March 2014

District Information

Quick Tip

Quote of the month

Smile while talking with students and giving instructions.

St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Human Resources Substitute Program 321 N. Theard Covington, LA 70433 Phone: 985-898-6447 Fax: 985-898-6471 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aesop website for Substitute Teachers/paraprofessionals: www.aesopeducation.com Aesop Phone system: 1-800-942-3767

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

–Thomas Jefferson

Communicating with the Permanent Teacher A Substitute Teacher Report is a precious commodity for a permanent teacher. If substitute teachers take a few minutes to fill out a Substitute Teacher Report, the permanent teacher will be able to return to the routine of the classroom smoothly.

Some substitute teachers keep copies of blank Substitute Teacher Report forms in their SubPack. Others write a letter to the teacher at the end of the day or make notations on the plans left by the permanent teacher throughout the day followed by a few concluding sentences after students have gone home.

More important than the format you use is that your Substitute Teacher Report contains the information the teacher will need to understand what did and didn’t happen while they were gone.

The following are key points you should be sure to include:

1. Students who were absent, arrived late, or left school during the day.

2. Messages for the teacher (both from parents and the office).

3. Changes or adjustments that were made to lesson plans.

4. Additional work assigned or activities completed by students.

5. Any accidents that occurred in the classroom or on the playground.

6. Explanation of any serious behavior problems that occurred and how they were handled.

7. Recognition of students who were especially helpful.

8. At least one positive comment about the class as a whole.

Visit The Bus Stop Blog (busstop.stedi.org) to download a free Substitute Teacher Report.

Classroom Management: Firm, Fair, and Fun Three key attributes of successful teachers are being firm, fair, and fun. Your ability to emulate these qualities will have a significant impact on the behaviors students exhibit in your classroom. Students respect and respond well to teachers who demonstrate that they are not easily swayed by student pleas or protests and who treat all students the same regardless of ability, personality, or past experience. They also appreciate when a substitute teacher is an enjoyable person to be around. Firmness and fairness are wonderful qualities that are necessary when substitute teaching. When these characteristics are coupled with being fun and enjoyable, a substitute teacher will easily be respected and well liked. While no step-by-step instructions exist for being firm, fair, and fun in the classroom, here are some suggestions for these three areas.

Be Firm The ability to be firm is directly related to establishing realistic expectations and consequences. It involves saying what you mean, and meaning what you say. When expectations are not met,

consequences must be enforced. The quickest way to throw firmness out the window is to make unrealistic expectations (e.g. the classroom is to be silent for the rest of the hour), or threaten consequences that cannot be carried out (e.g. I'll get your parents to come sit with you). Be realistic in what you expect and don't make threats you can't (or shouldn't) carry out.

Be Fair Being fair as a teacher has two different components. First, you need to be fair in your interactions with different students. You can't enforce consequences for misbehavior with one student and overlook a similar behavior with another student. Second, you need to be fair to the class as a whole. Your expectations and associated consequences should be communicated before any activity. Making up the rules and consequences as you go isn't fair. Students need to know what you expect and what the consequences will be so they can make informed choices regarding their behavior.

continued pg. 2

March 2011

Continued Classroom Management: Firm, Fair, and Fun Be Fun Sometimes when talking about being firm and fair it sounds like it is required that substitute teachers be rigid. Being a “people person” is a great characteristic in teachers because students respond well to teachers who are likable. Substitute teachers can be fun and enjoyable by appreciating the students they work with. It is easy to enjoy someone when you feel like s/he enjoys you. Laugh with your students and express warmth and kindness to each student. By doing this, you will likely experience these feelings in return.

Being firm, fair, and fun are a wonderful combination of characteristics for substitute teachers. Being clear in expectations from the beginning of the class, following through with positive and negative consequences, as well as enjoying your students are great ways to ensure a successful substitute teaching experience.

Things you need to know!

Students will not be in school on March 21, 2014 due to record keeping day and professional development day for teachers. St. Tammany Parish Public Schools will be CLOSED for Spring Break April 18-25, 2014. Classes will resume April 28, 2014. May 23, 2014 is the last day of school for students for the 2013-2014 school year.

Job Fair is June 3-6, 2014. Please review and complete a Certificated Application from the Human Resources Department if you would like to apply for the upcoming school year for any Certified Positions. The application can be completed on-line at www.stpsb.org. A completed application must be on file in Human Resources by May 1, 2014 to be invited to Job Fair. Job Fair is by invitation ONLY. All other jobs are posted on our website at www.stpsb.org under EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.