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Once you have graduated and completed your teaching practice or want to return to the classroom, you may not be able to get a position at a school right away. One way to gain additional experience or to make yourself known in the schools where you live is to offer to be a substitute or substitute teacher.

Here are some ideas to help you get started on the process of becoming a substitute/substitute teacher.

First, decide, in advance, which schools you want to work at. Decide on a set of criteria that you will use to make that decision, eg distance, size, etc.

Then send your CV to the assistant principal and provide simple details on how to contact you, when you are available and your teaching experience and any specialist knowledge or skills you have to offer. These could include computer skills; ability to play a musical instrument; experience in dramatic productions, as well as various sports or athletic skills or coaching experience.

Once you have decided on your list of schools, determine how long it will take you to travel to each school. This will ensure your arrival with enough time to organize your day. Check parking arrangements with school personnel.

The first time you go to a school, arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time to get oriented with the school’s geography and meet school officials, eg, assistant principal, office staff, curriculum coordinator.

Once you’ve received your appointment as a school administration teacher for the day at an elementary school, find your teaching partner, introduce yourself, and ask for any help or advice you need. In a high school, introduce yourself to the department head.

Always be firm but kind in your dealings with students. Expect the normal courtesies from them. Read the School Behavior Management plan when it is installed. If discipline problems arise that you cannot resolve, seek help immediately from your teaching partner or department head.

For future use in the classroom, collect worksheets that can be used with many age groups. Develop binders of worksheets for each grade level and/or a set of generic worksheets or teaching ideas that can be used at all grade levels. Include problem solving or critical thinking exercises that can be used at many levels years down the road. Try to get the ones that go from the simple to the complex. Also collect rules for simple games, inside and outside of the classroom, that you can use in the future or make up your own.

Finally, ask the school if they have a relief teacher induction kit that allows you to become familiar with the school’s culture, policies, and procedures. You can access this when you submit your CV. This indicates that you want to do the best you can for the school and the students while you are there.