Substitute teachers bring unique experiences and perspectives to the classroom, choosing this role for countless reasons—from a love of teaching to the flexibility of scheduling. No matter their journey, they all play a crucial role in keeping students engaged and learning. At Kelly Education, we see their impact first-hand every single day as the nation’s largest staffing provider to hundreds of school districts.
For district leaders, integrating substitute teachers into the school culture goes beyond simply covering absences—it's about supporting student learning, maintaining consistency, and building a welcoming educational community.
Here are some of the best ways to incorporate substitute teachers into your community.
Implement a comprehensive orientation and training program.
A well-structured orientation and training program is essential for setting substitute teachers up for success, and this starts before they even step into the classroom. To achieve success, this means being
deliberate in how you onboard, orient, and train them regarding your school's policies and procedures. We recommend revisiting the process annually to update changes that naturally happen over time.
Ideally, your training program should contain role-specific content about:
- Classroom management
- Teaching best practices
- Bullying
- Safety protocols
You want substitute educators to be ready to lead and inspire your students—backed by safety, confidence, and compliance. Additionally, pairing substitute teachers with a mentor or a “buddy” teacher offers ongoing guidance, particularly in navigating school routines and accessing teaching resources.
When school districts invest in a comprehensive orientation and training program, substitute teachers feel confident, prepared, and connected to the school community, ultimately enhancing their teaching experience and overall effectiveness.
Provide professional development opportunities.
Providing relevant, ongoing professional development to substitute teachers is essential for their long-term success—just like your faculty. It allows them to develop the critical skills needed to thrive in their job, while also creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and invested in.
The result? A culture where everyone feels supported, and where learning is continuous.
Schools can offer access to live or virtual professional development sessions that focus on classroom management, instructional strategies, and student engagement. These training opportunities equip substitute teachers with new skills and techniques that enhance their teaching methods.
We've found that some districts have success partnering with higher education institutions to make it easier, quicker, and more affordable for substitute teachers to advance their skills and earn teaching certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees.
Include substitute teachers in school events.
Engaging substitute teachers in community events and meetings helps them feel appreciated and connected to the school culture. Many of our district partners invite their substitute educators to staff meetings and professional development days. Their participation keeps them updated on school-wide initiatives and allows them to form relationships with full-time staff.
Social gatherings, such as holiday parties, staff breakfasts, or team-building events, also provide valuable opportunities for substitute teachers to establish personal connections. By intentionally involving them in school activities, schools cultivate a supportive and cohesive educational environment, recognizing substitute teachers as essential members of the community.
Haralson County School District one of our partners, invites Kelly Education team members to join in community events like the Fall Festival and open houses, where we help distribute goodie bags to students. In difficult moments, such as the passing of a cherished staff member, we were there to provide extra support to the faculty and staff, demonstrating our commitment to the community.
Recognize and celebrate contributions.
It’s no secret—substitute teachers work under many of the same pressures as full-time staff. Recognizing and rewarding their hard work and dedication showcase their value to faculty, parents, and students. Our partner districts have also found that it boosts morale.
School districts can show their appreciation by:
- Celebrating National Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week.
- Setting up special recognition days.
- Giving public shout-outs through morning announcements, newsletters, or social media.
- Sharing thank-you notes from students or staff.
- Referral bonuses.
- Offering gift cards, gas cards, or donated services from local businesses.
At Kelly Education, we recognize that creating a solid education experience goes beyond the walls of a classroom. To express our gratitude, Kelly Education and our school district partners come together each year to recognize the outstanding contributions that our employees bring to our nation's schools and students. Our Educator of the Year award program often receives more than 300 nominations from district leaders—a testament to the importance of recognition for well-qualified substitute teachers.
In conclusion, when school districts invest in substitute teachers and apply these strategies, they create a more efficient learning environment. Prepared and motivated substitute teachers can keep lessons on track with less need for supervision, helping students stay focused and learn without interruptions.
Kelly Education supports 10,000 schools across the country by providing strategic solutions, comprehensive onboarding, professional development, and community-building initiatives. Our resources and support help substitute teachers feel valued, connected, and prepared.
Reach out today for a consultation to learn about our mission to keep schools fully staffed—and students learning.
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About the author: Alexandra Pratt is a Marketing Associate Director for Kelly Education, where she is dedicated to helping K-12 school districts overcome staffing challenges. She is passionate about improving the quality of education through innovative workforce solutions.
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