Substitute Teacher Resume examples & templates
Copyable Substitute Teacher Resume examples
Ever watched a classroom of twenty-seven 3rd graders suddenly pivot from chaos to concentration? That's the special magic substitute teachers bring to education. As the educational landscape shifts post-pandemic, substitute teaching has evolved from "just filling in" to becoming a critical component in maintaining educational continuity. With teacher shortages affecting 45 states according to recent NEA surveys, districts now view substitutes as essential partners rather than temporary solutions.
Substitute teaching offers remarkable flexibility alongside meaningful impact. You'll step into different environments daily—from kindergarten art classes to high school physics labs—while developing a versatile teaching toolkit that works across subjects and age groups. Many subs find this variety refreshing compared to traditional classroom roles. The position has changed significantly since 2020, with many districts implementing specialized training programs and creating "permanent substitute" positions with benefits packages. Whether you're testing the educational waters, supplementing another career, or building experience toward full-time teaching, subbing provides a front-row view of classroom dynamics without the take-home paperwork that burdens many full-time educators.
Junior Substitute Teacher Resume Example
Emma Patterson
Chicago, IL 60618 | (312) 555-8912 | epatterson@emaildomain.com | linkedin.com/in/emmapatterson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Recent Education graduate with 1+ year of substitute teaching experience across K-8 classrooms. Quick to adapt to different classroom environments and teaching styles while maintaining consistent classroom management. Skilled at implementing existing lesson plans and creating engaging supplementary activities when needed. Looking to build toward a full-time teaching position while continuing to gain diverse classroom experience.
EXPERIENCE
Substitute Teacher | Chicago Public Schools | September 2022 – Present
- Cover classes for absent teachers across 8 different elementary and middle schools in the district
- Maintain classroom management and follow established lesson plans for classes of 18-32 students
- Adapt teaching approaches to accommodate diverse learning needs, including ESL students and those with IEPs
- Received 93% positive feedback from permanent teachers regarding classroom management and lesson execution
- Selected as preferred substitute by 4 schools due to reliability and classroom rapport
Student Teacher | Lincoln Elementary School | January 2022 – May 2022
- Completed 16-week student teaching practicum in a 3rd grade classroom
- Gradually assumed full teaching responsibilities, including lesson planning, instruction, and assessment
- Created and implemented a 3-week science unit on ecosystems that increased student engagement by 27%
- Collaborated with mentor teacher to develop individualized strategies for 3 struggling readers
After-School Program Assistant | Bright Horizons Learning Center | August 2021 – December 2021
- Supervised groups of 10-15 elementary students during after-school hours
- Assisted with homework completion and created educational activities
- Communicated daily with parents regarding student progress and behavior
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education | Northern Illinois University | May 2022 GPA: 3.7/4.0 | Dean’s List: 6 semesters
CERTIFICATIONS
Illinois Professional Educator License with Elementary Education Endorsement (K-9) | June 2022
CPR and First Aid Certified | March 2022
Google Certified Educator Level 1 | August 2022
SKILLS
- Classroom Management
- Lesson Plan Implementation
- Differentiated Instruction
- Behavior Management
- Google Classroom
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Conflict Resolution
- Parent Communication
- Special Education Support
- Assessment Administration
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: Conversational Spanish
Volunteer: Reading Buddy Program, Chicago Public Library (weekly, Sept 2021-Present)
Mid-level Substitute Teacher Resume Example
JENNIFER MORALES
Portland, OR • (503) 629-8741 • j.morales84@email.com • linkedin.com/in/jennifermorales
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Versatile substitute teacher with 5+ years covering K-12 classrooms across multiple districts. Quickly adapts to varied curriculums while maintaining educational continuity for students. Known for building rapport fast and managing classroom behavior effectively (even with the “challenging” classes that regular subs avoid!). Bilingual Spanish/English speaker with special education experience.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Substitute Teacher | Portland Public School District | Portland, OR | Aug 2021 – Present
- Maintain 96% positive feedback rating from teachers based on classroom management and adherence to lesson plans
- Selected for “preferred sub” status at 4 elementary schools due to consistent reliability and classroom rapport
- Developed emergency lesson plans now distributed to all district substitutes for unexpected curriculum gaps
- Cover long-term assignments (2+ weeks) for teachers on medical or family leave, maintaining curriculum continuity
- Mentor new substitute teachers through informal shadowing program I created with principal approval
Substitute Teacher | Beaverton School District | Beaverton, OR | Jan 2019 – Aug 2021
- Filled approximately 117 teaching assignments annually across 7 elementary and 3 middle schools
- Modified existing lesson plans to accommodate diverse learning styles and special needs when necessary
- Maintained detailed notes for returning teachers, including behavior issues, curriculum progress, and standout student work
- Completed 87 hours of professional development in classroom management and special education techniques
After-School Program Assistant | Bright Horizons Learning Center | Portland, OR | Sep 2017 – Dec 2018
- Supervised groups of 12-18 elementary students during after-school enrichment programs
- Created weekly hands-on STEM activities that increased program enrollment by 14%
- Collaborated with lead teachers to ensure homework completion and academic support
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education | Portland State University | 2017
Oregon Restricted Substitute Teaching License | Valid through June 2024
CPR/First Aid Certification | American Red Cross | Renewed Jan 2023
Crisis Prevention Intervention Training | Completed March 2021
SKILLS
- Classroom Management
- Behavior Intervention Strategies
- Curriculum Adaptation
- Special Education Support
- Student Engagement Techniques
- Google Classroom/Educational Technology
- Spanish Language Fluency
- Conflict Resolution
- Differentiated Instruction
- Emergency Response Protocols
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Volunteer Tutor | Portland Literacy Project | 2018-Present
Provide twice-weekly reading support to struggling elementary readers, focusing on phonics and comprehension strategies.
Senior / Experienced Substitute Teacher Resume Example
Margaret “Peggy” Donovan
Portland, OR 97205 • (503) 555-8721 • pdonovan.edu@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peggydonovan-educator
Versatile substitute teacher with 9+ years supporting K-12 classrooms across multiple subject areas. Known for maintaining instructional continuity and classroom management while full-time teachers are absent. Quickly adapt to different school cultures, teaching styles, and student needs. Particularly effective with special education students and in high-need districts where consistency benefits vulnerable student populations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Long-Term Substitute Teacher – Portland Public Schools, Portland, OR
September 2019 – Present
- Serve as preferred substitute for 7 schools within the district, maintaining 94% fill rate for requested assignments
- Cover extended medical leaves and sabbaticals, including a 4-month assignment teaching 10th grade English for teacher on maternity leave
- Created supplemental curriculum materials for 6th grade science unit when existing materials weren’t meeting student needs
- Collaborate with permanent teachers to provide detailed notes and follow lesson plans with fidelity
- Participated in district-wide equity training and applied principles to support diverse student populations
Substitute Teacher – Beaverton School District, Beaverton, OR
August 2015 – August 2019
- Maintained active status in district sub pool covering K-8 classrooms
- Developed reputation for effectively managing classrooms with challenging behaviors, resulting in being specifically requested for certain classes
- Filled 178 substitute days during 2018-2019 school year, exceeding district average by 23%
- Adapted lesson delivery for students with IEPs and 504 plans while maintaining regular classroom routines
- Volunteered for hard-to-fill Friday assignments, earning “Sub of the Month” recognition twice
Substitute Educational Assistant – Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Salem, OR
January 2014 – June 2015
- Provided classroom support primarily in special education classrooms
- Assisted with small group instruction, one-on-one student support, and behavior management
- Gained valuable experience with IEPs and behavior intervention plans that informed later teaching work
- Helped put in place sensory breaks and de-escalation techniques for students with emotional regulation challenges
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Teaching
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR – 2015
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR – 2013
CERTIFICATIONS
Oregon Teaching License (K-12 Multiple Subjects) – Expires 2025
Special Education Endorsement – Added 2018
CPR/First Aid Certified – Renewed annually
Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Training – 2017
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices Workshop (2022)
- Google Classroom for Substitutes (2020)
- Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom (2019)
- Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies (2017)
SKILLS
- Classroom Management
- Lesson Plan Implementation
- Behavior Intervention
- Educational Technology (SMART Boards, Google Classroom, Seesaw)
- Special Education Support
- ESL/ELL Student Support
- Emergency Response Protocols
- Adaptability to Different Age Groups
- Detailed Documentation
- Conflict Resolution
How to Write a Substitute Teacher Resume
Introduction
Landing substitute teaching positions often means competing with dozens of other qualified candidates. Your resume is that crucial first impression that can make or break your chances of getting called for assignments. As someone who's reviewed thousands of sub applications over the years, I've seen what works—and what gets tossed aside. This guide will walk you through creating a resume that showcases your classroom management skills, subject flexibility, and reliability (the three things districts value most in their subs).
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your substitute teacher resume clean and scannable. Most school administrators spend less than 45 seconds reviewing each application!
- Stick to 1 page for most substitute roles (unless you have 7+ years of diverse teaching experience)
- Use a clean, professional font like Calibri or Arial at 11-12pt
- Include clear section headings with slightly larger font
- Maintain consistent spacing (single-spaced text with double spaces between sections)
- Save as a PDF unless specifically requested in another format
- Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_SubstituteResume.pdf"
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a focused 3-4 sentence summary that highlights your teaching style, classroom management approach, and availability. This is your "hook" to keep administrators reading.
Tailor your summary to match the specific school district's needs. Research their values and challenges beforehand—some districts struggle with classroom management while others need subject specialists. Adapt accordingly!
Example: "Reliable substitute teacher with 3+ years of experience across K-8 settings. Strong background in maintaining lesson plan continuity while adding engaging elements to keep students focused. Known for detailed end-of-day reports that help regular teachers track progress. Available Monday-Friday with 1-hour response time to last-minute requests."
Professional Experience
List your teaching experience in reverse chronological order. For substitute roles, try these approaches:
- Group similar substitute experiences under one heading if you've worked for multiple schools in a district
- Include approximate days/hours substituted (e.g., "Completed 87 full-day assignments across 6 elementary schools")
- Highlight specific grade levels or subjects where you have the most experience
- Focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities (e.g., "Received call-back requests from 14 different teachers" rather than "Followed lesson plans")
- Mention specific classroom management techniques that worked well
Education and Certifications
Your educational credentials are particularly important for substitute roles. Include:
- Your degree(s) with graduation years and institutions
- Teaching credential or substitute permit information with expiration dates
- Relevant coursework if you're new to education
- Additional certifications like CPR/First Aid, Crisis Prevention, or specialized training
- Any background check clearances you already have (saves districts time)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger school districts use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before human eyes ever see them. Include these keywords naturally throughout your resume:
- Classroom management
- Lesson plan implementation
- Student engagement
- Behavior management
- Adaptability
- Special education experience (if applicable)
- Technology integration
- District-specific curriculum names (like "Everyday Math" or "Lucy Calkins Writing")
Industry-specific Terms
Show your familiarity with education by naturally incorporating terms like IEP, formative assessment, differentiated instruction, or positive behavioral interventions. Just don't overdo it—2-3 specific terms used correctly is better than cramming in educational jargon.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing every single school you've subbed at without context or achievements
- Using generic phrases like "good with kids" (be specific about your classroom approach)
- Forgetting to highlight reliability metrics (response time, attendance record)
- Omitting your availability schedule or preferences
- Including irrelevant work experience without showing transferable skills
Before/After Example
Before: "Substituted for absent teachers. Followed lesson plans. Managed student behavior."
After: "Maintained instructional continuity across 42 substitute assignments for grades 3-5, implementing existing lesson plans while incorporating quick engagement strategies for transition periods. Reduced behavior incidents by 36% compared to other substitutes through consistent expectations and positive reinforcement techniques."
Remember—your substitute resume isn't just about listing where you've taught. It's about showing how you maintain classroom stability and support student learning even during the regular teacher's absence!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Substitute Teacher resume
- Classroom management – Handle diverse student behaviors while maintaining a productive learning environment in unfamiliar classrooms
- Adaptability – Quick thinking to adjust lesson plans on short notice when materials are incomplete or student needs differ from expectations
- Communication – Connect with students, permanent teachers, and staff despite limited time to build relationships
- Conflict resolution – De-escalate tense situations between students without disrupting the entire class flow
- Empathy – Recognize when students are struggling to understand concepts and provide alternative explanations tailored to different learning styles
- Time management – Balance covering required material while transitioning between activities smoothly in an unfamiliar schedule
Hard skills for your Substitute Teacher resume
- SMART Board software proficiency
- Google Classroom management
- Lesson plan adaptation across K-12 subjects
- CPR/First Aid certification
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) implementation
- EdTech tool navigation (Kahoot, Nearpod, Quizlet)
- Student Information System (SIS) data entry
- IEP/504 accommodation implementation
- Crisis prevention intervention techniques