Seamless Transitions: From Teacher to Substitute and Back Again

Abstract

This article provides best practices for both teachers and substitute teachers; not only will these suggestions help teachers and substitutes, but they will also help ease the transition for students and maximize learning while their teacher is away. Practical examples of strategies for teachers are included such as phonetically spelled class lists and concise substitute folders with need to know and nice to know information to be communicated to the substitute. Advice for substitutes to transition the teaching space back to the teacher is also included.

Notes

1 According to Merriam-Webster (n.d.), a substitute teacher is a teacher who teaches a class when the usual teacher is not available. This may be due to illness, appointments, or other reasons. While other terms have been used, such as guest teacher or supply teacher, this article will use the term substitute teacher.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alexandra L. Stoddart

Alexandra L. Stoddart ([email protected]) is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Nicole Cameron

Nicole Cameron is a teacher at the Saskatoon Public School Division in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.