Ep 225: Your Classroom's Instruction Manual for a Substitute Teacher

New Teacher Talk welcomes Christine Beardslee, a reading specialist and veteran educator with 26 years of experience in New Jersey, to walk you through one of the most practical safeguards you can build: a substitute teacher folder. Hosted by Dr. Beth Wilkins and Dr. Anna Quinzio-Zafran, this episode turns a task that is easy to put off into a clear, doable checklist. Christine starts from the substitute's point of view, walking into an unfamiliar room with almost no preparation, and makes the case that a well-organized binder gives everyone stability. It keeps students in familiar routines, helps the sub feel confident, and protects the learning environment when you cannot be there. From a brightly colored binder that is easy to spot to the specific contents that make a day run smoothly, she covers what to include and why each piece matters, drawing on systems she has refined over decades in the classroom. What to put in your folder: A warm welcome letter with your contact info, plus a grade-level colleague and the nurse A class roster with attendance procedures, reliable student helpers, and pairings to keep apart Clearly documented dismissal procedures, because student safety comes first Relevant student health information, from allergies to conditions needing closer monitoring A building map and steps for fire drills, lockdowns, and shelter-in-place Your daily schedule and routines, including attention-getters, specials, transitions, lunch, and bathroom procedures Step-by-step lesson plans, pre-organized materials, and extra activities for early finishers A sub feedback form so you learn how the day actually went Resources Christine recommends: Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy for customizable templates, and The First Days of School by Harry Wong for classroom routines. If this episode nudged you to finally build your folder, or there is a topic you want us to cover next, leave us a five-star rating and a review. We read every one, and your feedback shapes future episodes. #NewTeacherTalk #SubstituteFolder #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #TeacherOrganization #EmergencyPreparedness #ReadingSpecialist #FirstDaysOfSchool #TeacherTips #SubPlans