How to Be a GREAT Substitute Teacher in 2025

What makes a good substitute teacher? If you want to be a great substitute teacher that schools keep calling back, then you’re in the right place.

I worked as a substitute teacher for about 6 months, before being hired as a full-time teacher. So, I see it from both perspectives; as a substitute teacher, but also as a teacher who has substitutes come in as a replacement.

Remember, that as a substitute teacher, your main goal is: to keep the kids safe, and engaged for the day.

Follow the plans, and stick to them as much as possible – at the same time, know that anything academic that happens is a bonus. The main goal of your job each day is safety, well-being and engagement.

What makes a good substitute teacher? It may depend on who you ask – the teachers sometimes have a different answer than the students and the admin – but all in all – the qualities and behaviours of a good substitute teachers are:

• flexible
• patient
• firm, but fair
• warm and approachable
• organized

I have listened to my students’ thoughts on what they liked and didn’t like about substitutes, and have noticed what things I appreciated (or didn’t so much appreciate) as well.

I’m going to share with you

• the keys to being an amazing substitute teacher
• qualities of a substitute teacher that will have both teachers and students asking for your return

Ps. Where I’m from in Ontario, we tend to use the word ‘supply teacher’ so, if you see that word throughout the text, you know what it means!

7 Keys to Being the BEST Substitute Teacher

Here are a teacher’s tips on how to be widely accepted by students, and have teachers begging you to come back

1. Following the plans, while using critical thinking to make adjustments along the way

Substitute teachers should try to follow the plans as much as possible, but they should also use professional judgement to determine if something isn’t working, or needs tweaking.

Even as regular teachers, we are constantly assessing whether something is going well, or whether we need to backtrack and try something else.

As an effective substitute teacher, you may need to be prepared to do this too.

Whenever I left a plan for my supply teachers, I always made a note that said “feel free to modify plans if you see fit.”

The reality is, you may find that some of the activities they leave for you don’t work. Whether it’s because:

• there’s some technology they’re expecting you to use that isn’t working
• you aren’t able to get the kids regulated enough to cooperate with you
• things simply aren’t going the way the teacher (who wrote the plans) may have predicted

You’re the adult who is there in the classroom.

If something isn’t working, consider making modifications or changing it up. You are a professional that can think critically about the situation and see if it’s working or not. And if it isn’t, then make changes as you see fit.

Of course – be sure to let the teacher know about any changes you made.

2. Have a few ideas up your sleeve

Another part of being an effective substitute teacher is having a few plans up your sleeve for cases where:

• something the teacher has planned isn’t going to work out
• the students finish the work the teacher left early
• there are no plans at all (which is rare, but could happen in an emergency)

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have a literal ‘bag of tricks,’ worksheets or activities that you carry around everywhere.

But have some idea of ways you could keep the kids busy, in case you need to. These could be ideas in your head, or even a folder in a Google doc, that you can access and print off.

This article has great early-finisher or alternative ideas for substitute teachers.

3. Keep Calm. Never enter a power struggle with a student

Students are notorious for, unfortunately, not showing the same respect to a visiting teacher as they do to their regular teacher.

This can vary and look different based on which grade you teach, and the overall culture of the school.

But overall, expect the kids (regardless of age)to test you to some extent. It is natural for some of them to want to see what your boundaries are, and what they can get away with.

Students may for example, try to challenge you or try to start an argument with you in front of their peers. Don’t get sucked into it. Maintain eye contact, give them a simple instruction (such as ‘sit down and work’) and tell them that you will talk to them later.

While you want to remain consistent and firm, part of classroom management as a supply teacher though, is not to enter these ‘power struggles’ which often only put on a show for the class.

4. Be helpful and supportive

You may not be the regular teacher for the day, but that doesn’t mean you’re just a babysitter. You’re a teacher, and should try to help them with the academic side of things where you can.

You may not always be familiar with what the class is working on, so here are some tips:

• Circulate the classroom. This leaves you available in case someone needs help
• Ask them to explain what they’re working on to you.
• Take a growth mindset approach with anyone who is getting discouraged or struggling

5. Knowing what to let go, and what not to

I personally don’t like the phrase ‘pick your battles’ but sometimes, as a substitute, this is exactly what you need to do.

This means that you can’t call the office about every challenge you have. And there will be things you don’t like, but you also can’t move mountains in a single day. Trying to change or improve everything all at once every day

You want to take your job seriously, but not so seriously that you’re setting unattainable expectations for yourself.

It takes some good judgment to make sure that you’re letting the right things go, and focusing on the things that need your attention right away.

Here are some guidelines:

6. Communicating with the teacher about how the day went

I’ve never met a teacher who didn’t appreciate receiving some communication about how the day in their class went with a supply.

Not getting any communication is frustrating, because we don’t know where you left off or how we should proceed unless we have some idea what you completed.

So, always leave a note (hand-written or email) for the teacher, detailing:

• what was finished
• if anything in the plan did NOT get done (and if so, where you left off)
• if there were any issues

7. BONUS: Bringing your unique talents, personality and perspective into the classroom

To be a good substitute teacher that both the teachers and students will want to come back, you will want to remain consistent, firm, and kind.

However, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Students will appreciate that.

One of our favourite supply teachers at the school I worked at was a magician in his spare time. He would offer to do magic tricks to the class at the end of the day, as a reward for good behaviour. Both the teachers, and kids loved it.

Now, I’m not saying that you need to learn magic. But, think of what makes you unique as a person and as a teacher. Maybe it’s your empathy and kindness, or that you’re funny.

These are things that both students and school staff will appreciate about you, too.

A Student’s Take on What Makes a Good Substitute Teacher

The following was written by my 11-year-old daughter, with added notes by me. Students tend to view the situation differently from how you may intend, and it’s important to consider how they may be seeing and experiencing things

1. “Don’t exclude any of the students.

  I’ve had a lot of substitute teachers. One of them was nice, but when they gave out candy, they only gave it out to some kids. Not all of us, and that made some of us feel left out.

They did it all the time, only giving candy to the kids who were sweeping or doing a different productive job at the end of the day, which sort of makes sense, but is still unfair.

For example, my job in the class is handing out papers, and it’s annoying when me and my partner don’t get candy, when the sweepers do instead. So if you want kids to like you, then maybe don’t do that.”

Teacher’s Note: You may use candy as a reward to encourage good behaviour. Most classroom management books advise against this, however – some substitutes view it as a necessity, which is their prerogative. If you do use candy as a motivator, try to ensure that each child receives some, so that it never appears as though you favour some kids over others. If possible, I recommend focusing on candy as a whole class reward rather than just some students getting it)

2. “Be available to help the kids.

Once a substitute teacher didn’t help us or tell us what to do or anything. She just said, ‘You guys know what you’re doing, right?’ Some of us weren’t even at school the previous day, when we started the project.

“It’s important to know what you’re going to teach, and if the teacher didn’t tell you, then ask the kids. We’ll tell you what we’re working on, and maybe if it’s like a division project, and you know division, then you could help us if we need it.

Once a substitute teacher gave us the answer sheet, so we could figure out tricks to remember. She gave us the answer sheet while we were working on the math.  She was nice, but it would’ve been nicer if she told us in her own words.”

(Teacher’s note: This is a good example of how much students love to help. Ask them for assistance, or any questions you have about how things are run in their class – you will have no shortage of kids who want to explain how things are done in their class.)

3. “Don’t lose your temper.

No one really likes a substitute teacher who yells all the time, it’s really annoying, and then there’s always a kid who complains to our teacher and then our teacher just says ‘If you were good, like I asked, then they wouldn’t have to yell.

Then she takes away privileges, and everyone’s in a bad mood for the whole week.

Plus once a kid even cried during gym, and everyone got overprotective and ganged up on the substitute. So, don’t lose your temper!”

Teacher’s note: Never, ever lose your cool or let the kids see that they’re getting to you.

4. “Let the kids carry on with class rules

Okay, so in my class, we have rules that we always stick with, such as:

1. Bathroom dismissals. Our regular teacher lets us have boy in the bathroom and one girl in the bathroom at once. I had a substitute teacher who made us do, only one person leaves at a time. What’s the point? There are two different bathrooms! 

2. Class jobs. Usually, students are given jobs to do around the class, like sweeping, or recycling, or whatever. It’s annoying when substitutes don’t pay attention and give a job to a random person.

 Maybe you could ask the teacher beforehand if there are any rules or something for the class. That would be good!”

Teacher’s note: The above frustrations show that students will normally push back or be frustrated if you change the rules to be different from what they normally are. This doesn’t mean you should never change rules (again, you should use your professional judgement.) However, I would recommend sticking to the regular rules, until you have a reason to believe they aren’t working. If they aren’t working, don’t call out a specific student. Simply say that you think something else would work better – and state your modification to the rule.

Being an Effective Substitute Teacher FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about how to be a good substitute teacher

What is the number one common trait of successful substitute teachers?

The most important common trait for substitute teachers to have is that they are patient. Patience will be key. It is not easy to be in different classrooms each day, adapt to different routines, and work with children who are not used to you. It takes a lot of patience to have the resistance to be a good supply teacher.

What are the qualities that make for a strong substitute teacher?

The most important qualities for a substitute teacher are: flexibility, adaptability, kindness, patience, self-regulation and fairness.

What is the most difficult task for a substitute teacher?

The most challenging tasks for substitute teachers is often gaining the respect of the students. Younger grades will likely be easier to ‘buy in’ than others. The older the students are, the more likely they are to challenge the supply teacher and test boundaries.

How to succeed as a substitute teacher?

To succeed as a substitute teacher, you’re going to need to quite resilient; adaptable, patient, and not take things too personally.

Final Thoughts on Being a Great Substitute Teacher

I hope that this article has filled you with tips on how to be a good substitute teacher. While the best substitute teachers prioritize health, wellbeing, safety and engagement above all else, it helps to know a few tips to make the day go by as smoothly as possible.

Once you know the key to effective substitute teaching, the job will get easier over time. I’ve known many people who have chosen to supply teach for the rest of their career (as opposed to becoming a full-time teacher) because they love the flexibility and freedom, and don’t have to deal with difficult parents, or deal with many of the other cons that come with full-time teaching.

I hope that the tips above are able to allow your supply teaching career to be easier and more fulfilling! Be sure to take the time to destress after work.