Blog
I Need a Drink!
I was walking back towards the school after dismissing a kindergarten class with a couple of parents from the parent council. I was really thirsty and had just been too busy to fill up my water...
When Students Swear at You
It's shocking! You're not expecting a student to swear at you, but it happens. What do you do? The most important thing is to stay calm. Don't take it personally. It isn't about you - it's about the...
Breaking the Taboo of Saying We Love our Students
It is taboo to say I love my students. Because of the safety concerns with children, it has become taboo to express love for students - to hug them or to say we love them. Of course, we want to keep...
Winner of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario’s Writer’s Award for “Substitute Teaching?”
My book, "Substitute Teaching?" won the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario's 2016-2017 Writer's Award!! Award recipients' names will be screened at the Annual Meeting in August and published...
How To Make Money over the Summer
Ok, so as Substitute Teachers we aren't paid over the summer (spoiler alert!). I've blogged before about saving a bit each month for the summer but in case you needed that money for frivolous things...
Preparing Students for Substitute Teacher
Home room teachers have the job of preparing their students for a Substitute Teacher. Often students dread this more than going to the dentist, so it's important to help them keep an open mind. Here...
People Frozen in Time Gets Student’s Attention – Pompeii
Sometimes I need to get the student's attention at the beginning of the lesson. Sometimes I need to get their attention back so we can go on with the activity or another activity. Here's one way I...
How to Help Children with Autism as a Substitute Teacher
The office told you that you had a student with autism in the class and to call if you needed help. He's not happy you're there because you aren't his teacher and you don't know how to do things the...