Robert Acosta is an elementary school teacher with his Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona.

Many schools’ rules, guidelines, plans, and procedures have been developed over multiple years. Along those lines, a full-time teacher might spend weeks setting up daily classroom routines within the structure of their school policies. So when you walk into the building for the first time as a substitute teacher, the last thing you’d want to do is disrupt the flow.

Keep in mind, however, every school is different. While it would be beneficial to have a detailed, hour-to-hour plan of operations that won’t always be the case. Sometimes administrators are forgetful, plans can be moved off a desk, or maybe the teacher was so ill that drafting a day’s plans wasn’t possible.

You might arrive at school and no one is in the office to give you directions. Perhaps you were one of two subs called for the same job. Maybe the last period of your day is that teacher’s planning period, your students are dismissed, and no one can tell you what to do. 

But when times get shaky, there’s no need to fret. Buckle down and remember a few things:

1. Don’t leave campus until you’re dismissed

If there’s some kind of mix-up with your class assignment and the teacher is present or another sub has claimed your spot, wait for further direction from the administration. Perhaps there’s another role they’d want you to take at the school.

2. Always fully follow each school’s check-out procedure

Talk to someone who would know how to properly dismiss the students. Best bet? Talk to the teacher next door. Odds are they’ve seen the primary teacher’s release protocol and know just the right way to send the students on their way.

3. Don’t leave students unattended

This really should be a general rule at all schools. At no point should you step out of the room for any extended period of time and leave the kids alone. Stay with them until the end of the day, until they’re officially dismissed from class, or until you are relieved by another qualified adult in the school.

4. You show up, you get paid

If you arrive at the school and they’ve for whatever reason concluded they don’t need your services for the day, then you will still get paid for the day. The old saying goes, “Showing up is half the battle.” As long as you’ve faithfully attempted to fulfill the duties of your assignment, there’s no need to worry. Simply wait until you’re officially dismissed for the day.

Looking for more resources to help you succeed as a substitute teacher? Check out this piece that highlights 72 tips, templates, and ideas for the classroom.