Managing behavior as a substitute teacher: Rewards and recognition systems.

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Teachers in all grades and across all subjects use behavior management systems. It’s one way to ensure that instruction is taught without getting off track or being delayed by a student’s actions. Many teachers favor a rewards and recognition system because it’s highly effective. As a substitute teacher, you can ensure consistent learning by sticking to the teacher’s preferred behavior management techniques.

Behavior management is not a single action, but a plan or process for keeping the learning environment free of inappropriate behaviors. It promotes positive behaviors through specific rewards and recognition. Disruptive behaviors are dealt with fairly and in a way conducive to learning. Behavior management plans include expectations, rules, and consequences supporting the best learning environment.

Benefits of Behavior Management

Parents send their children to school expecting they will gain the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in school, at home, and other environments. Behavior management plans help teachers achieve this goal. Overall benefits of behavior management include the following:

Helping students feel safe in their learning environment.

Preventing disruptive behavior.

Teaching students what to expect in the classroom.

Maintaining control over the class.

Allowing teachers and students to stay organized and on track.

Classrooms are filled with students from different learning styles, personalities, and abilities. Behavior management plans help teachers consider all these factors to create lessons and activities that engage every student.

Types of Behavior Management plans

Reward and recognition techniques represent positive reinforcement and are essential to implement within substitute teacher jobs in general. As a reward, when you notice a student doing something good, give them something which encourages them to continue the positive behavior. With recognition, praise students in front of their peers or people they respect, encouraging them to continue the positive behavior.

Positive behaviors in the classroom include:

Working quietly on a project

Showing respect to others

Being kind to a peer

Waiting patiently in line

Sharing materials

Encouraging a classmate

Following instructions

While every teacher’s behavior management plan may vary, there are common techniques.

The Point System

Point systems have been around for a long time. Today, some teachers use digital apps or online methods to keep track of points. Others use smart boards or DIY posters. Teachers give points to students caught exhibiting positive behaviors. The points add up and can be used for prizes, like toys and treats, or bigger prizes, such as extra recess or a class party.

Stickers and Stamps

Like the point system, students who exhibit positive behavior are rewarded with a sticker or stamp that they choose from a collection. The sticker or stamp is placed on a behavior chart that typically hangs on the wall in the classroom. As a student’s chart fills up, the stickers or stamps can be traded for larger rewards. This technique can also be used with the class, rather than individual students.

Tokens for Trade

Some teachers use tokens, but others may use play money for this technique. It works by handing out tokens or play money to students who show positive behaviors throughout the day. The teacher allows students to purchase items using their tokens or money in a mini store they set up in the classroom. The store can also be a box or basket filled with age-appropriate items.

Marble Jar

The marble jar behavior management technique is a great way to reward the entire class and teach them the benefits of teamwork when working towards a goal. When students are recognized for positive behaviors, they receive a marble that goes into a jar. The jar should always be visible as a reminder. When the jar is full of marbles, the class gets a reward, like extra recess, a class party, or movie time. Instead of marbles, you can fill the jar with tokens, buttons, or any other small item.

Behavior Charts

Behavior charts display all the students’ names written in the middle. Next to each name is a clip or magnet that can be moved up and down. When positive behaviors are noticed, the clip is moved up the chart. When you see negative behaviors, the clip moves down. The clip’s location at the end of the day determines whether the student receives a reward.

Examples of behavior management plans using recognition include the following:

Verbal Praise

Students feel great when their teacher praises them, a behavior management technique that is much more effective than a teacher calling out a student’s negative behavior. Positive reinforcement can also encourage other students to behave well to receive praise.

Star Student Award

Star student awards can be used for various achievements, including positive behaviors. They can be given weekly or monthly, giving students ample time to earn recognition. Some teachers give students additional rewards, like lunch with the principal or a prize. However, hanging a star student certificate in the classroom with their name on it can be just as meaningful.

Best practices for implementing rewards

It’s part of your substitute teacher duties to follow guidelines that ensure fairness and consistency in behavior management. Here are a few typical guidelines:

Stick to the teacher’s reward and recognition system. Don’t try to change it or create a new one.

Look for instructions or ask the students to learn details of the reward system.

If no reward system exists, create one. Think quick and fair—something like a chart on the board or tally system. Giving verbal praise is another simple system to implement.

Avoid using food as a reward. Some students may have allergies, and the school may restrict the use of food or candy as a reward. When you check in upon arrival to receive your substitute teaching duties, ask the school staff about their rewards policies.

Make sure your praises or rewards do not favor one student over another. Students will pick up on this quickly and may feel hurt if they behave well but are overlooked.

Some students may struggle with classwork or classroom expectations but try their best. Find unique ways to recognize or reward their efforts. Doing so may stop them from giving up.

Never take away a reward given to a student. Instead, let them know they don’t qualify for future rewards for the day if their behaviors warrant it. If they know they may have to return a reward, they may stop trying to get one in the first place.

If you give rewards that make noises, gadgets, or anything that can distract students, hand them out at the end of the day. If students can play with their rewards during class activities, they may prevent everyone from learning and unintentionally exhibit negative behaviors.

As a substitute teacher, follow the instructions of the teachers and school district first, and be prepared to implement your techniques when necessary.

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