Successful Substitute Teacher Training Resources
August 2004
Items Available at Wayne RESA’s Instructional Media and Technology Services Center: This is a sample of items available, check the online catalog (http://161.57.201.6/search~S4) for additional materials.
Sprick, R.S., Howard, L.M. (1995). Substitutes: Planning for productivity and consistency. [Video recording]. Two videocassettes (27 and 50 minutes each) three manuals and two computer disks. A resource for administrators, faculty, and substitute teachers intended to increase the productivity of students during those times that a substitute teacher is in the classroom. Contents include: setting the stage for the substitute, the essentials of classroom discipline for substitute teachers, substitutes: planning for productivity and consistency, supplementary materials for school staff, and the essentials of classroom management. [LB2844.1.S8.S8]
Instructivision. (1991). Finding Success as a Middle School Substitute Teacher. [Video recording]. One twenty-minute video cassette. Focuses on the unique task and role of the substitute in the educational process. Covers administrative expectations, discipline techniques, communication tips and other suggestions. [LB2844.1A.CV]
Suggested Articles: For help in locating these articles, or for help in searching for additional articles, see Lisa Newton, Wayne RESA Library Assistant, (734)334-1439 or newtonl@resa.net
Dorward, J., Hawkins, A., Smith, G.G. (2000). Substitute Teacher Availability, Pay, and Influence on Teacher Professional Development: A National Survey. ERS Spectrum, v. 18, n. 3. p. 40-46.
A national, randomized survey of 500 school districts revealed that availability of qualified substitute teachers is problematic and varies by region, district per-pupil expenditure, type of community, student enrollment, and associated full-time equivalent staffing ratio. Administrators believe this shortage jeopardizes regular teachers' professional development.
Duebber, D. (2000). Substitute Teaching: Sink or Swim. Educational Leadership, v. 57, n. 8. p. 73-74.
Advises new substitute teachers to be prepared, tote emergency activity folders, dress professionally (but wear flamingo earrings), be early, figure out the game plan, communicate expectations to students, enforce consequences, have a gimmick to reward cooperation, relish the teachable moment, leave the room tidy, and believe in themselves.
Fleury, M. (2000). Confidentiality Issues with Substitutes and Paraeducators. Teaching Exceptional Children, v. 33, n.1. p. 44-45.
This article offers guidelines to first-year special education teachers concerning confidentiality issues, especially in relation to substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. Guidelines address what to do if the teacher is absent and what to do if teaching assistants are absent. Also provided are several Web resources on confidentiality.
Henderson, E., Protheros, N., Porch, S. (2002). What we know about: Developing an effective substitute teacher program. Arlington, VA: Educational Research Service.
Designed to provide schools with help in addressing the challenge of recruiting and retaining excellent substitute teachers.
Tannenbaum, M. (2000). No Substitute for Quality. Educational Leadership, v. 57, n. 8. p. 70-72.
A survey of superintendents from seven New Jersey counties revealed that most districts provided little training for substitutes or teachers using them, despite employing an average of 5,320 subs weekly. Teachers, substitutes, and students provided suggestions for improvement. Substitutes prefer schools with strong support systems.
Welsch, R.G. (2001). Substitutes with Significance: Increasing the Impact of Substitute Teachers in Special Education. Teacher Education and Special Education, v. 24, n. 4. p. 373-82.
This article suggests ways to develop effective substitute special education teacher programs. Suggestions are framed around the Standards for Staff Development created by the National Staff Development Council. Detailed recommendations on substitute training and support systems stress the need to address appropriate context, process, and content.
Wilson, K. (1999). Working with Substitute Teachers. Principal, v.78, n.3. p. 43-44.
Resolving the perennial problem of substitute teachers' high turnover and low availability is feasible, if principals welcome, orient, and assign them properly. Regular teachers should prepare a folder containing class lists, daily schedules, seating charts, expectations of students, and meaningful lesson plans. Substitutes should be treated as professionals.
Web Resources:
Educator’s Reference Desk
(Online). Available: http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi/Resources/Teaching/Substitute_Teachers.html (Available 15 August, 2004). Links to resources on a variety of educational issues, including lesson plans, periodical articles, resource guides – including for substitute teachers.
Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators
(Online). Available: http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/index.html (30 July, 2004). This site has links for lesson plans, teaching tools, and more.
Michigan Department of Education
(Online). Available: http://www.michigan.gov/mde (30 July, 2004). This site includes links for parents and family, educators, administrators and more. Some of the more useful links for educators include:
K – 12 Curriculum and Standards, Available: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753---,00.html Provides content standards and benchmarks for all content areas.
Professional Preparation, Available: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5234_5683---,00.html Includes information on teacher preparation, certification and testing.
Michigan Teacher Network
(Online). Available: http://mtn.merit.edu/index.html (30 July, 2004). This site has lesson plans linked to specific Michigan curriculum standards and benchmarks.
ProTeacher Community:
(Online). Available: http://www.proteacher.net/ (30 July, 2004). Includes a links to a discussion board specifically for substitute teachers.
Substitute Teaching Institute:
(Online). Available: http://subed.usu.edu/ (30 July, 2004). This site, sponsored by Utah State University has resources for substitute managers and substitute teachers, including a free newsletter, state by state substitute requirements, a daily lesson plan, and a bookstore.
Teacher Vision:
(Online) Available: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6284.html?detoured=1 (30 July, 2004). This site has links to substitute teacher resources, including substitute teacher kits.
USA Today Education
(Online). Available: http://www.usatoday.com/educate/substituteteachers/index.htm (30 July, 2004). This site has a free online class on using the newspaper in the classroom that is geared specifically for substitute teachers.
Wayne RESA Job Openings – Online at: http://www.resa.net/personnel/ (30 July, 2004). Jobs available in Wayne County.
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