No matter how well you plan, as a teacher there will always be times when you cannot attend school and must call in to request a substitute teacher. This section provides an overview of how to get started in preparing information and materials for the times when you are not at school. For substitute teachers, this section can give you insight into what regular classroom teachers are trying to achieve in their preparation for you to have a successful day with their students. There are at least five categories that need to be included in your preparations for the substitute teacher. They include:         Preparing Your Students         Essential Information         Daily Plans for your Classroom         Emergency Plans         Lagniappe Many teachers dread having to miss school because it disrupts the learning process, besides requiring a lot of extra work to prepare for a substitute. However, much of the preparation is a one-time job with only a little bit of updating right before you know you will need a substitute. When you absolutely have to miss school, contact the people who hire substitutes as quickly as possible. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent, tell one of your administrators so that he or she will be aware and look out for your class. Also, it is a great idea to call one of your colleagues from school to enlist help in greeting the substitute and being available for questions or assistance. Of course, you also need to volunteer to return the favor when a colleague requests your assistance in an absence.