Ways to get recommendations!

Since 2020 teaching has gone through milestones never before experienced by those in the profession. Substitute teachers have gone on to look for other jobs outside teaching, and many teachers have as well or are retiring. Hiring for substitute positions is often carried out using automated applications; gone are the days of the School Secretary routinely making a personal call. These companies are hired by school districts to find substitutes that will meet the needs of their schools, and a substitute may never discuss their job assignment or performance with anyone. It is not an easy task to really get to know a school, its Principal, or office staff, and since COVID hit, and most classrooms continued with computer-based learning programs, it now seems almost impossible for substitutes to display their teaching abilities to anyone. Substitute teachers are often at different schools every day of the week. It is difficult to make an impression.

So what can a substitute teacher do to get a recommendation?

Fill your “Toolbox”

  1. If you had a good experience in a classroom, let the teacher know with a note, business card, etc. Leave it in their box (hopefully, you checked it when you last subbed there, but they are often in the staff room)

  2. If it has been some time, try to recall a particular classroom that was a highlight of your subbing experience. Try to get back to the teacher by email noting a particular instance and asking for his/her input suggesting you are going back into the profession and respect their opinion.

  3. You can also create a quick response form for the teacher; what did you notice about my organization, filling in when asked, classroom management, were my notes helpful, etc. Remember to give them a way to return the information to you.

  4. I always left a thank you note and either a chocolate truffle or healthy treat for each teacher I substituted for regardless of the outcome of the day.

  5. If you are fortunate to sub in one school for a while, getting references will be much easier. You just have to ask.

  6. The more prepared you are for almost any circumstance, the more you will be noticed, and that works to your advantage.

  7. Professionalism is critically important, dress for success.

  8. People can’t help but appreciate a ‘hello’ when signing in at the school office, a hello to neighboring teachers, goodbye at the end of the day, make yourself visible.

This cooperative game takes a small bit of effort to prepare, but it sounds like it’s worth it. You can use it in a pinch all year long.

Click here for a Cooperative Game from STEDI

Here's how you'll use it:

  • Print off the activity. Ask permission to use the laminator. Laminate and cut out each block.

  • Pass a card out to each student in the class—double them up for smaller classes.

  • Tell the students to keep the contents of their cards to themselves and not do their activity until the person before them completes theirs. (Next inevitable question: "How do we know who the person before us is?" Answer: "Pay attention and you'll know.")