There is nothing shameful about staying home when you are really sick. However, there will be times when you are definitely not at your best but still not sick enough to stay home and use a sick day. These are the days when you need to learn to be your own best sub.

Being your own best sub means that you are not going to put a ton of energy into your lesson for the day. You might have the students copy notes, watch a pertinent and educationally sound movie, or give the students worksheets to complete in class. Of course this is not the way you should typically run your classroom. However, it is perfectly acceptable to do this every once in a while. Even on days when you are “subbing” for yourself, students will achieve more educationally than on days when actual subs are running your class.