Substitute Teachers Lounge
Episodes
300 episodes
Reboot - Things I've Done Wrong as a Substitute Teacher
A quick random refresher episode - things I've done wrong.
FINAL EPISODE - Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast (and why)
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 subst...
When You Get Moved: A Substitute Teacher's Dilemma
Reaching the milestone 300th episode, I'm tackling a universal substitute teaching challenge that surprisingly hasn't been the central focus of any previous episode: getting reassigned after you've arrived at school.The moment when admi...
Oh, the Students You'll Meet!
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 a...
Things Substitute Teachers Have to Change for Elementary School
What happens when a teacher accustomed to older students suddenly faces a classroom of elementary schoolers? Everything changes. From the surprising power dynamics to the unexpected emotional responses, teaching younger children demands an enti...
Are You a "Cheap Substitute Teacher"?
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?
My Substitute Teacher Story, Written By a Robot
Ever wondered what happens when artificial intelligence writes your life story? In this fascinating episode, I dive into the surreal experience of discovering an AI-generated book about my substitute teaching career—written entirely without my ...
Generation Alpha Unleashed -- onto Teachers
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 ge...
Interviews with Elementary Students, a Substitute Teachers Lounge First
Have you ever wondered what elementary school students really think about their teachers? In this unique episode, we flip the script by interviewing our youngest guests ever - students from kindergarten through fifth grade - to gain their unfil...
Pocket ESPN and Missing Students: A Substitute Teacher's Comedy of Errors
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 e...
Substitute Teacher Year-End Things You're Considering That You Shouldn't Be
The countdown to summer vacation has begun, with only two weeks of school remaining. As substitute teachers prepare to wrap up another academic year, the temptation to make certain end-of-year decisions looms large – but not all of these choice...
Interview with Substitute Teacher Felice from Texas
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 o...
Substitute Teaching First Grade, What’s Going On?!
Breaking my own rule of "never below third grade," I recently stepped into a first-grade classroom as a substitute teacher and discovered a whole new world of teaching challenges and rewards. The experience was so transformative that I couldn't...
Navigating Substitute Teacher Jealousy: When Popularity Creates Tension
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 teacher...
Minecraft to Mentoring: Substitute Teachers Tackle Student Conflicts
What happens when students mistreat each other, and how should substitute teachers respond? This deeply reflective episode explores the delicate art of addressing student conflicts while maintaining dignity for everyone involved.Drawing...
How Substitute Teachers Should Handle Spring Break
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 cla...
When Substitute Teachers Should (and Shouldn't) Break the Teacher's Rules
Finding the sweet spot between following a regular teacher's lesson plans and bringing your authentic self to the classroom—that's the balance every substitute teacher must strike. Drawing from seven years of substitute teaching experience acro...
Substitute Teacher Hugs
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 ele...
Who Let That Verbose Substitute Teacher In Here?
Have you ever caught yourself rambling to a classroom of increasingly glazed-over eyes? You're not alone. Inspired by Henry Winkler's candid admission about losing acting roles due to excessive talking, this episode dives deep into...
Elementary, My Dear- The Substitute Teacher's Best Gig
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 sm...
Medium Term Substitute Teaching Is the New Long Term
Our latest discussion dives into the joys and challenges of medium-term substitute teaching, emphasizing the deep connections with students that can emerge in just a few short days. We explore how embracing this teaching style can lead to rewar...
Substitute Teacher Qualities That Teachers Don't Have
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 ...
Getting On Substitute Teacher Nerves
This episode sheds light on my frustrations as an experienced substitute teacher, where low tolerance for certain administrative practices, student distractions, and teacher interactions have prompted reflection and growth. Understanding the ev...
Substitute Teacher Quiet Tools
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 no...
Which Students Should Substitute Teachers Ask Questions First?
This episode delves into the art of asking questions in the classroom, emphasizing the balance between engaging students and avoiding embarrassment. We discuss various interactive techniques and approaches to make questioning enjoyable and effe...