We can’t do it without you!
Right behind the importance of having professional teachers in the classroom is the need for confident, capable substitutes. Let’s face it—without these two roles being filled, the educational system as we know it simply doesn’t work.
We’re beyond short-staffed. We’re at the stage of desperation. No one working in a school would argue with that.
When I was teaching, I rarely took a sick day. Sure, part of that was thanks to a decent immune system. But mostly, it was because taking a day off created more work and stress. Creating sub plans that would be followed—and that could keep the kids engaged and well-behaved—was exhausting. Add to that the shrinking pool of available substitutes, and I often worried there wouldn’t be anyone to cover my classroom at all. It didn’t exactly build confidence in the system. It made me—and so many others—feel guilty for taking the time we actually needed to rest and recover.
Which brings me to the big question: Why don’t more people want to be substitute teachers?
Well…
- Kids often don’t respond well to change, and their behavior reflects that.
- Teachers sometimes leave plans that are unclear or incomplete (not all, of course!).
- The pay varies wildly depending on the district.
- And walking into an unfamiliar classroom, with no idea of the students, rules, routines, or even where the bathroom is? That’s stressful.
Being a substitute is hard work. But it can also be incredibly rewarding. Substitutes make a huge difference—for the teachers they’re covering and for the students. A confident, capable sub can be a breath of fresh air in the classroom. Kids sometimes need a change of pace, and when that change is positive, everyone benefits.
Ways Schools Can Attract and Support Substitute Teachers:
- Provide a structured onboarding experience. Don’t assume substitutes will figure it out on their own—give them a clear path from application to classroom.
- Start small. Introduce new substitutes to one school or classroom at a time so they can get a feel for what’s being taught, how the lead teacher runs the room, and who they’ll be supporting.
- Offer paid observation time. Invite substitutes to spend a half-day volunteering in classrooms so they can learn the routines, meet staff and students, and get familiar with the building layout.
- Invest in training and professional development. Equip them with tools and strategies for managing a classroom, responding to student needs, and feeling confident in their role.
- Match skills to settings. Help substitutes identify the best fit for their strengths—whether that’s elementary, high school, special education, or art—before assigning them to a room that might set them (and the students) up for a rough day.
Desperate times call for desperate measures—and if schools don’t take the time to support those stepping up to help, we’re doing a disservice to them, to our teachers, and most importantly, to our kids. We need to create an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and sustainable. Because the alternative? It’s already happening. Teachers are burning out. Substitutes aren’t picking up the phone. And too many educators are choosing to come in sick because it’s easier than dealing with what might unfold in their absence.
This has to change.
As a follow-up to Mrs. Bovat’s Survival Guide for New Teachers, I’m working on a new guide—just for substitute teachers. If you (or someone you know) has subbed in the past and has a story to share—good, bad, funny, or frustrating—I’d love to hear it.
👉 Share your story here.
I’m determined to create resources that are honest, engaging, and genuinely useful.
Like I said at the beginning: we need you.
Last modified: July 1, 2025
