In a classroom full of diverse learners, everyone needs attention, asks a multitude of

questions, and requires different solutions. It can be disconcerting for the regular
teacher, so imagine the plight of a substitute teacher, who enters a different classroom
with unique learners each day. The challenges are even greater, but with a few basic
skills, substitute teachers can maintain instructional momentum and positively impact
classroom culture throughout their job assignments.

Best Instructional Practices for Diverse Learners

A passion for educating young people motivates teachers to strive to meet the varying
needs of a classroom of diverse learners. It’s hard work that requires getting to know
learners well enough to assess and understand their needs and idiosyncrasies.
Challenging enough for regular classroom teachers, it can be nearly impossible for
substitutes who are with students for a short time. But with some basic practices that
can be applied in a variety of classroom settings and content areas, it is possible to
address students’ learning needs even in the short term of a teacher’s absence.

Understand child development

Though a substitute meets students on a temporary and transient basis, having a basic
understanding of the typical capabilities of children at various ages and developmental
stages is essential, as well as the diverse ways they learn. Knowing details like attention
span limits and capacity to follow multi-step directions provides a starting point for
meeting students’ needs in the classroom.

Learn names and use them

While substitute teachers may be with students for a short time, making an effort to
address them by their names makes a difference. As a first step toward meeting
students’ needs, it shows a personal connection and acknowledges students as
individuals. A seating chart is very helpful here.

Be consistent

Even while a substitute teacher is adapting to the newness of each classroom

assignment, consistency is important. Since it affects both classroom management and
student security, consistency helps to establish an environment conducive to all types of
learning.

Make connections

New learning is facilitated when students can connect it to prior knowledge and past
experiences. When a substitute teacher takes time to share their own connections and
gives students the opportunity to verbalize theirs as well, it provides scaffolding for the
lesson. It helps students anchor new learning to something familiar and may help
auditory learners absorb more information.

Be flexible and make adaptations

While regular classroom teachers have the advantage of time to learn about their
students’ individual needs, substitute teachers most often do not. Being flexible is a
quality that will allow a substitute to quickly recognize a need and make adaptations for
it.

Utilize cooperative learning techniques

Acknowledging the social nature of students and recognizing that cooperative learning
provides a strong foundation for learning, experienced substitute teachers are motivated
to use this instructional strategy successfully. Though it requires careful oversight and
solid classroom management, allowing students to learn with and from each other is
worth the effort.

Use informal assessments

Skilled substitute teachers use frequent checks to see if students are comprehending
the lesson. From sketching a quick K-W-L chart with student input, to asking “what
questions do you have?”, to inviting them to give a “thumbs up” if they understand,
frequently assessing student learning allows substitutes to make needed adjustments.

Maintaining Diverse Learning Best Practices During Teacher Absences

In spite of the relatively short amount of time spent with students, a substitute teacher
can impact classroom culture and influence student learning in a positive way. Starting
with a few key teaching practices, professional substitutes can evolve as practitioners
when they are willing to learn themselves.

By listening to, observing, and learning from students, substitute teachers absorb what
works. A willingness to collaborate allows them to work alongside classroom
paraprofessionals and special education staff, acquiring additional skills along the way.
Employing a few adaptable instructional strategies allows diverse learning momentum
to continue under the supervision of substitute teachers.

Ensuring Substitute Teachers Have the Capacity to Support Diverse Learning

Like teachers, many substitute teachers are motivated by a passion for student learning,
but they typically have much less time to develop relationships with their classes. As a
result, it can be much more challenging to ascertain student needs. However, by
mastering a few key instructional practices, substitutes can maintain a positive
classroom culture where student learners feel supported.

Ensuring that every one of your substitute teachers starts out with these important basic
competencies is possible when you partner with an education staffing agency. They will
work with you to understand your needs and design a customized program to share
these instructional practices with your substitutes. Through face-to-face training with an
experienced educator and ongoing opportunities to refine and add to their skills, a
staffing agency provides substitute teachers with access to instructional and classroom
management techniques that facilitate student learning and meet their diverse needs.
When substitutes are armed with standard training in best teaching practices, learning
will continue in spite of teacher absences and students will thrive.