Safety drills in schools: What to do as a special education substitute teacher.

When it comes to safety drills in schools, special education substitute teachers need to be aware of how to support students with special needs. Students who need support during safety drills usually have a plan in place. You’ll need to be familiar with that plan and execute on it.

Guidance for safety drills in schools as a special education substitute teacher:

• Ask administration for student-specific plan to review
• Identify the school exit routes
• Locate evacuation equipment, if needed
• Know where you are meeting
• Consider communication and sensory challenges

Planning safety drills for students with special needs.

School administrators understand the importance of ensuring that every student in the building can participate in school safety drills. Before the start of each school year (and in the process of accepting new students into the building), school administrators consider each student’s needs, including mobility issues, sensory differences, cognitive abilities, and communication challenges, to develop tailored safety strategies.

Talk to your special education supervisor or other administrator about safety drills in your school or classroom. Your administrator may explain these procedures to you or direct you to a binder or other materials in the classroom, which will inform you on how to best care for your students with special needs.

Regular practice drills.

Administrators often conduct specific evacuation safety drills in schools to support students with special needs. These may include role-play scenarios. If you’re part of a special education evacuation drill, be sure that you understand your role — your team is counting on you!

Identify exit routes.

Many safety drills require teachers to guide students as they exit the building. Exits should be marked clearly with visual cues. You may need to use exits designed for wheelchair users or students with mobility aids.

If you have a student who needs a specialized exit and you are unsure of where to go, ask other staff members and/or review the evacuation plan before the school day begins. It’s not recommended that you lift or otherwise move a student during a safety drill.

Locate evacuation equipment.

Some students may need specialized equipment, such as an evacuation chair, to help them get out of the building safely. These tools are only necessary if specified as such by the school or classroom’s safety evacuation plan. Only use this equipment if you have been trained and approved to do so.

Know where you’re going.

Meeting at a designated point outside the school is a key part of most safety drills. It’s important to know where you’re to stand outside with your students.

For example, you may know that the school meets on the football field during a fire drill, but you also need to know specifically where you’re to stand with your class. For example, your meeting point might be next to the concession stand, on the ten-yard line, etc. Be sure to get this information from your school administrator before your safety drill.

What to do during safety drills in schools.

The buddy system.

Many schools use the “buddy” system during safety drills to provide students with special needs extra support. A specific staff member may serve as a buddy for one or more students in your classroom.

It’s unlikely that you’ll be asked to serve as a buddy, as most districts offer contingency plans if the classroom teacher is not available. If you are asked to be a buddy, keep your student close to you at all times. Some students may not be comfortable saying they need help or are feeling overwhelmed, so keep an eye out for non-verbal signs that students may need your support.

Communication strategies.

For students with hearing or other differences, it can be hard to understand directives during safety drills. Typically, a student support team of teachers and administrators will develop clear communication methods to help students who need additional support.

If you’re unable to work with the student support team, using gestures like putting a hand up to indicate “stop” or pointing in a certain direction can help. If necessary, you can also use paper and pencil to communicate necessary information.

Sensory considerations.

Some students may experience sensory overload during safety drills. Flashing lights, loud noises, and unusual movement in the classroom and hallways can be overwhelming.

• Support the student with calming techniques, breathing exercises, or grounding exercises
• Provide devices like noise-canceling headphones. This can help a student with sensory issues stay calm.
• Remember, students take behavioral cues from you — if you stay calm and keep a positive demeanor, it’s easier for students to do the same.

Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education.

If you’re interested in making a difference as a substitute teacher, we’re here to help. At Kelly Education, we provide training and development to help you create positive, productive classrooms.

Check out the resources below to learn more about supporting all students, handling emergencies in schools, and your role as a substitute teacher:

• Inclusive Learning: How substitute teachers can use Universal Design for Learning strategies
• Emergency procedures in schools: What substitute teachers need to know
• The difference between substitute teacher and paraprofessional job duties

If you or someone you know is interested in substitute teaching, fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. We’ll also share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher or support staff with one of our school district partners.

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