Hello! I just got a job as a substitute teacher at a k-9 charter school. I'll be starting by the end of the month, just need to get the fingerprinting done.

I have a few questions I'm hoping y'all can help me with: In your experience, what do the best substitutes do? What should I do if a teacher doesn't leave a substitute folder (I'm guessing most will, but just in case)? Are there any class management techniques that work for every grade, or some that work for specific age groups?

I know that this will be hard, and I know I'll probably still be absolutely run over by how hard this job will be. At the same time, I'm excited for this first step in my teaching career. I plan to sub while I get my teaching certification. Then I hope to be hired full time by the school (they already have a history of hiring subs as full time staff). If I can be a good sub, then I have no doubt I can be a good teacher. Plus my two younger sisters (5th grade and 7th grade) attend this school and I'm excited to sub for their classes too!