Substitute Teachers Lounge

Send us Fan Mail Here's what I wish teachers would do to make substitute teachers lives easier.

Send us Fan Mail All good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Yo...

Send us Fan Mail Seven years of substitute teaching stories have taught me one crucial lesson: behind every student behavior is a complex inner world most teachers never glimpse. In this anniversary episode, I take you inside the minds of six distinct student archetypes you'll encounter in your classroom this year. Listen as Marie reveals her anxiety about transitioning to high school and losing her hard-won social status. Experience Ben's internal pressure to maintain his athletic reputatio...

Send us Fan Mail Money matters in the substitute teaching world, especially when your paycheck doesn't match that of permanent teachers. The eternal question: Should you spend your hard-earned dollars on classroom supplies?

Send us Fan Mail A substitute teacher reflects on how Generation Alpha differs from Gen Z and how teachers can adapt their methods accordingly. This light-hearted exploration of generational differences reveals that Alpha students are the first fully digital generation, with distinct learning preferences and world perspectives. • Fourth graders are split between Gen Z and Generation Alpha based on their birth years • Generation Alpha grew up entirely in the digital age, making them extremely...

Send us Fan Mail Every substitute teacher knows that what works in one classroom might fail spectacularly in another. This revelation hit me hard recently when several teaching strategies I'd successfully employed with teenagers created unexpected chaos among elementary students.

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what life is really like for substitute teachers navigating classrooms in today's educational landscape? This candid conversation with Felice, a substitute teacher from the Houston suburbs, pulls back the curtain on this vital yet often overlooked profession. Felice brings a remarkably diverse background to her role, having worked as a Department of Commerce geographic specialist and an air quality planner before eventually finding her way into education. After f...

Send us Fan Mail Substitute teaching comes with unexpected social dynamics that we rarely discuss openly. What happens when students loudly proclaim you're their "favorite substitute" while another sub stands nearby? Should you feel proud or guilty when teachers request you instead of other substitutes? Today's episode dives into these delicate situations and explores the sometimes awkward relationships between substitute teachers. I share personal experiences from my recent months in the cl...

Send us Fan Mail Teachers and substitute teachers never truly turn off their "teacher brain," even during spring break. Like comedians and songwriters, educators are constantly collecting experiences, images, and stories that can engage students and improve classroom learning. • Spring break provides opportunities to gather visual aids that capture student attention better than lectures alone • Personal photos from places like the Alamo or experiences like holding a sloth create immediate st...

Send us Fan Mail Physical boundaries in education have always required careful navigation, but today we're tackling the subject that many teachers hesitate to discuss openly – classroom hugs. Drawing from seven years of substitute teaching experience across elementary, middle, and high school settings, I'm sharing personal observations, experiences, and guidelines that have shaped my approach to this sensitive topic.

Send us Fan Mail After six years as a substitute teacher primarily in middle and high schools, I've discovered that elementary school—specifically third grade—has become my preferred teaching environment. • Elementary students are more engaged without smartphones and more enthusiastic about learning • The COVID break significantly impacted middle schoolers, making them noticeably less mature • Teaching the same class of students all day with scheduled breaks creates a better teaching rhythm ...

Send us Fan Mail Substitute teaching requires a unique set of skills that differs from traditional teaching. By exploring seven essential qualities, we aim to equip substitute teachers with strategies to adapt quickly, manage classrooms effectively, and engage students instantly. • Emphasizing adaptability for varying classroom environments • Discussing classroom management without inherent authority • The importance of reading classroom dynamics quickly • Presenting ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores effective strategies for maintaining quiet in classrooms without resorting to yelling. By sharing anecdotes and practical tools, we aim to help teachers create a positive and engaging learning environment while managing noise levels. • Importance of follow-through in discipline • Symbolic gestures promote quietness in elementary classrooms • Auditory cues like clapping help student engagement • Sharing personal experiences in classroom...