Substitute Teacher Job Description: Salary, Duties, Skills
A Substitute Teacher is someone who fills in when a resident teacher is not available. There could be a number of reasons why the resident teacher would not be able to attend. A death in the family to illness. A Substitute Teacher is called into a district when this happens and helps to ensure all class material continues to move forward with the designated curriculum.
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Substitute Teacher Job Description Sample
Substitute Teachers play a critical roll in the development of our youth. Primarily, Substitute Teachers place their focus on the K-12 grade levels. All classrooms must have the appropriate adult supervision in the classrooms. When resident teachers are not able to attend the class for the day due to a number of reasons (death in the family, illness or other) a Substitute Teacher is called on. A typical Substitute Teacher day includes the management of the classroom, reviewing class material, ensuring the class course is on schedule, taking attendance, taking notes as to what was covered in the curriculum and attending all teacher meetings.
Related: 5+ Best Substitute Teacher Interview Questions & Answers
Substitute Teacher Resume Summary
This is how you might describe your position as a Substitute Teacher in a resume summary, executive summary or professional summary:
5+ years working as a TA. Passion for education. Able to manage larger classroom sizes. PEL certified. Substitute License. Ability to be flexible with working hours.
Substitute Teacher National Average Salary
National average salary for a Substitute Teacher is provided by The U.S. Department of Labor. National averages are a cumulative total average as seen by a non-specific geographic mean average. That means this is the average salary that you might expect to have (regardless of geographic region) when entering into this job function.
National average salary: $8.40/hr - $19.80/hr
Substitute Teacher Duties & Responsibilities
- Meet and instruct the classroom in the location and times designated
- Maintain a classroom environment that is professional and conducive to education
- Report on all class material that was covered for the allotted time of substitution
- Employe instructional techniques to ensure students are learning at their highest ability
- Strive for greatness in the classroom by embracing educational media types
- Establish healthy relationships with students in order to educate clearly, effectively, and efficiently
Substitute Teacher Skills
- Verbal communication skills
- Influence skills
- Leadership skills
- Organizational skills
- Time management skills
- Detail-oriented skills
Substitute Teacher Requirements
- 1+ years working alongside students in a classroom
- Strong ability to manage a classroom of students
- Ability to pass State & FBI background checks if requested
- Strong belief that every child has a unique learning ability and a passion to tapping into that
- Bachelor's degree in Education a plus
- High School or GED education required
- Any state level educator license (PEL) or Substitute License

Other Teacher Resources
- Learn how to write the ideal cover letter when applying for a teaching position - 2 Cover Letter Templates For Teachers (Copy + Paste Ready)
- Learn how to write the ideal cover letter when applying for a substitute teaching position - 2 Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Templates (Copy + Paste Ready)
- Learn what the top five mistakes are and how to avoid them, when writing a cover letter for a teaching position - 5 Cover Letter Mistakes Teachers Should Avoid (+ Examples)
- Learn what the five best teacher aide interview questions and answers are - 5+ Best Teacher Aide Interview Questions & Answers
- Learn what the five best teacher assistant interview questions and answers are - 5+ Best Teacher Assistant Interview Questions & Answers
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