Classroom Management Skills That Get You Requested in High School Classrooms
The specific moves that make high school teachers and admins request you by name. 5 proven strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and field-tested quick tips.
5
Strategies
3
Quick Tips
High School
Grade Level
Why Classroom Management Matters for High School Substitute Teachers
Classroom Management is the differentiator for substitutes in high school settings. You walk in with zero relationships. The subs who get requested repeatedly are the ones who establish calm authority and keep learning on track from the first minute using deliberate, repeatable techniques.
Practical Strategies
Treat students as young adults by explaining the reasoning behind expectations
Enforce phone and earbud policies consistently from the start of class
Use bell-ringer activities so students are engaged the moment they sit down
Maintain a calm, confident tone — high schoolers can sense uncertainty immediately
Allow brief, structured social time as a reward for on-task behavior
Common Challenges in High School
Students leaving class without permission or arriving excessively late
Widespread phone use and refusal to put devices away
Students claiming the sub has no authority and refusing to engage with assignments
Quick Tips
Introduce yourself briefly and show genuine interest — high schoolers respect authenticity
Do not confiscate phones; instead, state the expectation and document non-compliance
If a student escalates, stay calm and say 'I hear you — let's figure this out after class'
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
This is skills-based professional development training only. It does not constitute state certification, a teaching license, or a guarantee of employment or assignments. All substitute teaching authorization and certification is issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district authorities.
This is skills-based professional development training only. It does not constitute state certification, a teaching license, or a guarantee of employment or assignments. All substitute teaching authorization and certification is issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district authorities. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, and credentials are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by training providers.
Master Classroom Management and Get Called More as a High School Sub
Practical techniques that turn one-off days into reliable work. All substitute teaching authorization is issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district authorities.
Substitute Teacher Training provides practical skills development and resources to help substitute teachers perform more effectively in the classroom. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, permits, and credentials are issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district education authorities. Decisions about hiring, pay rates, assignments, and any required credentials are made solely by schools, districts, and state education authorities. Completion of our courses results in a Certificate of Completion for professional development purposes only. We do not issue, approve, or guarantee any form of certification or employment.