Contingency Plans for Substitute Teachers

Marcus Lee Johnson
(Developmental and Learning Sciences Research Center, University of Cincinnati, USA)

Abstract: Though many K-12 educators will be asked to serve as substitutes at some point in their career, literature concerning practical strategies for educators to employ when they are asked to substitute is scarce. The typical substitute experience will often be guided by a lesson plan, however, there may come a time in which a substitute teacher is confronted with the scenario of having to cover a course in the absence of both the homeroom teacher and lesson plan(s). The nature and content of this paper involves descriptions of instructional strategies that substitute teachers can employ should lesson plans not be available. Additionally, short stories of how some of the strategies have been employed and brief explanations on why/how they can be effective are shared.

Key words: substitute teachers, lesson plans, contingency plans, substitute folder