11 Substitute Teacher Resume Examples for 2024

Creating resumes for substitute teachers demands attention to specific skills and experiences. In this article, we provide examples with clear strategies to help you format and highlight key aspects of your background effectively. Focus on classroom management, lesson planning, and adaptability. These tips will increase your chances of securing a job interview.

  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 substitute teacher resumes.

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes use numbers to show impact. Metrics seen often include student attendance rates (95%), classroom control (95%), lesson plan completion (100%), and standardized test scores (88%)

  • Include Skills From The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are classroom management, lesson planning, grading, student assessments, and teaching software. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight Flexibility And Adaptability: You need to show flexibility in this role. Use phrases like adapted lessons and managed diverse needs to show you can handle different situations.

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Education section placement

If you recently graduated or completed a major educational program, place your education section at the top of your resume. This immediately explains to employers why you may have been out of the workforce.

Otherwise, list your work experience first, especially if you have been in the workforce for some time or have relevant experience. Adjusting the education section's placement can make a strong first impression on school administrators.

Availability and flexibility

Show your availability and willingness to work on short notice. Schools often need substitutes unexpectedly, so flexibility is key.

List your hours of availability clearly and consider adding a brief note about your ability to adapt to different school schedules. This can make you a more attractive candidate.

Keep your resume concise

When applying as a substitute teacher, aim for a resume that is one page long. This length is enough to show your skills without overwhelming the reader. The main goal is to prioritize the most relevant experience and qualifications that match the job. Good use of space and clear headings help the hiring manager find the most important information quickly.

If you have extensive experience that goes beyond 10 years, a two-page resume can be considered. However, make sure that every detail you include adds value and relates to being a substitute teacher. Highlight your classroom management skills and adaptability, as these are crucial for this role. Always remember, shorter resumes reflect your ability to prioritize important information. Avoid small fonts and margins; readability is key.

Highlight teaching versatility

Make sure to show your ability to teach different subjects and grade levels. This versatility is often required and valued in substitute teaching roles.

Include specific examples of subjects and ages you have taught. Highlight any training or certifications you have that show readiness to handle various classroom environments.

Use keywords wisely

To ensure your resume passes through resume screeners and applicant tracking systems (ATS), use relevant keywords for the teaching field. This will help your resume get noticed by the system.

Include words like "classroom management," "lesson planning," and "student assessment." These are common terms that hiring managers look for when reviewing resumes for substitute positions. Make sure these keywords are clearly woven into your job descriptions and skills sections.

Make your resume fit

To get the job as a substitute teacher, your resume should show you are ready to step in and help a class when their regular teacher can't be there. You need a resume that shows you can quickly adapt and manage a classroom. Tailor your resume so it speaks directly to this role.

  • Highlight your experience with different teaching methods or education technology. Use phrases like Managed a classroom using Smart Board interactive displays.
  • Show your ability to adapt by mentioning different subjects or age groups you have taught. For example, Taught English and Math to learners from grades 6-8.
  • If you're new to this area, tie in past jobs that needed strong communication or coordination. For instance, Coordinated weekly team meetings and presentations at ABC Company.

Essential skills for substitute teaching

When crafting your resume as a substitute teacher, your skills section is key. You need to show schools that you're ready to step in at a moment's notice and maintain classroom order while delivering the curriculum. Let's focus on the hard skills that make you standout.

  • Classroom management - Demonstrate your ability to keep students focused and engaged.
  • Subject knowledge - Highlight your proficiency in specific subjects you're able to teach.
  • Lesson planning - Show that you can create effective lesson plans, even on short notice.
  • Educational technology - Be sure to include any experience with tools like Smart Boards or learning management systems.
  • Special education - If you have experience or certifications, it's important to list these.
  • Language skills - If you're bilingual or have proficiency in a language other than English, mention it.
  • State teaching certification - Schools need to know you meet the legal requirements to teach.
  • First aid/CPR - These are valuable skills in any educational setting.
  • Behavioral strategies - Prove that you can handle a variety of student behaviors.
  • Assessment skills - Ability to evaluate student work and provide feedback.

You don't need to have all these skills, but include those that match your experience and the roles you're aiming for. Place them in a dedicated 'Skills' section for clarity. This is especially important as many schools use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. By using keywords from the job description, you increase your chances of your resume being seen by a hiring manager.

Show leadership on your resume

When you're applying to be a substitute teacher, schools look for signs that you can lead a classroom. If you've had any leadership roles, it's key to show this on your resume.

  • Include times when you led a project or initiative at school. For example, 'Organized and led after-school tutoring program for struggling students, resulting in a 15% improvement in their test scores.'
  • Highlight any roles where you were in charge of a group. You might write, 'Managed a classroom of 25 students during a three-month maternity leave absence of the regular teacher.'

Even if you're not sure if you've had a leadership role, think about times you took charge. Did you plan a big event? Did you help train new staff? These experiences show you have leadership skills.

Quantify teaching impact

As a hiring manager, it's crucial to see the tangible impact you have made in previous roles. When crafting your resume, including specific numbers can help you stand out. Here's how you can quantify your contributions:

  • Highlight the number of classes or students you've managed by saying, for example, 'Supervised 30+ students daily' to show your classroom management skills.
  • Mention the percentage of lesson plans you've improved or created, such as 'Developed and executed 40% new lesson plans, enhancing student engagement.'

Even if you're unsure of exact figures, you can estimate impact by recalling your routine tasks and the scale of your work. Remember, any numbers you provide offer a concrete view of your experience:

  • Estimate how much you've increased student participation by reflecting on feedback and outcomes, such as 'Boosted student participation by 20% through interactive learning techniques.'
  • Consider any time you've stepped in for an absent teacher and how often, for instance, 'Filled in for absent colleagues, averaging 15 days per month, ensuring continuity of education.'

Using numbers not only provides clarity but also emphasizes the value you can bring to a school. They help you show, not just tell, your professional story.

Show leadership and growth

When you apply for jobs, it is good to show how you have grown in your roles. If you have been a substitute teacher and had chances to lead or move up, make sure this is clear on your resume. Here are ways you can show this:

  • Include titles like 'senior substitute teacher' or 'lead substitute' if you have had these roles. This shows you were trusted with more responsibility.
  • List any times you were asked to train new substitutes or organize teaching materials for others. This is evidence that you were seen as a leader.

Think about tasks you have done that required trust and authority. Even if you have not had a formal promotion, these experiences are still valuable. Here are examples:

  • Managed a classroom for an extended period during a teacher's absence, showing trust in your long-term commitment and ability to maintain continuity for students.
  • Implemented new teaching methods or classroom management strategies that improved student engagement or behavior, demonstrating innovation and leadership in your teaching approach.
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