Becoming a supply teacher gives you the unique opportunity to leave your mark and positively impact children's lives. While you might not have the same level of continuity as a full-time teacher, you’ll get the chance to inspire and motivate children. The feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment you get knowing you’ve played a part in the development of a child’s educational journey is worth its weight in gold. In this article, we’ll explore key strategies and approaches to help you make a difference as a supply teacher.
Establishing a Positive Learning Environment
As a supply teacher, it can sometimes be hard managing a classroom full of pupils that weren’t expecting you to be there. The first factor you’ll want to consider is how you can create a positive learning environment. This includes setting clear behavioural expectations and encouraging respectful communication. Think about ways to involve everyone in group discussions, this way you’ll build an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusivity that will encourage children to actively engage with the lesson.
Relevant and Meaningful Learning
One of the best ways to engage pupils is by linking the lessons you teach to real-life situations and circumstances so that they can relate to the topic. Applying concepts in practical scenarios can help children better understand the purpose of their education and, as a result, encourages them to take ownership of their learning.
Express Genuine Interest
You should always express genuine interest in your pupils' well-being and aspirations. Taking the time to learn their names will demonstrate your ability to listen and acknowledge them as individuals. Furthermore, fostering one-to-one connections will enable you to understand their thoughts, and reassure them that you value their input in the classroom. In this situation, children are more likely to be motivated and receptive to your teaching.
Incorporate Learning Strategies
Engaging pupils in interactive and hands-on activities is a great way to promote active learning. Incorporating activities such as group discussions, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative projects will foster children’s creativity and empower them to become active participants in their own education.
Celebrate Achievements
Remember to acknowledge the achievements of your pupils. Recognising and bringing attention to their progress, regardless of how big or small, will increase their self-confidence and motivate them to pursue the completion of their tasks and or goals. Bearing this in mind, you should also provide your pupils with constructive feedback to inspire their growth and demonstrate that we can continually improve ourselves.
Foster a Growth Mindset
In the classroom, mistakes and miscalculations mustn’t be met with negative feedback; instead, they should be presented as an opportunity for the child to grow both academically and emotionally. Learning to cope with mistakes and building from them is a critical component of development. It teaches them perseverance, resilience and will inspire them to push themselves and seek out challenges and obstacles to overcome.
As a supply teacher, you will always yield the ability to make a genuine difference. But when it comes to the classroom, it’s up to you to nurture the lasting impact that you have on your pupils. We hope this guide helped give you a few pointers when it comes to supply teaching, but if you have any enquiries or interests in supply teacher or teaching assistant roles, then feel free to call us on 01332 412903, email us, or click here to fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.