First, I want to acknowledge the real frustration behind this question. No one becomes an educator to see learning stall. When a teacher steps away—whether it’s for illness, family needs, or unforeseen circumstances—everyone feels the effects. Students lose consistency, colleagues pick up extra support, and administrators scramble to find coverage.

The truth is, most schools are operating with substitute shortages. Even the most well-intentioned principal may struggle to match content-area expertise with classroom needs. But while we can’t always control who’s available, we can control how we prepare and support both students and subs before, during, and after an absence.

Here are a few practices I’ve seen make a difference:

1. Plan for Continuity, Not Just Coverage.
   Create emergency plans that focus on learning rhythms—independent reading routines, online modules, or peer-led discussions—so students stay engaged in purposeful work even if the sub isn’t a subject expert.
   
   
2. Communicate Early and Often.
   When teachers know a leave is coming, even short-term, principals can work with teams to identify priority standards and shared lesson banks. Transparency helps everyone feel part of the solution.
   
   
3. Empower Support Staff and Teams.
   A paraprofessional, instructional coach, or trusted colleague can check in with classes or review student work periodically to maintain connection and momentum.
   
   
4. Equip Subs with a Clear Structure.
   Even if content knowledge is limited, structure brings stability. Daily agendas, class norms, and student helpers can make a substitute feel part of the team rather than just a placeholder.
   
   

And finally, extend grace to yourself and to one another. These moments test the system, but they also reveal its strength. When we choose collaboration over criticism and curiosity over blame, we model the very resilience we hope to build in our students.

Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” 

Have you experienced a time when your school community came together to keep learning going during an absence? What worked best?

Share your ideas—your solution may inspire another educator facing the same challenge today.