Being adaptable is of course crucial in the world of supply teaching, as every school and its pupils are different and bring their very own unique set of challenges. In this article, we explore some of the most important areas that you need to consider to ensure that everything literally goes to plan.
Organisation is key
Whether you’re an experienced supply teacher or embarking on your very first assignment, you need to be organised and that means doing your research on the school or trust in advance. You can even contact the school principal should you have any questions or want to learn more about their values. Make sure you plan your journey in the days leading up to the big day, so that you arrive at the school early. This is important not just in terms of creating a positive first impression but it will enable you to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings and find your bearings.
You will get to meet new colleagues, which is a great opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about the school and its pupils. Make the most of this time as it will also help you to build those key professional relationships that will enable you to settle in. You should also try to get to grips with the size of the establishment and be sure to introduce yourself to other staff such as caretakers and of course, any teaching assistants that you will be working with. And crucially, get a feel for your classroom and its layout so that you know what to expect when the bell rings for class.
Plan your day
Preparing lesson plans in advance is quite possibly the most important thing you need to do. Even if the teacher you are covering for has left some instructions, you can’t assume that this will be the case. You’ll also be able to find plenty of resources online to help you with ideas which will enable you to bring variety to your teaching and cater to different student learning styles. The key point to bear in mind is to have plenty of options and ideas up your sleeve should the need arise.
You will be apprehensive, which is to be expected as there are many unknown variables, especially regarding the behaviour of the pupils under your tutelage. You must however endeavour to smile and appear relaxed even if you’re nervous inside. Importantly, you need to build a rapport and connect with the students, while getting to understand their specific needs. You may already be aware of any special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) requirements and issues. Keep calm, introduce yourself (a little humour always works well), be assertive and get to know everyone by name.
While you would never wish to encounter unruly behaviour, any supply teacher must be prepared for this to happen at any time during the day. This is why it’s critical to be aware of the school’s behavioural policy so that you can follow it should any disciplinary measures need to be taken. The chances of having to deal with disruption will inevitably be greater if you are a new teacher, as pupils will notoriously try to push their luck. But you have to remain steadfast under such circumstances and reiterate the policy and next steps that might follow should behaviours get out of hand.
Making your mark on day one
If you have a teaching assistant with you, you will need to work as a team to deliver the lesson plan. But if you don’t, you have to navigate the situation as best as you can and deal with any misbehaviour appropriately and swiftly to minimise disruption. But before you know it, you’ll be in full swing, delivering your lesson plan and getting the pupils used to your teaching methods. Having a few games, stories or songs ready to deploy is a smart strategy as there will be times during the day when students will lose focus. Adding a competitive element can also add to engagement levels.
Once your teaching day is finished, you’ll no doubt feel exhausted but exhilarated. You’ve made it past perhaps the most challenging point but your work is not yet done. Make sure you leave thorough handover notes for the regular teacher, highlighting how your day went and any challenges that you encountered. Be sure to thank your teaching assistant and say goodbye to any other staff you may have met on the day. This will create a positive impression and improve your chances of being called back to the same school. And don’t forget to get your timesheets signed if required.
Furthermore, you may also be expected to mark work before you leave, so you should always be aware of the school marking policy at the start of the day. You don’t want to add to the work burden of other teachers. Finally, make sure you leave everything as you found it, so tidy up and rearrange desks or tables as you see fit. The returning teacher will take note of any disorder and report back.
You’ll learn so much from every assignment, so make sure you take some time to reflect on your achievements. If it’s your first day in a supply teaching role, congratulations, you’ve just taken a huge first step in a rewarding career as a supply teacher.
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