I know, I am just a substitute and what do I know about your
unique style, your great students, and your special relationship with them. You
do want a good substitute to guard your precious learners and protect that distinct
dynamic. I do understand that, and would love to follow your heart, however it
is not that simple... I know the endless hours you invest in your profession; I
used to do that too. I see both sides. However, I learned from experience that
the special balance you have with your students exists only when you are there.
As soon as a replacement is present, students become the rebellious kids, who
want to play, not to learn…
No matter how much you trust those perfect students of yours,
please leave them with some distinct work, to be completed by the end of the
period; not tomorrow, not next week. It cannot be an ongoing project they are
working on this week, or a paragraph to read, or studying for a test. They won’t
do it! If the work you assign is not on a paper, collectible by me, the preferred
way of accountability, if it is electronic, make sure that the deadline is by the
end of the period. Make sure they know it, they know you are going to check,
and please do so. If they don’t have to show a completed work by the end of the
period, trust me, they would NOT do it.
Please leave with me a seating chart. There is nothing as
magical for behavior control as seating charts. As long as they know I can find
out their names, and they will be answerable for their behavior, they will
behave. Don’t just leave me a note to report to you the misbehaving people.
They know I don’t know their names and they trust their friends not to tell me.
Please leave me some space on your white, or black, board,
where I can find room to put on the date and my name. I would also like, if
possible, to write your instructions on the board, just in case someone will claim
I never told them…
Whatever instructions you gave the students before I came,
please give them to me too. I would like to be informed of what I am supervising, and what your expectations are. I want to be able to tell students to do their
work, and to know they really do have work, otherwise I will have to trust
their word that they have nothing to do…
And… when they tell you I was mean, it is OK to sympathize
with them, if you need their affection, but please be assured in your heart
that I was doing my job…
