21Permanent Teacher Preparation for Substitute Teachers Permanent Teacher Preparation for Substitute Teachers

The question of how good a substitute teacher can be is oftenasked by administrators, permanent teachers, and even substituteteachers themselves. In an interesting study authors Trent and Ghilotti (1972) presented some striking information about the perceptions of substitute teachers and permanent teachers. According to their study, substitute teachers give themselves high marks for their work while permanent teachers and administrators give them significantly lower marks. What is the cause for this disparity and what can be done about it? In the field of organizational communication, communicating expectations is the first step to achieving one’s goals. If what is expected is not communicated, there is bound to be the type of disparity mentioned above. Substitute teachers think they are doing a great job based upon their perception of what is required, while permanent teachers and administrators tend to have different expectations. In order to improve this situation, more and better communication between the permanent and substitute teacher is in order. The following provides information about what should be communicated to substitute teachers and why it is important. The Role of the Substitute Teacher Substitute teachers provide two very important functions: classroom management and instruction. These two items are not mutually exclusive, but the former tends to receive more attention than the latter. Whatever the reason for this focus, poorly prepared materials and lesson plans left for the substitute are usually the result. Leaving a substitute without guidance basically guarantees that the instruction will be lacking, regardless of the substitute’s classroom management skills. What do substitute teachers need? Substitute teaching is not an innate art. Though the required skills can be developed and everyone can succeed in this capacity with the right training, experience, and supplies, much more than excellent management and interpersonal skills is needed. The substitute teacher needs to be provided with certain tools by the permanent teacher to facilitate a successful learning day in the classroom. Classroom Management Tools Classroom management is the foundation upon which instruction takes place. If this foundation is not present, there will be no instruction