As I’m wrapping up my fourth year after I stepped away from my own classroom and having become a super sub (just a fancy way of saying I sub every day at one school…and I get paid a little more for it), I have gained a unique perspective that I’ll take along with me when I return to my own classroom (someday) and I have to be away.

While most experiences I’ve had while being a substitute teacher are positive, I have some teachers that are my favorites to sub for, and there are a few that I dread subbing for.

Here are some tips I’ve learned, as a substitute teacher, that you can use to support substitute teachers while you are away from your health classroom:

1. Leave more work than what you think they’ll need.
No substitute teacher has ever said, “Wow, I wish there was less to do and more time for chaos.” Over-plan like you’re prepping for a snow day (yes, I live in Minnesota…) that never comes. Include simple, clearly written activities that students can do independently (and that don’t require a 15-minute explanation). Bonus points if you include a “backup activity” for early finishers—because they will finish early, and they will immediately ask, “What do we do now?”

One thing I did while I had my own classroom, I’d print out the missing assignment reports from ALL classes for each student (a cool feature in Infinite Campus) and leave them as a back-up to the back-up plan.

2. Have your “people” check in.
You know your people—the first ones you’ll go to to celebrate, have a laugh, or vent to. Ask them to pop in and check on the substitute in the morning. A quick “Do you need anything?” goes a long way. It helps the substitute feel like a human instead of a temporary babysitter dropped into a room of 30 (or more) students who are looking for a “free day” and are ready to test boundaries.

3. Provide a map. (Seriously!)
Especially if you teach physical education, in addition to health, and move around the building like it’s a scavenger hunt. Include your classroom(s), bathrooms, the office, and a “trusted adult” location (see tip #2). Schools are basically mazes designed by people who love hallways—help your substitute get to and from where they need to be in an efficient manner without them having to ask (sometimes scary and rude..that’s a joke!) students for help. Bonus points is to include where a fridge/microwave are for lunch.

4. Write notes like you’re explaining things to a very capable… but very new human.
Clarity beats cleverness every time. Spell out routines, transitions, and any “don’t do that unless you want chaos” details. For example: “Students will try to tell you we always sit wherever we want—this is false.” (Tip #4.5. Provide a seating chart! Tip #4.75. WITH THEIR PHOTOS.) The more you can anticipate confusion, the smoother the day will go.

5. Tell your students what to expect (and how to behave).
A quick conversation before you leave works wonders: “You’ll have a substitute teacher. Show them what our class is all about.” Translation: please don’t act like you’re wild animals. When students know expectations ahead of time, they’re more likely to rise to them—and your substitute might actually want to come back for you again.

A little preparation goes a long way. Trust me—your future substitute (and your students) will thank you.

This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media (including Jessica Matheson, the author of this post) and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com

Pair this blog post with the following:

Using Dice in the Health Classroom by Jessica Matheson

What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Prof. Ash Casey

What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World by Taylor Mali