AUGUST is a busy month and our schools will need your assistance during the first month of the school year. Please be sure to log into Absence Management regularly to accept assignments. Fridays and Mondays usually have a lot of last-minute assignments - we need your assistance with accepting assignments on those days.

Once again, welcome back & we appreciate you!

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.

The 2024-2025 school year will soon be underway!

As we get ready to kick-off the new school year and increase and build momentum in the classroom, please take a few minutes to read "How to Be an Effective Substitute Teacher: A Guide and Tips for Substitute Teachers in the Classroom" bar 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) 746-9245
Facebook: facebook.com/akmatsuk12
Twitter: @smorenewsletter