Substitute Teacher Resume—Examples & Template for 2024

Substitute teachers work on short notice, managing classrooms and picking up where teachers leave off. A substitute teacher resume must prove skills in classroom management and student engagement.

But—

You’re not the only game in town.

So your resume has to show you’re the perfect answer to the school’s needs.

That just takes a little tweaking.

In this guide:

• A substitute teacher resume example better than most.
• How to make a fitting substitute teacher resume job description.
• How to write a resume for substitute teachers that shows off key skills.
• Why you can’t just list substitute teacher skills (and what to do instead).

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Want to broaden your education horizons? See our guides:

• Academic Resume
• Resume for College Application
• Education Resume
• Teacher Resume
• English Teacher Resume
• Math Teacher Resume
• Mentor Resume
• Preschool Teacher Resume
• Graduate School Resume
• High School Teacher Resume
• Special Education Teacher Resume
• Elementary Teacher Resume
• Art Teacher Resume
• Librarian Resume
• Teaching Assistant Resume
• Tutor Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples.

Substitute Teacher Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

Now here’s how to write a substitute teacher resume:

1. Use the Right Substitute Teacher Resume Format

Here’s the thing:

Your resume format can make you look professional—or sloppy.

Go with option A.

To do it—

Follow these resume format steps:

Substitute Teacher Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format.
• Choose a professional resume font like 10–12pt Calibri or Arial.
• Include white space and 1-inch margins.
• A good resume length for substitute teacher jobs is one page.
• Use these resume sections: Header, Objective, Work Experience, Education, Skills, and “other.”

Expert Hint: PDF resumes look great on all kinds of screens, and ATS software can read them. So — save your substitute teacher resume as a PDF file.

2. Write a Substitute Teacher Resume Objective or Summary

Too bad:

The principal will read your substitute teacher resume, but—

Not carefully.

That’s why you need to write a solid resume summary or resume objective. It’s a short intro paragraph you put at the top of your resume. 

If you have years of professional experience and relevant substitute teacher skills, go for a resume summary. If you’re new to the job market, try a resume objective.

Remember to use:

1. An adjective (licensed, hard-working)
2. The words “substitute teacher”
3. Years of experience (1+, 7+)
4. How and whom you’ll help (create a smooth experience for students and teachers at Westwood High)
5. Your finest substitute teacher achievements (...97% teacher feedback scores...)

These substitute teacher resume examples show the equation:

Substitute Teacher Resume Summary—Example

Licensed substitute teacher with experience in K-12 and solid classroom management skills. Seeking to support teachers at the Vaughn School. Recognized for student engagement with 97% teacher feedback scores at Westwood High School. Facilitated 10+ bullying lessons to 200+ students, contributing to 25% jump in student morale.

Substitute teacher with experience and high-level skills in classroom management, student engagement, and grading papers. Have worked as substitute teacher for the past year. Created lesson plans, managed classrooms, and performed all teacher duties.

That second example flunks.

The details in the first one show competence.

Next—

What if your teaching experience is still learning its ABC’s?

In a substitute teacher resume with no experience, refer to internships or non-teaching jobs.

Substitute Teacher Resume Objective—Example

Licensed substitute teacher, skilled in classroom management and lesson-plan creation. Seeking to create a smooth experience for students and teachers at Westwood High School. At Day Lilly School, was recognized for excellence in classroom management with classes of 25+ students. Graded 250+ tests and papers with 99% accuracy.

Hard-working professional, seeking position as a substitute teacher. No experience teaching classes to date, but ready and willing to learn and start soon.

See the difference? The first substitute teacher objective clearly shows what the candidate has to offer.

Expert Hint: Write your substitute teacher assistant resume summary or objective last. That way you’ll have a full list of accomplishments made to order.

3. Write a Smart Substitute Teacher Resume Description and Skills

Do you fit the job?

If yes, can you prove it?

You’re probably thinking about this the wrong way.

The key is to look at the substitute teacher resume description. Or—

If there’s no job ad, talk to the teachers.

Then put on your thinking cap. Find proof in your past that you fit.

These substitute teacher resume examples give the assignment:

The job ad wants these substitute teacher skills: (1) classroom management (2) lesson plans (3) can work on short notice.

A good substitute teacher job description covers substitute-teaching experience and proves the candidate's ability to lead lessons successfully. See the example below:

Substitute Teacher Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Experience

Substitute Teacher 

Westwood High School, Gillette, WY

2018–2019

• Worked as both long-term and short-term substitute teacher for K–12 students. Maintained 97% positive teacher feedback.
• Used classroom management skills to resolve conflicts and keep the peace even in 2 classes of at-risk students.
• Developed 50+ daily lesson plans. Plans received high marks from teachers for clarity, engagement, and information conveyed.
• Accepted short-term substitute teacher shifts on short notice 67 days of the year. Scored 95% in student exit surveys.
• Facilitated classroom lessons on bullying that contributed to a 25% rise in student morale.

• Worked as substitute teacher for K–12 students.
• Resolved conflicts and kept the peace.
• Facilitated classroom lessons on bullying that contributed to a 25% rise in student morale.
• Worked closely with teachers, counselors, and parents to improve student behavior.

The key?

The first of those substitute teacher resume examples has the right details with descriptive numbers.

But what if you have no work experience?

Check this job description for entry-level resumes:

The job ad wants these substitute teacher skills: (1) classroom management (2) student engagement (3) grading.

Entry-Level Substitute Teacher Resume Job Description [Sample]

Teaching Internship

Day Lilly School, Wright, WY

2018

• Completed 15-week field internship. Recognized by mentors for high-level classroom management skills with 25+ students in class.
• Commended by mentors for student engagement. Succeeded in getting 5 difficult students to participate in class activities.
• Graded 250+ tests and papers with 99% accuracy.

Teaching Internship

Day Lilly School, Wright, WY

2018

• Completed teaching field internship. Recognized by mentors for efficiency and compassion.
• Developed parent workshops using PowerPoint that helped children improve test scores.
• Addressed and mitigated student behavioral issues.

That’s magic.

That first example uses your internship to prove skills.

But—

You can use retail or restaurant jobs to prove communication or interpersonal skills.

It’s all about picking the right resume keywords. Again, read the job posting for the right resume skills.

Then use a few skills to put on a resume. Check the list below for reference.

Substitute Teacher Skills for a Resume

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Classroom Management	Interpersonal Skills
MS Office	Communication
Mentoring	Flexibility
Teaching Strategies	Compassion
Managing ADHD	Patience
School Safety	Conflict resolution
Special Education	Adaptability
Creating Lesson Plans	Collaboration
Preventing Bullying	Creative Thinking
Grading	Problem Solving

Expert Tip: Don’t show too many skills in a resume for substitute teacher jobs. That looks like you’re just tossing in a laundry list. Stick to what the job ad says.

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4. Turn Basic Education to a Reason to Hire You

Attention class:

The education section of your resume can get you hired.

But you need to do it right.

In a substitute teacher resume, it needs to show accomplishment. 

Substitute Teacher Education—Example

Education

BA English, Wyoming State University

2014–2018

• Worked as peer tutor to 15 students, resulting in 20% test score rise.
• Created senior project to mentor 10 at-risk community children.
• Pursued a passion for education coursework.

See those bullets?

They show more than just attendance.

Expert Hint: If you just graduated from school, write a longer education section in your substitute teaching resume. A single class can list two bullet points with skills in each.

5. Add Extra Credit to Your Substitute Teacher Resume

Education. Experience. You’re done, right?

Not so fast.

A resume for substitute teacher jobs needs “extra” sections.

Here are 11. Pick one or two:

• Certifications (like a state teaching license or a NCJRS School Safety Certification)
• Memberships (like NEA)
• Conferences you’ve attended
• Volunteer work
• Tutoring
• Honors
• Awards
• Clubs
• Foreign language proficiency
• Publications
• Fitness

These substitute teacher resume examples are textbook:

Substitute Teacher Resume—Extra Sections

Certifications

• Provisional Wyoming Teaching License 
• First Aid & CPR, American Red Cross 
• NCJRS School Safety Certification

Volunteer Work 

• Mentor, K–12 students, Waterburr Public Schools.
• Assistant Scout Leader, BSA.
• Organizer, annual Coats for Kids drive.

Additional Activities

• CrossFit
• I’m all about that salt life

Whoops.

The second substitute teacher resume example sounds like Cameron Diaz from Bad Teacher.

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter and send it. Your resume for substitute teacher jobs will move to the head of the class. Show your passion and fit for this teacher job.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

For a substitute teacher resume that blows the curve out:

• Use the substitute teacher resume template up top. It shows off all your greatest moments.
• List substitute teacher achievements in your resume objective, job description, education, and “bonus” sections.
• Add the substitute teacher skills that you have.
• Include a Substitute teacher cover letter. Show your passion for the school.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for substitute teacher jobs? Not sure how to show substitute teacher on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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