Substitute Teaching: Create Your Own Advertising

When you become a substitute teacher, the last thing you will want to do is to hide under a rock. Although a successful substitute is something of a chameleon, entering and blending into new environments on a daily basis, this does not mean the successful sub shies away from interaction. Rather, successful subs are successful because they actively generate interaction with others. Like newsmakers, they realize the value of publicity.

So, how do you launch a major advertising campaign as a substitute teacher? First of all, you do a good job. The quality of your work helps you to be remembered by both students and teachers alike. For example, if you take extra time to explain difficult concepts, ask colleagues whether they could use some help with paperwork during your free periods, and express care for students by helping them to resolve conflicts fairly, then you are sure not to be easily forgotten.

Secondly, you will want to leave behind an advertisement for yoruself containing your contact information, your credentials, your picture, a motto, or even a favorite quote. This advertisement should be half the size of a sheet of notebook paper, or smaller. It needs to be big enough to capture attention, yet small enough to be posted next to a teacher's telephone or computer.

With this objective in mind, try to make your advertisement a pleasant thing to look at. Take some time to select the colors that you will use in your advertisement, the font that is best-suited to your personality, or even locate an image that is calm and inspirational to center your ad around.