We’ve all been there. You walk into class and see an unfamiliar face at the front — uh oh, substitute teacher day. Substitutes have a reputation for being frustrating and ineffective. While some subs are excellent, there are a number of reasons filling in is uniquely challenging. Here are 15 factors that help explain why substitute teachers often struggle:
1. They Don’t Know the Students
Unlike the regular teachers who have built relationships with students over months or years, subs are complete strangers. They don’t know students’ names, personalities, behaviors, needs, etc. This lack of familiarity makes classroom management vastly more difficult. Students tend to act out with strangers.
2. Minimal Background Information
Subs are often given minimal information about the students and classroom routines. They may receive a basic roster but have little understanding of student dynamics. Details about learning needs, behavioral plans, seating arrangements and classroom procedures are lacking. It’s hard to step in effectively blind.
3. Students Dismiss Their Authority
Students inherently don’t respect substitutes’ authority to the same degree as their real teacher. Many kids see sub days as a free pass to goof off and dismiss or ignore the sub’s redirection and discipline. This undermines the sub’s ability to control the classroom…
