When the Substitute Teacher Plays by Different Rules: A Student’s Perspective
We’ve all been there: a substitute teacher walks into the classroom, and suddenly, the unspoken rules of the school year shift. Maybe they’re stricter. Maybe they’re more observant. Or maybe—like in my case—they notice a behavior that every other teacher has casually ignored… and decide to make an example of you.
Let me set the scene. At my high school, there’s an unofficial understanding between students and most full-time teachers. Small, harmless habits—like discreetly chewing gum, whispering to a friend during independent work time, or even doodling in the margins of a notebook—are often overlooked. Teachers seem to pick their battles, prioritizing classroom flow over minor distractions. That is, until the day Mrs. Carter, a substitute teacher covering for our usual history instructor, decided those “harmless” habits were worth a detention slip.
The Incident That Broke the Camel’s Back
It started like any other Thursday. I was sitting in my usual spot, third row by the window, half-listening to a class discussion about the Industrial Revolution. Out of habit, I pulled out a stick of gum. Let’s be clear: chewing gum isn’t technically allowed, but no one enforces it. Even my strictest teachers have only ever given a polite “toss it, please” without consequence. But Mrs. Carter? She froze mid-sentence, locked eyes with me, and said, “Detention. After school. Today.”
The room went silent. My classmates stared. I blinked, waiting for the punchline. But there was none. When I tried to explain that “no one cares about gum here,” she replied, “Rules are rules. They’re posted on the wall for a reason.”
Substitute Teachers: Why the Sudden Strictness?
Later, replaying the incident in my head, I wondered: Why do substitutes sometimes crack down on behaviors regular teachers ignore? After talking to friends and even a few teachers, I realized a few things.
First, substitutes operate in a unique position. They’re temporary authority figures trying to maintain control in an unfamiliar environment. Enforcing smaller rules—like the gum policy—might feel like a way to establish authority quickly. One teacher admitted, “Substitutes often worry about losing the room. If they let little things slide, students might test bigger boundaries.”
Second, substitutes don’t have the luxury of long-term rapport. My history teacher knows I’m a respectful student who occasionally slips up. Mrs. Carter didn’t. She saw a kid breaking a rule and reacted by the book, unaware of the classroom’s usual dynamics.
The Frustration of Inconsistent Enforcement
What stung most wasn’t the detention itself—it was the inconsistency. When rules are selectively enforced, fairness feels like a myth. If chewing gum is a punishable offense, why does it go ignored 99% of the time? And why am I the one paying the price on the one day someone decides to care?
This inconsistency creates confusion. Students start to see rules as flexible suggestions rather than boundaries. We learn to “read the room” instead of internalizing expectations. Worse, it breeds resentment when consequences feel random or disproportionate.
How to Navigate the Substitute Teacher Dilemma
So, what’s a student to do when faced with a substitute who plays by a different rulebook? Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Assume Every Rule Is Enforced
Temporarily adopt a “by the book” mindset. Even if regular teachers are lenient, assume substitutes aren’t. Save the gum for lunchtime.
2. Ask for Clarification (Respectfully)
If a substitute calls you out for something unusual, calmly say, “I apologize. My usual teachers allow this during independent work. Could you clarify the rule?” This opens a dialogue without sounding defiant.
3. Document the Incident
If a punishment feels unfair, politely ask for a written explanation. Later, discuss it with your regular teacher or a counselor. Most will advocate for you if the consequence was unreasonable.
4. Reflect on the Bigger Picture
Use the experience to practice adaptability. In college or workplaces, you’ll encounter leaders with varying expectations. Learning to adjust quickly is a life skill.
What I Wish Teachers Understood
To educators reading this: Consistency matters. If a rule isn’t important enough to enforce daily, consider revising it. Mixed signals confuse students and undermine trust. If you do overlook minor issues, explain why: “I allow gum because it helps some students focus, but if it becomes disruptive, that privilege disappears.” Transparency builds mutual respect.
The Silver Lining
Looking back, that detention taught me two lessons. First, authority figures aren’t a monolith—they bring their own biases and experiences to the job. Second, fairness isn’t about everyone being treated the same; it’s about everyone understanding the why behind the rules.
Mrs. Carter and I never saw eye-to-eye, but her strictness forced me to rethink how I navigate expectations. Sometimes, the teacher who frustrates you the most becomes the one you remember—not for the detention slip, but for the perspective shift you didn’t know you needed.
So, the next time a substitute walks in, I’ll stash the gum. And maybe—just maybe—I’ll thank them for keeping me on my toes.
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