Substitute Teacher Job Description for Resume

Teaching is one of the most rewarding career paths, and, whether you decide to become a substitute teacher as a step towards becoming a full-time teacher, or this is your dream job, teaching attracts many passionate people who want to make a difference in the lives of children. Unfortunately, that shared passion can mean that substitute teacher jobs are competitive, and you’ll need to do whatever you can to stand out from the crowd. If you’re trying to figure out how to write a job description for a substitute teacher on your next resume, we’ve put together some of our very best advice, alongside substitute teacher job description examples!

PS: We’ve made it easy for you, but if you want things even easier, why not take out the guesswork and leave it in the hands of our resume writers? We’re ready and waiting to craft the perfect substitute teacher job description for your resume.

Substitute Teacher Job Description for Resume

First of all, there are a few ground rules you should take into account when you begin writing your resume’s work experience section.

Keep this in mind: each job posting you see is, essentially, a company describing a problem they have. Your resume’s job is to explain how you’ll solve that problem. Read the job description carefully to determine what the “problem” is. For example, if you see a position for a substitute teacher that specifically requests experience with children with disabilities, you can probably safely assume that the school is currently educating children with complex needs that need to be well understood by staff. You can then use that information to customize your resume to demonstrate that you’re the best candidate for the role.

When writing your work experience, the most important thing to remember is to discuss results, not just your work responsibilities. Potential employers should already understand the day-to-day tasks you completed at your previous positions. What they’re actually interested in is what you achieved, and how it positively impacted the workplace. Your work experience section should be a place where you can brag as much as you want!

Substitute Teacher Job Description for Resume: Example One

Substitute Teacher | Rosa Parks Middle School | 2012 - Present

• Acted as a “floater” assigned to different classrooms each day, ranging in age from 10 to 14 and adjusting teaching methods as appropriate
• Fostered relationships with students, teachers, and families in order to effectively assist students and understand lesson plans in the absence of their usual teacher

Why it works: A substitute teacher who's been working at the job for a long period of time likely has many different stories and examples about why they’re great at their job; the difficult part can be deciding what makes it onto the resume! This job description works well because it takes a few key moments in the applicant’s career that could easily be applied to a new position.

Substitute Teacher Job Description for Resume: Example Two

Substitute Teacher | Abraham Lincoln High School | 2018 - Present

• Assisted in a high school setting, working mainly with roughly 50 special education students ages 14 to 19
• Suggested curriculum changes based on individual student needs, ensuring students who react negatively to change understand expectations while being taught by substitute teachers

Why it works: This substitute teacher applicant has specialized in a particular area of education; specifically, special education. If the “problem” in the job description this applicant saw was a lack of support for a special education program, this job description would almost definitely warrant a second look from a hiring manager.

Substitute Teacher Job Description for Resume: Example Three

Substitute Teacher | Mildred Walke Primary School | 2020 - Present

• Acted as a long-term substitute teacher for a 3rd grade class of about 25 whose teacher was on a year-long maternity leave, fostering individual relationships with students in order to encourage an open learning environment
• Met with students and families to discuss student progress and achievements, adjusting lesson plans and scheduling individual tutoring sessions as needed

Why it works: Sometimes, substitute teachers aren’t just for a day – when a teacher is out for a long period of time, schools usually try and hire one substitute for the entire period so as to not confuse or disrupt the students. This substitute teacher had a similar experience, and effectively explaining the situation in their job description will help them stand apart.