Professionals of Substitute Teaching

7| You Are Not Failing ... You Are Fried - The Truth About Substitute Overwhelm

The kids didn’t listen.
The lesson plan pulled a disappearing act.
Lunch? Missing in action.
The water fountain? A biohazard.
The teachers? Not exactly lining up to welcome you with a parade.
And then — the grand finale — you were late picking up your own kid.

Have you ever walked out of a classroom like this thinking, “I can’t do this anymore,” I want you to know something important:

That feeling isn’t failure.

The urge to give up is a signal, not a truth.
It’s your nervous system waving a giant red flag.
It means you’re temporarily overloaded and overwhelmed — not incapable.

✨🌟Not sure where to start? Take the ProSub Journey quiz to discover your next steps to becoming a confident skillful professional substitute teacher. 🛣️

Connect with Chantell:  

• Get Chantell’s book, I’m a Professional Substitute Teacher: Now What?
• Visit the ProSubs website: www.prosubscourses.com

Want more support?

• Explore online individual learning modules
• Get one-on-one support in the Skillful Teaching coaching program

6| 5 Ways to Instantly Boost Your Substitute Teacher Confidence

Substitute teaching can really make you feel like you are constantly being put on the spot. Even though it is to be expected given the parameters of the job, it can still be uncomfortable, especially if you don't have a few tricks to calm the anxiety and nervousness until you find your groove.

In this episode I share a recent experience I had that made me feel EXACTLY like I was back in an unfamiliar classroom. I relied on some tricks I learned over the years as a teacher to boost my confidence in new situations, in this case to deliver an on-the-spot speech.  

I talk about the five strategies I used - and like every good educator - you should steal them. Try them out and see if they instantly boost your confidence in any classroom situation you face this week.

Because let’s be honest — confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with. It’s something you build, one small moment at a time. And these five things can make all the difference for you.

✨🌟Not sure where to start? Take the ProSub Journey quiz to discover your next steps to becoming a confident skillful professional substitute teacher. 🛣️

Connect with Chantell:  

• Get Chantell’s book, I’m a Professional Substitute Teacher: Now What?
• Visit the ProSubs website: www.prosubscourses.com

Want more support?

• Explore online individual learning modules
• Get one-on-one support in the Skillful Teaching coaching program

5| How Do You Do a Job No One Has Prepared You For?

How many times have you been in a classroom or are thinking about going into a classroom and in the back of your mind there is this tape running saying “I should know how to do this?”  But ... you Don't know how to do it? I assure you, just because you have gone through school does not mean you have been equipped with the skills to teach school. It is completely different being a student and being the teacher. Honestly, how are you supposed to learn what to do without the training? That’s a major confidence buster.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Have I been provided consistent training for this critical role?
• Did my substitute training address all essential competencies?
• Am I expected to maintain instructional continuity without being provided the tools to do so?

You cannot be expected to have classroom management, teach a lesson, keep students safe, and ensure there is no disruption in their learning without being taught how to do it.  And not just one time. No one is capable of hearing something one time then going forth and doing it.  It takes repetition, support, and feedback from your experiences in with students.

Connect with Chantell:  

• Get Chantell’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.
• Get Chantell’s book, I’m a Professional Substitute Teacher: Now What?
• Follow Chantell on Instagram
• Visit the ProSubs website: www.prosubscourses.com
• Subscribe to Chantell’s podcast on Apple or Spotify

Want more support?

• Explore online individual learning modules
• Get one-on-one support in the Skillful Teaching coaching program

Online article at www.eschoolnews.com: Rethinking Substitute Teacher Preparation

4| The ABCs of Professionalism: The Fine Line of Communication TMI

Have you ever been in a room with a group or in an online group chat and someone says or posts something and your immediate reaction is TMI TMI!!!  Too much information!!!  There are absolutely times when this is the case, and when it comes to communicating in schools there is a difference between overcommunicating information for clarity and breaching confidentiality.

In this episode we are talking about our final ABCs of Professionalism, the How, the What, and the Who of letter C - Communication. You need to know how you are communicating information, what information should be communicated, and who you should be communicating it with. Even more important is knowing what should and should not be communicated.

Connect with Chantell:  

• Get Chantell’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.
• Get Chantell’s book, I’m a Professional Substitute Teacher: Now What?
• Follow Chantell on Instagram 
• Check out ProSubs Teach on Instagram
• Visit the ProSubs website: www.prosubscourses.com
• Subscribe to Chantell’s podcast on Apple or Spotify

Want more support?

• Explore individual learning modules
• Take the full ProSubs Skillful Teaching course
• Get one-on-one support in the Skillful Teaching Coaching program

3| The ABCs of Professionalism: Key ProSub Behaviors

I promised the full ABCs of Professionalism so today we are talking about B — Behavior. Learn four basic behaviors every substitute teacher needs to build a strong, reliable reputation: Be Prepared, Be Punctual, Be Prudent, and Be Discerning.

Prepare confidently for any grade level, know why punctuality matters in schools, what professional (and practical) wardrobe choices look like for different age groups, and how to set healthy conversational boundaries with students using lighthearted redirect responses.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with a fellow substitute teacher who wants to level up their classroom confidence.

Want to dive into more in-depth tip, tools, and guidance?  Buy  Chantell's book - "I'm a Professional Substitute Teacher; Now What? "Available on Amazon.

2| The ABCs of Professionalism: The Essential Attitude That Sets Great Subs Apart

Have you ever wondered how you could set yourself apart from other substitute teachers?  What would it take for you to be called in regularly or to even be asked to fill a long-term position? Today we’re talking about the Essentials for ProSub Success. something that sets the great ProSub apart from the rest: professionalism.

You, my friend, are pursuing a calling that requires the specialized skills and knowledge of teaching.  That is the difference between being a substitute teacher and being a Professional Substitute Teacher.

Key Question: “How can I present myself in the most professional way?”

By consistently emulating the behaviors of your favorite teacher, the one you most respected - you will establish your reputation as a trusted, reliable, professional, go-to substitute.

The first step: A - Attitude is everything! A positive attitude is an essential component of professionalism. Seems obvious but there is more to it than you may think.

1| 5 Substitute Teaching Benefits You May Not Know About

So many aspiring ProSubs complete their training… and then freeze. They never apply, never step into a classroom, and never discover the career that could change their lives. Why? Because their questions go unanswered—and unanswered questions grow into uncertainty, confusion, and fear.

In this episode of Professionals of Substitute Teaching (POST), I’m pulling back the curtain on the real concerns future ProSubs are carrying and the surprising benefits they often never hear about. 

I’ll show you why now is an incredible time to step confidently into this profession. From choosing assignments that match your strengths, to enjoying true schedule flexibility, to becoming a respected member of the school community, to discovering hidden long‑term pay opportunities, to accessing free professional development—this episode is packed with the reassurance and clarity you’ve been craving.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really do this?” or “Will I be supported?” this conversation is your turning point. Let's replace fear with facts, doubt with confidence, and hesitation with action.

 

Professionals of Substitute Teaching Introduction

Chantell is a 30+ year experienced education administrator and teacher.  In the Professionals of Substitute Teaching podcast her mission is to inspire, motivate, and empower you with practical skills, professional strategies and real talk that builds your confidence to become the absolute best professional substitute teacher you can be.