LDISD Substitute Expectations

Dress 

An employee’s dress and grooming shall be clean, neat, in a manner appropriate for his or her assignment, and in accordance with any additional standards established by his or her supervisor and approved by the Superintendent--Board Policy DH(LOCAL).  Each campus may have special dress days, i.e. Hawaiian day, Western day, NFL day, etc. Jeans should not be worn unless there is a designated “jeans” day. The substitute may or may not choose to participate in these special days. The district shall have the right to appraise any current fashion and determine whether it is appropriate or inappropriate for school wear. The district has the right to ask employees to change their attire if it is of such a nature that it provokes unfavorable comments.

Evaluation of Substitutes

The district must continuously be aware of the quality of substitutes employed. Evaluations are important when considering the substitute for long term or full time employment. Timeliness, compliance with campus rules and procedures, classroom management and the ability to implement the classroom teacher’s instructions are essential. Substitutes may be observed, evaluated and reassigned as deemed necessary by the campus principal. 

Cell Phones

Cell phone usage should be limited to breaks or lunchtime. Cell phone usage is not allowed while in class or in hallways.

Substitute folders

Sub folders (printed or online) should include the following items: 

• Daily lesson plans made out in sufficient detail 

• Weekly time schedule of classes

• List of students’ names and seating chart

• List of students in reading or cooperative groups 

• List of supervisory responsibilities (noon duty, bus duty, etc.)

• Fire drill and other emergency procedures 

• Essential or unusual information about any child (special schedule, health, medication, etc.)

• List of names of students especially capable of giving reliable aid

• Forms for reporting attendance and lunch count at the elementary level

• List of classroom rules and regulations

• Special instructions as needed

Lesson Plans 

• Follow the classroom teacher’s lesson plans as closely as possible

In the Classroom

• Be at the door greeting students as they enter.

• Report serious accidents or illnesses to the principal or nurse immediately. 

• Introduce yourself and try to learn student names. The first step to good classroom management is to set an approachable tone.

• Avoid changing the seating arrangement or any other aspect of the classroom organization or routine except for temporary grouping of pupils for instruction or cooperative groups.

• Strive to maintain high standards of ethics and avoid comparison of teacher-pupil learning situations. Hall supervision is a responsibility of all teachers, especially when pupils are entering or leaving the building. Middle School / High School: If you are not assigned a specific station, please stand outside your door to monitor hall activity during passing periods and at arrival/dismissal. 

• Leave a brief progress report of the work assigned, as well as any other information that would be helpful to the returning classroom teacher (bulletins, parental notes, assignments, parental notes, and praises and/or problems). Before leaving, be sure that all equipment and material used during the day is properly stored and that the room is left in an orderly condition.

• If possible, grade any written work that you have assigned before you leave the building.

• Proper discipline or classroom order is a prerequisite to good teaching. Be firm and businesslike. Should you have some difficulty with discipline, please seek the assistance of the principal or assistant principal. When completing a “long term” assignment, the substitute should attend all scheduled meetings (i.e. faculty, grade level, departmental, etc.). In case of doubt, check with the building principal.

Helpful Hints

• Be firm and fair

• Be professional

• Communicate with each child in a kind, just, and patient manner (talk with students-not at them)

• Demonstrate self-confidence and self-control

• Maintain dignity

• Respect every child and staff member

• Be enthusiastic

• Be prepared to adjust to several kinds of instructional settings

• Make directions clear and concise

• Be prompt

• Follow normal classroom procedures

• Ask for help

• DO NOT leave students unsupervised