Things I Wish Administrators and Teachers Understood about Substitute Teaching: Guest Blogpost by Debbie Hattery

Make sure to check out my chat with Debbie Hattery - Episode

For Administrators:

Substitute teachers play a critical role in supporting classroom stability and ensuring that school operations run smoothly in the absence of the regular classroom teacher or paraprofessional. Substitute teachers are not a peripheral part of the education system - they are a structural component of instruction. Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Annenberg Institute, and the Brookings Institution indicates that by the time a student graduates from high school, they will have experienced the equivalent of a full year of instruction with substitute teachers. This reality underscores the need to approach substitute teaching not as occasional coverage, but as an integral part of delivering consistent, high-quality instruction.

For Teachers:

Clear, detailed lesson plans are one of the most important factors in creating a positive and successful substitute teaching experience. When plans are well-organized and thorough, they send a powerful message: this teacher values your time and wants you - and their students - to succeed.

It’s important to remember that no two classrooms are the same. Each teacher has their own routines, expectations, systems, and management style. For substitute teachers, every day is a brand-new environment. They are not just delivering content—they are simultaneously learning procedures, building rapport, and managing behavior in real time.

Walking into a new classroom as a substitute is similar to walking into an unfamiliar kitchen and being asked to prepare a full-course meal. You are handed a set of recipes just minutes before you begin. The ingredients are scattered throughout the kitchen, tools are in unknown locations, and timing is critical. To make it even more complex, 18–24 “assistant chefs” (students) arrive all at once—each with different needs, questions, and levels of independence—and you are responsible for guiding them through the process successfully.

Without clear directions, labeled materials, and thoughtful preparation, the experience can quickly become overwhelming. However, with strong, detailed plans, that same experience becomes manageable—and very often enjoyable.