Dear Barbara,

I have found that it helps to have a “student assistant” when I’m subbing. That student helps me understand classroom routines. If anyone tries to play a trick on me, the student assistant will alert me just in time.

I had a bad experience in a 6^th grade class this week. I chose the wrong student to help me. He actually embarrassed me a few times by giving me false information.

How can I avoid choosing the wrong person to help me?

Hannah in Washington Heights, NY

Dear Hannah,

I like to call these people Special Helpers in the lower grades, and Student Assistants in the upper grade levels. Without their help, your job will be nearly impossible. Why struggle learning routines by doing detective work, when the answer is right there with your helper? An added bonus is that you have an ally now, who will get his/her friends to be cooperative.

If you sense that you have chosen the wrong helper, thank that person, and tell him/her that you’d like to give someone else a chance to assist you right now. No hard feelings!

A friend of mine, who is a very popular sub, shared with me the secret to her success. She chooses two helpers each day. She asks them to move their desks right next to hers. Her trick is to choose the best student in the class, and the worst student in the class. This way, she has shown the worst student that she trusts him/her by giving that student responsibility. The good student keeps an eye on the difficult student. As a team, they are effective at their job.

How do you know who to choose? Usually the teacher’s lesson plans will tell you who to trust, and who may be trouble. If not, wait a short while, assess the group, and trust your instinct. Most of the time, your helper will volunteer. These students are usually trustworthy.

I encourage you to have as many students help as possible. You might want to have your current helpers choose other helpers for tasks such as passing out paper, leading the class in the hall, etc. Good teachers delegate.

If you play your cards right, you will have a productive day with some positive leadership from within your class!

Good luck,
Barbara

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