Author Genesis Johnson always wanted to teach. But as with many of us, life took her in a different direction after college—until the day she got the chance to try substitute teaching. That was her first taste of life in the classroom, and since then she has never left.

Now, with Substitute Teaching Essentials: A Veteran’s Guide to Becoming a Great Substitute Teacher, Dr. Johnson is helping others follow her path. The objective of this guidebook is to encourage those new to the profession—students considering teaching as a career, people returning to the work force after time away, or professionals from other vocations who want a change—to consider substitute teaching.

As the demand for qualified substitutes continues to grow, it is imperative that those coming in as first-time substitute teachers have a sense of what to expect in the classroom. Substitute Teaching Essentials preps the novice substitute on the essential skills needed to thrive in a dynamic educational environment. It will help the substitute teacher become successful at planning, organizing, and using skills and strategies that affect the daily routine of a classroom.

Teaching guidebooks vary in focus and scope, but this one—appropriate for inclusion in an introductory elementary or secondary education course, in a traditional or continuing education program—is unique in that it addresses the specific requirements of the substitute teaching process, from filling out the job application to understanding what supplies are needed and how to function in the role of guest teacher. The particular responsibilities of a substitute teacher are as varied as the schools substitutes serve, but the principles offered in this text represent a common standard of leadership and best practices in education.