On behalf of the Human Resources Substitute Office and the rest of MSBSD, we would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the substitutes who have signed up and accepted assignments already for the busy months of Spring 2025. Your hard work and dedication will help push our students closer to success!

Thank you for serving as a substitute with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District!

As a substitute, you are a crucial part of our team. Whether your assignment is short-term or continues for a longer period, you will touch the lives of others each day you come into our buildings. Both our students and our teachers will be strengthened by your presence because you provide continuity for our students and opportunities for our staff.

Your responsibility after receiving the assignment is to replace the regular staff member and to carry out, to the best of your abilities, all the assigned duties and responsibilities of that staff for the day.

We trust that each time you substitute, the students will have a meaningful and productive educational experience. Each building has a different personality and the exciting part for you is that you may have the opportunity to experience each one.

Thank you for your commitment to education in the Mat-Su. If we can be of assistance, please call us at the Human Resources Department, (907) 746-9245.

* January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr Day

*February 10 - Elementary Parent Conferences

*February 17 - Elementary and Secondary Parent Conferences

*March 7 - Work Day for Teachers

*March 10-14 SPRING BREAK

*May 2 Professional Learning for Elementary Teachers (Elementary schools only)

The 2024-2025 school year is well underway!

We value our subs and we are honored that you have chosen our schools to work in. We want to keep the classroom environment as routine as possible, so below are a few policies and expectations. Holding students accountable is important, especially as a sub. Please review and let us know if you have any questions:

• Be on time. If you are going to be late, contact the front office of the school.

• Take attendance at the beginning of the class.

• Follow the lesson plans as best you can. We realize that some lesson plans are minimal while others are more extensive.

• Keep students on task, especially if there are lesson plans to complete.

• Try to keep a quiet work environment for students to work in.

• Encourage students to do other homework if they have completed the lesson.

• Please stay off your phone. We need to model what our expectations are for the students.

• Stay alert and monitor students.

• Keep students in your classroom until the bell rings at the end of the day.

• Contact the office if you have questions or concerns during your school day.

• Be kind but firm when holding students accountable for all expectations. Boundaries are important for success. Kindness is important for relationships.

• Check out some great resources below:

"In many cases, you can diffuse challenging exchanges with a simple one or two word response (e.g., “I’m sorry,” “I understand,” “Probably so,” “Nevertheless”).

These four simple phrases or “diffusers,” provide a powerful way to deter or derail student challenges. They should be delivered matter-of-factly, without skipping-a-beat in your instruction.

For example, if a student says, “This is boring,” the teacher simply replies, “I’m sorry,” or “Nevertheless” and continues teaching without interruption. There is no need to engage the student further at the time of the exchange." Sound useful? Check it out below to learn more ideas to use.

As a substitute teacher, you need to be prepared for anything! There could be times when you show up to a classroom and there are no plans left for you or not enough to get you through the day. First check with your same grade level partners in nearby classrooms. You need to keep the students busy at all times in order for the day to go smoothly. If the students have work or activities to do, the day will not drag, and most importantly, students have the opportunity to learn from you. Below is a list of fun classroom activities that a substitute can use.

Start the day off with a "Get to Know You" activity. Most substitutes do not get to know the students because they are in different classes and schools throughout the year. Before students arrive, write on the board the following questions and have the students answer them. Have the students share their answers out loud with the class.

1. What is your favorite color?
2. What is your favorite animal?
3. What's your favorite TV show or movie?
4. What's your favorite school subject?
5. What do you like to do when not in school?

Pictionary

Most students are familiar with and enjoy the game, Pictionary.

• Start out by writing student-friendly movies or TV shows, books, cartoon characters, or animals on small pieces of paper and put them in a bag or a hat.
• Split the class into two groups.
• Next, ask one student from the first group to come up to the front of the class and have them pick a piece of paper.
• Then have them go to the board and attempt to draw it, while the rest of the class tries to guess what the drawing is.

Email: hr@matsuk12.us
Website: www.matsuk12.us
Location: 501 North Gulkana Street, Palmer, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 761-4357, Opt 3
Facebook: facebook.com/akmatsuk12
Twitter: @smorenewsletter