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You only get one chance to introduce yourself as a substitute teacher, so make the most of your first impression! When substitute educators present themselves with strength and confidence, they can better manage student behavior and feel more assured in front of the classroom.
Start with a greeting.
Grab students' attention with a firm, confident greeting.
“Hello, class,” or “Good morning, everyone!” work well. Keep in mind that it takes somewhere between a split second to seven seconds for people to form an impression about someone they've just met.
Say (and write down) your name.
Introduce yourself with your name and how you’d like students to refer to you. For example:
“Good morning, everyone! My name is Mrs. Quinley. You’re welcome to call me Mrs. Q, for short. I’ll be your substitute teacher this week.”
Remember to write your name on the whiteboard — your students may forget. If you have an interesting anecdote about yourself, you might include that when you share your name. (It will help the students remember you.)
Establish your credibility.
Provide some background and reassure students that you have the skills to facilitate today’s topic and answer their questions.
You might mention any former teaching experience or familiarity with the subject matter. If you’re new, don’t emphasize your lack of experience; instead, highlight the areas of expertise you do have.
Assert your expectations.
Establish your expectations from the top.
- How will you get their attention? See article about attention getters.
- How would you like them to ask questions?
- Will you begin class promptly or allow students a few minutes to mingle?
- What would you like students to do if they finish the lesson early?
- How will you handle disruptions or poor behavior? See article about classroom management.
You can review the district’s Student Code of Conduct for any specific items you wish to address and for guidance on handling classroom issues.
Outline your approach.
Share your game plan for the day. If the teacher leaves you a lesson plan, give students a general outline.
Pro tip: substitute teachers should always have ready-made lesson plan ideas if one is not provided or if students happen to wrap up early. Educational games like age-appropriate trivia (asking questions based on content in their textbook) or Snowman (guess the word before the Snowman is built) are always a hit.
Own your substitute status.
Be transparent about the fact that you’re a substitute teacher. You'll teach differently than their regular teacher and might not have the answer to everything. Encourage students to provide respectful feedback if there is something you can do to better explain or support them through a topic.
Assess your nonverbal communication.
A great substitute teacher introduction begins before you even say a word. Consider how you present yourself nonverbally. After all, our non-verbal cues are as important as our spoken words. To ensure your body language expresses confidence and competence, you should:
- Look directly at students. Appropriate eye contact can increase perceptions of trustworthiness and reliability.
- Stand and maintain good posture.
- Avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms. Otherwise, you’ll seem nervous and closed off.
- Smile. A genuine smile is the foundation for creating a welcoming learning space. At the very least, smiling can help elevate your mood.
- Arrive early. Practice your commute and troubleshoot parking before your first day. Showing up late will immediately undermine your credibility with students.
Develop your “teacher voice.”
One of the main goals outlined in most substitute teacher job descriptions is to maintain a safe, productive classroom space. You are in charge. Your voice and tone can help you demonstrate that authority. At the same time, you want to speak in a way that engages student attention. Aim for an inflection that’s calm, clear, and assertive.
Practice your “teacher voice,” so it feels comfortable in the moment. You might even demonstrate to a friend or fellow teacher to get feedback. Check out this article for more in-depth tips on creating your “teacher voice.”
Practice makes perfect.
Practice and prepare ahead of time. For example, you might draft an outline of your introduction and run it through in front of a mirror. There’s no need to memorize it word-for-word; just get comfortable with the points you’d like to cover so you can speak clearly and command the classroom from the start. Remember to assess your body language while you introduce yourself.
Dress the part.
Your clothing choices and grooming are essential to a poised and professional introduction. Small details like clean hair, trimmed nails, and appropriate attire leave a good impression. Plus, when you dress the part, you’ll feel more secure in your outward appearance, which can boost your overall confidence in your substitute teacher duties.
Your employing school district should have a dress code for employees, but here’s a list of general guidelines for substitute teacher clothing:
- Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and minimal jewelry.
- Wear clothes in which you can comfortably and confidently move around the classroom, get down on the floor, or reach up to the top shelf.
- Opt for business casual pieces (i.e., no jeans).
- Avoid bright colors or anything that might distract students from learning.
- If possible, cover tattoos and remove facial piercings.
Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education.
We have many more quick articles you can read about substitute teaching. Check out all our career advice so you can confidently lead your class.
Want to learn more about substitute teaching? Kelly Education hires substitute teachers for thousands of schools. Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions and share more about opportunities to become a sub teacher with one of our school district partners.
