twenty or
eighty. Anyone who keeps
learning stays young.
- Henry Ford
6. There are some behaviors you will
need to address: these are called
consequential behaviors. Consequential
behavior needs to be handled noncoercively or in a non-threatening way.
7. Remember the only behavior you can
control is your own. Be sure to remain
calm and in control of your emotions and
respond that way to students.
8. Avoid using sarcasm with your
students. Whether you realize it or not,
any sarcasm you use will destroy the
safe environment you are trying to create.
9. Be assertive to show your authority.
Use statements such as:
“I need you to…”
“I want you to…”
“I don’t need…”
“I don’t want…”
10. There are two words that can stop
most protests from any student and let
you take control of the situation. These
words are: “I understand.” These are two
simple words that no one can argue with.
�
who are bleeding to participate in
class activities until the bleeding has
stopped and the wound has been
cleaned and completely covered.
(Tip: A good rule of thumb is if it’s wet
and not yours, don’t touch it!)
1. Students with minor injuries should
be sent to the office or school nurse
to receive first aid.
4. Do not move a severely injured
student or leave your class
unattended to get help. Send a
student or another teacher to get
help when needed.
2. Never give students any kind of
medication including cough drops or
over the counter pain relievers. Only
the school nurse or other designated
personnel should administer first aid
or dispense medication.
5. Report all accidents and injuries,
even minor ones, to the office and
in your report for the permanent
teacher. Some schools may have
accident report forms that you will
also need to fill out. �
3. Learn and follow school policies for
handling situations involving blood/
bodily fluids. Do not allow students
SUBstantials by STEDI.org – for substitute teachers about substitute teaching • copyright ©2012 STEDI.org
SUBstantial News
The ABC’s of Professionalism
Arrive 20 minutes early to substitute
teaching assignments, if possible.
Never leave the students unsupervised.
Only take things that are essential during
the school day. Leaving purses and
Create a starter activity if none is found in wallets locked in your car or at home is a
good idea.
the lesson plan.
Be creative if no seating chart is left.
Demonstrate a positive, happy
appearance.
Even though it’s difficult, confidentiality is
important. Avoid talking about students
outside of the school setting.
Follow the lesson plan. Always.
Gain respect from others by showing
respect to others.
Have fill-in activities available in case the
lesson plans end early.
Introduce yourself to the teacher next
door.
Jeans and flip-flops are not appropriate
dress for substitute teachers. Slacks or
skirts are appropriate.
Keeping students until the bell rings is
essential.
Leave a substitute teacher report for the
permanent teacher. Detail the events of
the day.
Make sure you answer the phone
yourself in the early morning hours.
Put together a SubPack with rewards,
motivators, and fill-in activities.
Questions are important. Make sure to
ask higher level thinking questions as
much as possible.
Report to the main office. Ask the school
secretary if there are any extra duties you
may be in charge of.
Set expectations early in the day.
Teaching isn’t the filling of a bucket, but
the lighting of a fire.
Use the resources found at STEDI.org
and BusStop.STEDI.org.
Volunteer yourself to the office during
class periods you don’t have students.
When speaking with faculty, staff, or
students always be polite and respectful.
X-amine and reflect after each day. It’s
important to recognize what you did well
and what you can improve upon.
You can make a difference.
Zap any thoughts of negativity as soon as
they enter your mind. �
Things you need to know!
NOTICE:
Address and Phone Change for Substitute Office.
Please review district information on first page of newsletter.
It is also posted on AESOP.
If you have any questions, you may reach me at the following email address:
[email protected]
Please see our webpage at www.stpsb.org under Substitute Information for ongoing
workshop information and registration forms for technology workshops for substitute
teachers.
Have a safe summer!
Rebecca Becnel, Human Resources Coordinator
SUBstantials by STEDI.org – for substitute teachers about substitute teaching • copyright ©2011 STEDI.org