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As a substitute teacher, paraeducator, or support staff in schools, building rapport — making meaningful connections — helps everyone achieve the goal of positively impacting student success.
Rapport doesn't happen immediately. Like any solid relationship, it takes a little time. Your goal as a colleague is to build trust, get on the same page, communicate effectively, and support one another.
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Benefits of building rapport with faculty.
Building rapport with faculty and staff allows you to become part of the school community.- You can trust the people you work with, and they trust you.
- You know who to go to with a question.
- Work is more fun when you get to know people.
- You become a preferred substitute educator.
9 ways to build strong relationships at school.
As a substitute teacher or paraeducator, you can sometimes feel like an outsider. Building relationships will not only give you a sense of belonging, it can help you become a preferred choice for future assignments. Schools are busy places and you may not know when is the right time to make a connection. Let's look at a few strategies so that you can become a valuable part of the school community.1. Be friendly.
The first few encounters with the faculty and staff of a school system are critical and can shape the relationships you form. To ensure you make a great impression, follow these tips:- Be polite.
- Smile when you greet people.
- Show respect to everyone.
- Show appreciation.
2. Ask the right questions.
You will have questions about process and routine as a substitute teacher. Ask them, but be aware that your colleagues don't have more than a few minutes to help you. Be precise in communicating your needs to avoid distracting faculty or staff from their own responsibilities. For example, if there's a schedule change, ask for that information only. Avoid going into detail about why you don't know about the change or any other unimportant information.3. Be punctual and reliable.
Faculty, staff, and administrators appreciate those who show up on time, in the right place, and are ready to work. One teacher or substitute teacher being late or absent affects many more people than just the students in the classroom. Being punctual and reliable shows that you take the job seriously. When you accept an assignment, make sure you understand when, where, and what time to be there.4. Follow school policies.
You must follow the substitute teacher requirements set by the school and hiring agency. It's inappropriate to try to change routines just because the teacher is absent. Your job is to carry out classroom instructions as the regular teacher planned. Avoid assuming you fully understand policies that may seem simple or obvious. Some substitute teacher duties are:- Knowing when to show up for assignments.
- How to handle hall passes.
- Taking and recording attendance.
- Taking lunch counts.
- Procedures for making classroom transitions.
- Using the school or classroom behavior management system.
- Handling discipline problems.
- What to do in an emergency.
5. Communicate with the regular teacher.
Communicating with the teacher is crucial. Students must receive consistent education, and the regular teacher must be informed that they have stayed on track. Report information in your end of day note:- Lesson plan progress
- Discipline issues
- Attendance
- Changes to the schedule
- Emergencies
- Questions from students or parents
6. Help when you can.
Offer to assist with minor tasks, like covering a class for a few minutes or helping with a quick setup. There are questions you can ask faculty and staff that show you are interested in learning from them:- What can I do to help you?
- How can I help make your day better?
- Is there a task I can take over for you today?
- Are there ways we can collaborate?
7. Maintain a positive attitude.
Even if the day gets tough, try to stay positive. Colleagues will appreciate your ability to remain calm under pressure, and it will reflect well on your professionalism.- Find ways to show appreciation to other faculty, staff, and students.
- Be thankful for the people and events you encounter.
- Focus on doing your best as a substitute teacher.
- Offer compliments to other faculty and staff.
- Avoid negative self-talk.
- Use your strengths throughout the day.
- Find ways to learn and improve your skills and build confidence.
8. Be respectful and discreet.
Avoid gossiping or speaking negatively about students, teachers, or policies. Instead, focus on maintaining a respectful and professional tone in conversations. If you find someone trying to engage you in drama, redirect the conversation or politely remove yourself.9. Thank the support staff.
Remember to show appreciation to the front office staff, custodians, and paraprofessionals. They are often your best resources during the day, and can make your time at school more manageable. Your interactions with all school employees can affect the day's operations, ultimately impacting student learning. Staff and faculty will remember the compliments and "thank-you" messages you give them. They will encourage peers to hire you for a substitute teacher job, because of the positive way you made them feel.Grow with Kelly Education.
Building good relationships with faculty and staff can help make your experience more enjoyable and increase the chances of being invited back. The more you enjoy your work and the more opportunities you receive, the better you can make a difference in a student's life. Kelly Education has a whole library of substitute teaching advice so you can confidently lead your class. Check out these articles to get started:-
- Pro tips for teaching in elementary, middle, and high school
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