11 Long-Term Substitute Teacher Resume Examples for 2025

Creating a good resume is important for securing a role as a long-term substitute teacher. This article provides proven resume examples and strategic advice. Learn how to highlight your teaching skills, classroom management, and reliability. Get tips on structuring your resume, what to include, and what to avoid. Use this guide to improve your chances of getting hired as a substitute teacher.

  Compiled and approved by Liz Bowen
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best long-term substitute teacher resumes.

  • Show Impact Using Numbers: The best resumes show impact using numbers. Metrics to use include improved student test scores by 20%, reduced classroom incidents by 15%, increased student engagement by 30%, and implemented 5 new lesson plans.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are classroom management, lesson planning, special education, Google Classroom, and student assessment. Only include skills you have.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Tailor your resume to the job you want. Look for phrases like taught diverse student groups or designed engaging activities and incorporate them. Show you fit the role.

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Position of education on your resume

When you are updating your resume as a long-term substitute teacher, think about your recent academic achievements. If you have completed higher education that relates to teaching or have attained new certifications, place your education section before your experience. This will show employers your dedication to professional development.

If you have been teaching for a while, your practical experience in different classrooms is very valuable. In this case, your experience section should come before education on your resume. Make sure to highlight any long-term teaching roles, as this suggests stability, a grasp on curriculum, and classroom management skills. These are crucial for a long-term substitute teacher.

Highlight classroom experience

Focus on any experience managing a classroom, even if it was during your training or other short-term roles. This is key for substituting successfully over the long term.

Include any specific subjects taught or grade levels you are adept at handling. This will show your versatility and preparedness for different teaching assignments.

Ideal resume length

For a long-term substitute teacher, a one-page resume is often enough. You should focus on your most relevant teaching experiences and skills. Make sure to include your certifications and any special training that highlights your expertise in education. A concise, one-page resume ensures that your key qualifications are quickly seen by hiring managers.

If you have over 10 years of experience or diverse educational roles that are important to show, a two-page resume is acceptable. But remember, the first page should contain the most pertinent information as it is likely what will be reviewed first. Think about the layout, choose a clear format, and leave out less significant roles or details to maintain readability.

Showcase adaptable skills

Emphasize your ability to adapt lesson plans and manage unexpected situations. These skills are crucial when stepping into a long-term substitute role without much notice.

Include any training or certifications that demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development in education. This can set you apart from other candidates.

Beat the resume scanner

When you apply for a long-term substitute teaching job, your resume might first be read by a computer system called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). To help make sure your resume gets seen by a hiring manager, follow these tips:

  • Use common keywords from the teaching field, like 'lesson planning' and 'classroom management.' These are terms the ATS looks for.
  • Include specific skills you have that are asked for in the job post. For example, if they want someone good at 'special education,' mention your experience with that.

Match your skills to the job

As a long-term substitute teacher, you need to show that your skills fit the job's needs. Think about what is key in teaching: understanding students, planning lessons, and managing classrooms. Then, show how you've done these things in your past work.

  • List specific teaching methods you've used, like 'interactive reading sessions' or 'group science projects'.
  • Share your lesson planning skills by mentioning units or themes you've developed such as 'civil rights movement series'.
  • Prove your classroom management by talking about how you handle conflict or maintain order, maybe you've implemented 'positive behavior rewards'.

Highlight your teaching toolkit

When you're aiming for a long-term substitute teacher role, it's key to showcase the specific skills that make you a good fit. You'll want to list these skills clearly on your resume.

  • Classroom management
  • Lesson planning
  • Educational technology
  • Curriculum development
  • Student assessment
  • Special education
  • Subject expertise
  • Behavioral strategies
  • Instructional design
  • Conflict resolution

Include skills that match the subject or grade level you want to teach. If you're skilled in mathematics, make sure to list that. Or, if you have experience with literacy instruction for early education, highlight this expertise. Remember to place these skills in a dedicated section for clarity and to help with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which may scan for these terms.

Consider the unique aspects of being a long-term sub, such as the ability to adapt to different classrooms and maintain continuity for students. If you've created long-term project plans or have experience with integrated learning systems, those skills are valuable to mention. Tailor your skills to the job you're seeking, and don't worry if you don't have them all. Focus on the strengths you bring to the table.

Highlight leadership and growth

When you apply for jobs, it helps to show where you have taken charge or moved up in your work. Here are some ways you can do that on your resume:

  • Include titles like 'senior' or 'head' if you have had these roles in schools or other jobs. For example, 'senior substitute teacher' or 'head of after-school program' show you were trusted with more responsibility.
  • List any times you have led a project or a team. This could be something like 'Led a team of teachers to develop a new curriculum' or 'Organized and directed a school fundraiser.'

Think about the times you have helped others or made things better at work. These are good signs of leadership. You might not have had a formal title, but if you have done things like mentor new teachers or lead a committee, these are worth mentioning. Use simple words to explain how you made a difference.

Highlighting leadership growth

When you're looking to stand out as a substitute teacher, showing your growth into leadership roles can make a big difference. You may wonder how to do this, especially if you haven't held a formal leadership title. Think about times you took charge or went beyond your regular duties.

  • Lead a school project or initiative, showing your ability to manage and guide others.
  • Received an award or recognition for your teaching or leadership skills.

These points can show your potential to take on more responsibility. Even if you haven't had a promotion in the traditional sense, these examples can still demonstrate leadership.

Quantify teaching effectiveness

As a substitute teacher, showing your impact in numbers can greatly improve your resume. You may not have kept track of metrics before, but here's how you can start.

  • Think about class sizes you managed. If you taught a class with 30 students, it shows your ability to handle a significant group.
  • Did test scores improve during your time? If students' scores rose by an average of 10%, it's worth noting.
  • Consider attendance rates. If you maintained an attendance rate of over 95%, it demonstrates your skill in keeping students engaged.
  • Reflect on any instances where you reduced behavioral problems. If you implemented strategies that decreased disruptions by 50%, highlight this achievement.
  • Have you increased student participation? If you introduced interactive activities that resulted in a 40% increase in classroom engagement, include this.
  • Think about the number of lesson plans you've created or adapted. Providing a number, such as 20 unique lesson plans, shows your creativity and preparation skills.
  • Did you contribute to any school-wide initiatives? Perhaps you helped reduce overall absenteeism by 5% through a program you initiated.
  • Estimate the time you saved for permanent staff. For example, if you managed grading, freeing up 10 hours per week for the regular teacher, that's a significant contribution.

By including these kinds of metrics, you give a clear, quantifiable picture of your professional impact. Even if you're unsure about exact numbers, a good estimate based on your experiences can still provide valuable insight into your capabilities.

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