I don’t want to get into the curriculum side of things in this post; I love detailed lesson plans where I can stand up and teach each period, but I also understand that many of y’all have no idea whether your sub is capable of teaching what color the sky is.

That being said, here are some “evergreen” items that I find super helpful to be told about in the sub plan, based on my experiences in about a half-dozen different middle schools in one of the country’s largest school districts.

1. Are there any pre-class duties beyond going over the lesson plan?

For the most part, my first class starts about 30 minutes after I arrive at work. Do I need to go pick any students up for a certain location, or will they come straight to the classroom? Do I need to be in the hallway or in the classroom?

2. What are the bell times?

Yesterday, I asked two different admins and one student what time the end-of-7th period bell went off. I got three different answers. The bell times are different at nearly every school I teach at.

3. What is the tardy policy?

If a student shows up after the bell, do I just let them in and mark them tardy, or do I need to send them somewhere for a tardy pass before admitting them to class?

4. What is your and the school’s hall pass policy?

Also, please let me know if any students are not permitted to use a hall pass at all. For that matter, tell me where your hall pass physically is, or what is used in place of a hall pass.

5. When do students go to lunch, and what is my lunch responsibility?

Do I line them up and escort them to the cafeteria? Do I pick them up at the end of lunch? If so, where?

6. Is there a seating chart?

Your lovely students will lie to me if they’re supposed to be in a certain place and I have no chart.

7. What is the consequence/punishment plan?

I’ll always write down behavior concerns, but that doesn’t always help during class. Should I send disruptive students to another classroom? Which classroom do I send them to? Does it vary by period? Am I just supposed to call for help? If so, what extension? Am I permitted to/supposed to write referrals? If so, where are the forms?

8. How is attendance handled?

Do I send it with students each period? Will someone come around to collect them? Do I submit it at the end of the day? If so, where?

9. Are there any planning period expectations?

I always call the sub coordinator to see whether I’m needed for another class, but are there any other duties I might need to know about otherwise, such as hall or lunch duty?

10. What students are especially reliable/trustworthy?

For some questions, a student will have a better answer than anyone else in the building, but I need to know who I can count on to be honest.

11. What teachers share your subject or are otherwise reliable?

It’s really helpful to have a go-to person to ask questions that admins/staff may not know about.

12. Are there any special concerns regarding students that I need to know about?

Please inform me if there are any students who are exceptions to certain rules so, for example, I don’t deny a bathroom pass to a student who has a doctor’s note on file. EDIT TO ADD: Any relevant, HIPAA-complaint information is really good to know. I won’t know whether a student really does have to leave class 15 minutes early to go take his medicine or if he’s just trying to go make trouble in the hallway. I understand that you can’t provide details, but just telling me someone is allowed to do something outside of the norm is enough for me to feel comfortable doing it.

Also, are there any students who will behave differently? If there is a child who, for example, is prone to outbursts as a result of a TBI, please tell me. Again, I don’t need details, but I do need to know that something out of normal classroom behavior standards is to be expected. For example, I wasn’t told that a child needed to have someone called if they started crying because it would usually the first sign of a severe panic attack that would get a lot worse a lot quicker if it was acknowledged. You don’t need to tell me “Cindy has a panic disorder.” Just tell me “If Cindy starts crying, do not acknowledge and instead quietly call this number.” Basically, just let me know if any student who needs to be communicated with differently or has different expectations. Please.

13. What are the dismissal procedures and responsibilities?

I’ve seen several sub plans that tell me to “help with dismissal” without telling me what I’m supposed to do. Is everyone dismissed at the same time or released in waves? Do I have a certain group of students to take somewhere? Do I go anywhere to help with a certain element of dismissal? If so, where is that place, and do any other teachers have the same responsibility?

Due to popular demand...14. What is the cell phone policy?

I operate by a no-phone policy if not told otherwise, but it’s still nice to have a confirmation in writing that kids can’t use their phones when they’re done with work or anything like that. And definitely give me a heads up if phones are allowed.

A special bonus is a class roster that doesn’t have to be turned in for attendance; this is a great resource to refer to if I need a student’s name, like if an admin calls to request a student and isn’t sure whether they’re calling the right classroom. Super special is if you tell me how to pronounce names.

And friendly reminder to familiarize yourself with substitute policies in your district. I’m not supposed to touch any technology in the classroom, for example, but I’ve had several sub plans instruct me to demonstrate things on the computer, etc.

I love y’all and solemnly swear to stick to your curriculum, leave detailed notes, and not preach about Jesus or be racist. =)

EXTRA SPECIAL EDIT BONUS: If you tell me where the closest faculty bathroom is, I will love you.