Substitute Teacher in a New York City Public High School: Top 3 Ways to Be a Successful

I was a substitute teacher in New York City public high schools for over 5 years. In my 5 years I never had any students curse at me, attack me, or really misbehave. While this might seem like what should normally occur in schools, it isn't. Most substitute teachers are verbally and even physically abused on a daily basis. While this shouldn't be happening, it is, and here is how I managed to not have to ever deal with it.

I was a substitute teacher in an urban high school in Manhattan that housed over 2000 students. Most of these students ranged in age from 14-21. In New York City high school students are allowed to stay in day school until 21 if they in special education programs, or allowed to go to night school to finish up their credits if they are not in special education programs. The student population in my school was split almost 50/50 between African American students, and Hispanic students; I myself am a Caucasian female.

While I don't know how other school districts work, in New York City they give the substitute teacher a list with the classes they need to cover, and some of the time they give you assignments that the teacher left. In my experience I did not get many assignments that the teacher left and was left to my own devices.

The first thing I can recommend to any new substitute is to have something prepared to do with the students. Do not depend on the teacher leaving you materials, and then be left with nothing. What most teachers do leave is considered "busy work" which isn't usually even what the students are learning at that time anyway.

The second thing I recommend is to be confident. Kids especially teenagers can sense fear and innocence very easily and will take every advantage they can. Do not let them know it is your first day or that you don't know much about teaching. Let them believe you have been teaching full time for a while and know exactly what you are doing.

The third thing is respect. Demand it by giving it. This for me is the most important thing and why I had a great relationship with the students. This seems to be the big misconception with substitute teachers as well as regular teachers. Most people feel that student's don't deserve respect unless they give it and then it becomes a power struggle. Understand you are on their turf and they know you won't be there permanently so they don't feel that they will have to suffer any consequences for how they behave. While you can call security if there is an incident you should save that for major things. In one school I was in security never came, and in another they never called me again because I called security for what they deemed wasn't important. To earn a student's respect just start talking to them like they are people, ask their opinions on things that are happening, and you will see how quickly their attitude changes.

I believe if you follow these 3 rules for a substitute teaching in high schools in New York City you will see a lot of positive changes happening to your day. Good luck!