"You walk into your room the next day and just whisper, '…what happened?'"

Welcome back to Schoolwide Download — Season 2: Beyond the Lesson Plan! We are kicking off a brand-new season by diving into an experience every educator knows all too well: the day you have a substitute teacher.

Join hosts Dave Clark and Robin Szary from the Butler County Educational Service Center (BCESC) as they explore the legendary chaos of sub days, the "spicy" debate over AI-generated plans, and why having a sub is actually the ultimate test of your classroom routines.

• [00:00] Opening Spark: Welcome to Season 2! We're moving beyond the lesson plan to talk about the real teacher truths.

• [01:13] The Substitute Files: Dave and Robin share their most "legendary" sub stories—from the worksheet avalanche to the mystery notes left on the desk.

• [09:30] What We Actually Learn: Why your students' behavior with a sub is the best data you'll ever get on your classroom management and routines.

• [13:20] The Great Debate: Should every teacher have an AI-powered emergency sub plan? We weigh the efficiency of AI against the necessity of the "human element."

• [21:07] Try This Tomorrow: A step-by-step guide to building a 10-minute AI emergency sub plan using ChatGPT.

Don't let a sudden sick day cause a panic. Follow this 10-minute workflow:

1. Open ChatGPT or Gemini.

2. Use this Prompt: "Create a one-day emergency sub plan for a [Insert Grade] class that reviews [Insert Standard/Topic]. Include clear directions, an opening warm-up, independent work, and an extension activity for early finishers."

3. Copy, paste, and drop it into your emergency folder. Your future self will thank you!

• "Maybe the sweet spot is letting AI prep the plan… while the human brings it to life."

• "Sub days are the ultimate test of your routines. How students reveal their true understanding when you aren't there tells you everything."

• Website: www.bcesc.org

• Follow Us: Stay tuned for more episodes on the great classroom debates, from student voice to digital fatigue.

• Share Your Story: Have a wild substitute story? Tag us on social media using #SchoolwideDownload!

Brought to you by the Butler County Educational Service Center.

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