Navigating holiday events as a substitute teacher or support staff.

Our public school classrooms are vibrant and diverse with students of different cultures, ethnicities, religions, languages, and economic statuses.  

During the autumn/winter holiday season, it’s important for school workers to be mindful that not everyone celebrates the same things or in the same way. 

Educators have the opportunity, as well as the responsibility, to create an environment that is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging for all students. This can be accomplished by recognizing – and showing respect for – the values, traditions, and the various dynamics that make up the student population of their classroom and school. 

At Kelly Education, we work to help our substitute teachers, tutors, paraeducators, and support staff to understand cultural sensitivities. We encourage them to help students celebrate the meaningful moments in their lives. Here’s some guidance to successfully approach holiday events at school as a substitute teacher or support staff. 

Navigating holiday events.

The most important thing to remember is to follow school policy and curriculum. The classroom teacher should leave you extensive notes and lesson plans to follow when you’re substitute teaching. 

If no plan is left, or if something seems confusing, always consult with school administrators or other teachers regarding what you can incorporate and what to avoid. Here is some basic guidance as it relates to holidays: 

Things to avoid.

• Do not hand out candy or food since you do not know each student’s diet. Some may have allergies, and some parents may not allow their children to eat a certain type of food. Even though it’s an easy reward, it may not be the best. 

• Do not hand out toys or small objects since they can break and become a choking hazard. 

• Do not take photos or recordings in school or on school grounds. This violates student confidentiality and privacy rights and likely violates school regulations. At Kelly, we have strict policies against photography.  

• Do not use culturally specific holiday language with the students. 

• Do not accept substantial gifts from students or school district employees. Students and staff may want to express their appreciation in simple ways, such as homemade gifts or cards, and that is acceptable.

Ideas to consider.

• Use stickers or ribbons that represent the season, not the holiday. 

• Make fall or winter decorations instead of holiday-themed decorations. 

• Turn the holidays into educational activities. For example, let students tell the class how their families celebrate holiday events. 

Holidays by the month.

October holiday events 

Some school districts may allow Halloween celebrations in the classroom, but that doesn’t mean all students can participate. Some families don’t celebrate Halloween due to religious beliefs. Others may not enjoy the holiday. As a substitute teacher, you must be able to show respect to all students. Here are some guidelines: 

• Avoid wearing Halloween costumes. Many school districts oppose teachers and staff wearing costumes because they can be distracting. They can also be a trip hazard or be offensive to some students and employees.  

• If your school district encourages you to wear a costume, make sure what you wear does not offend other cultures. For example, don’t dress up as a member of a different race or culture other than your own.  If you have any questions regarding whether a costume is appropriate, please consult with the school principal or, if you work with Kelly Education, your Talent Services team.  

• Find creative ways to dress festively, like wearing Halloween colors, buttons, stickers, scarves, belts, or pins on your clothes. This way, you remain professionally dressed but also can express your excitement for the season. 

• After implementing the teacher’s lesson plans, fill in extra time with activities focusing on fall weather and the changing seasons. 

November holiday events 

Thanksgiving is often part of teachers’ instructional materials. It can be a great way to teach students about American history. However, it will benefit everyone to remain culturally sensitive to all students. Here are some tips to help you navigate November holiday events: 

• Make sure the information you present is accurate. 

• Do not perpetuate stereotypes about Native Americans or any other group. 

• Focus on traditions, like the meal and gratitude. 

November is also Native American Heritage Month. The school curriculum will likely include instructional activities that celebrate Native American traditions. 

If it’s an election year, redirect conversation. As a substitute teacher, you should direct conversations to the lesson plans left for you. Please check out our article about navigating an election year in schools for more specific advice. 

December holiday events 

Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hannukah all bring large celebrations to families in December. Again, it is best to leave these holidays to families. You should never have ‘the talk” about Santa Claus with students! Of course, you can express excitement if a student shares a story with you.  

Many school districts have policies about end-of-year celebrations that don’t involve religion or cultural overtones. Instead, they celebrate the many accomplishments students have made throughout the year, personally and academically. Then, they focus on “new year” goal setting. Here are some back-up ideas to consider: 

• Implement winter-themed activities and lesson plans after you complete the teacher’s instructions. 

• Winter holidays often involve helping others, giving back, and helping students find ways to accomplish good deeds within the classroom, school, at home, or in the community. 

• Direct students towards the future and focus activities on setting goals for the following year.  

• Make a huge list of student accomplishments and display them in the classroom. 

Questions to help you navigate holiday events.

The holiday season is busy, and let’s face it, students are more excited at this festive time of year. To fulfill your substitute teacher duties, you must be prepared for the unexpected.   

Having winter-themed backup activities is a must. However, they must be appropriate for all students and not biased or exclusive. When creating activities around the holiday season, use the following questions to help: 

• Does this activity promote a specific religion or culture? 

• Does this activity oppress a particular religion or culture? 

• Does this activity meet the academic goals of the course? 

• Does this activity meet the standards of the school district? 

• Could this activity make a student feel left out, confused, or hurt? 

Your answer to each question should be no. If you struggle to develop activities, don’t hesitate to ask for help from the school district and fellow teachers. 

Grow as a substitute teacher or support staff with Kelly Education.

We have an entire library of articles with tips for substitute teachers. Check out all of our substitute teacher career advice. 

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