What do high school substitutes actually do?

I'm interested in possibly working as a high school substitute teacher someday and was wondering what a sub usually does. Is it mostly just keeping order and handing out assignments, or is there more to the job?

A high school substitute teacher effectively fills in for the regular classroom teacher when they are absent. The roles and responsibilities can vary widely based on the specific circumstances of each day, but there are some commonalities.

In most cases, a substitute teacher is provided with lesson plans from the regular teacher. These plans would typically include all the assignments, activities, or projects that need to be tackled during class time, along with instructions about any special considerations such as students with specific accommodation needs. The substitute teacher will then implement these plans, making sure students understand the assignments and guiding them through the tasks.

Keeping order is certainly a key part of the job. Maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning is important in any classroom, but it can sometimes be more of a challenge for a substitute because the regular teacher's established classroom norms and routines may not fully carry over during their absence. A successful substitute teacher will have effective classroom management skills to maintain a positive learning environment and handle any behavioral issues that arise.

Substitute teaching also involves taking attendance, collecting completed assignments, and potentially grading some work. There may also be duties outside the classroom, such as monitoring recess, lunch, or study hall, depending on the school's needs that day.

Some substitutes also bring their supplementary materials or activities to engage students when the provided lesson plans fall short or finish earlier than expected.

Finally, at the end of the day, substitute teachers often provide a summary or report for the regular teacher to update them on what was covered during their absence, highlight any major issues that arose, and note any incomplete work that the students will need to finish.

It's quite a multi-faceted role that requires adaptability, subject matter knowledge (especially for high school where material can be specialized), and strong interpersonal skills.