While we all wish our classrooms could be full of students on their best behavior, we know that just isn’t possible. Handling challenging student behavior isn’t easy but we’ve got you covered! First, it’s important to remember to stay calm and collected. All hopes of classroom management fly out the door when you lose your cool. But what do you do when you’re calm but your students are not? What do you do when you’ve exercised all your classroom management skills and the classroom still doesn’t seem that manageable? Here are 6 strategies for handling challenging student behavior in the classro ..read more

Poet and speaker Emilio Montilla is accustomed to staring into a sea of expectant faces. His speaking performances across the Northeastern U.S. have made him comfortable in front of large groups. His audience is a bit different today: it’s all kids. As a substitute teacher in New Jersey, Montilla has found a way to bridge his experience with education and his current love for sharing ideas through written and spoken text. “I focus my energy toward empowering young and old using the vehicle of spoken word poetry.” Returning to schools as a full-time substitute teacher allowed him to engage wi ..read more

Establishing classroom expectations is one of the most important things to master as a substitute teacher. As a sub, you want to get this right so that activities run smoothly, learning outcomes are achieved, and everyone feels happy and safe in the classroom. But how do you set expectations successfully and make sure they follow your guidelines, especially when you’re combating the Substitute Teacher Effect? Below are just a few techniques you can use to establish and implement classroom norms when you’re the teacher of the day. Why set classroom rules and expectations?   View this pos ..read more

As a substitute teacher, you should always leave a detailed thank you note at the end of the day. Here are some tips to writing a thoughtful note that has teachers calling you back again and again! Psst – grab our free, downloadable 1-pager that lists out vital topics to report to the regular teacher. You’ll stand out as a stellar, professional educator! Get your free template 1) Why you should write a substitute thank you note When a teacher is out for a day or two, they will usually feel worried about their classroom. They’ll wonder if their students are doing the work they left behind and ..read more

Like our sub Geo says, “Names can be tough. Four periods, each class. Each period has 20 to 30 students. Well over a 100 students. So learning their names, asking about themselves is key.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Scoot Education (@scooteducation) Getting to know your students is a sub tip that will always help you connect with your students. It not only helps you remember names, but shows that you care! But here are 7 more strategies for memorizing 100+ names really quickly. 1. Use name tents Source: Emily’s World Ask students to write their names in lar ..read more

While we all wish our classrooms could be full of students on their best behavior, we know that just isn’t possible. When your students are misbehaving, what should you do as the substitute lead teacher? How do you de-escalate a situation before it gets out of hand? Handling challenging student behavior isn’t easy, but we’ve got you covered! Here are 6 strategies for how to handle challenging student behavior in the classroom that aren’t just “remain calm.” 1) Lay your cards on the table When the teacher is out, students often feel like having a sub means having a free day. Don’t let this men ..read more

We talk to a lot of candidates. One of the most frequent questions is “What should I do when I interview?” There isn’t one golden answer to ace your substitute teacher interview, but the best advice is to be authentic and keep these best practices in mind. These best practices are for interviewing with an agency like Scoot Education! But if you apply directly to a school, these tips will help you too. Before the teacher interview 1) Get to know your agency Showing an understanding of your interviewer helps you stand out. By doing some preliminary research, you can consider your fit with your ..read more

As a substitute teacher, you’ve probably encountered some students who are challenging to work with. You’ve tried everything, but no classroom management tactic has worked. Greg Kates can relate. He’s one of our substitute teachers in Colorado who has taught both full classrooms and one-on-one as a paraprofessional. In an interview about his experience as a substitute teacher, he shared how he approached challenges with tricky students and behavior. Ultimately, his consistent warmth and positive reinforcement proved to be his most effective superpower. We hope this 3rd episode in our Scoot Str ..read more

Ever gotten stuck on a problem at work, only to complete it with ease after taking a short brain break? The same is true for your students. In middle or high school, some students might view breaks as childish or a waste of time. But the opposite couldn’t be more true. Brain breaks are powerful for motivating students and helping them focus better. There’s many ways to make breaks fun and collaborative as well. We’ll dive into what brain breaks are, why they’re important, and how to incorporate them into your classroom. What are brain breaks? A “brain break” is an activity that gives students ..read more

Teachers have a secret superpower: they know how to hush a room, captivate students, and keep them excited. Master these classroom management skills and you’re well on your way to a smoother teaching experience. Explore our collection of verbal and non-verbal cues and attention-getters for your classroom. Keep more than one in your back pocket to find the attention-getter that works best for you and your students. Happy teaching! Why use verbal and non-verbal cues for classroom management In a bustling classroom, effective communication is key. Quick, engaging cues bring wandering attention ..read more