When regular educators are unavailable, substitute instructors play an important role. They provide a disciplined learning environment. If you want to be a substitute teacher, the first thing you need is a resume. But how do you write a substitute teacher’s resume with enough details?
On your résumé, highlight your classroom management expertise, versatility across subjects, and excellent communication with students and staff. Consider using skills to illustrate your strengths. Emphasizing your abilities to create a positive learning environment and immediately establish relationships with pupils will greatly increase your appeal to potential employers. Here is the complete resume writing guide for you.
How to format your substitute teacher resume?
Regardless of the various resume formats accessible today, you must be cautious while selecting a layout. Formatting is important for several reasons:
- You must communicate your experience simply and effectively.
- Before they reach anyone’s desk, resumes are verified by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
- Educational institutions frequently use platforms like EDJOIN to look for candidates.
A good format will help you pass all of the steps successfully. If there aren’t any unique requirements, remember these resume writing best practices:
- Use the reverse-chronological resume structure. It is easy to read and highlights your most recent achievements.
- Impress recruiters with a captivating resume header. Include any LinkedIn profiles or personal websites that showcase your work.
- Keep it short. It is applicable even if you have substantial professional experience. Your resume should not exceed two pages.
- Unless otherwise noted, save your résumé in PDF format. It will keep the document’s design and style.
It’s worth noting that if you’re utilizing the EDJOIN platform to apply for different employment, you must upload your resume in PDF format.
Must-have sections on a substitute teacher resume
- A header that includes your work title and contact information.
- A resume summary or aim that highlights your key professional achievements.
- A lengthy experience section that highlights the range of your knowledge.
- A skills box to highlight your social and technical qualities.
- An education and certifications area that highlights your qualifications.
What do recruiters want to see on your resume?
- Are you comfortable stepping in and following a predetermined lesson plan?
- Do you have experience creating your instructional materials?
- How easily can you adapt them to someone else’s lesson plan?
- How well do you collaborate with other teachers?
- Do you have any experience working with children with special needs?
- Can you provide helpful criticism to both of your students?
- How well do you keep full-time teachers updated on their students’ progress?
How to Write Your Substitute Teacher Resume Experience?
As the name implies, this is the section of your resume where your accomplishments and history are organized shortly. It must show why you are the ideal candidate for the job. However, discussing them can be difficult, depending on how far your career has advanced. If the majority of your substitute teaching positions have been long-term commitments, you should document them as separate employment entries. However, if you are only covering a specific school district as a short-term substitute, you should combine the schools. The emphasis would be on your teaching effectiveness and overall impact on the students’ lives.
How do you take your job seriously on your resume?
You can’t place a figure on all your accomplishments. However, if you provide the appropriate background, you can show that your effort has a good impact on others. Consider how your behaviors affect your students and other staff members.
- Have you significantly impacted someone’s life?
- Have you motivated your students to follow their dreams?
- Have you adapted your lesson plans to accommodate a student with special needs?
- Have you dealt with classroom disruptions and troublemakers?
- Have you started a club or organized group activities to fill an academic hole at your school?
- How do other teachers evaluate your work? Are the full-time teachers you are substituting for satisfied with your work? Do they have any comments on your regular reports?
- Have you received any honors or recognitions while representing your employer?
- When you’re not teaching, how else can you aid your colleagues?
How do I write a substitute teacher resume with no experience
If you’re just starting but have no experience as a sub:
- Consider your previous professional experience. You can include internships, fieldwork, private tutoring, and so on.
- Evaluate the significance of each gig.
- Select the hybrid resume format as your layout.
- Highlight pertinent accomplishments.
- Share any applicable transferable abilities that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume?
To create an impression as a substitute teacher, you must possess remarkable skill sets. After all, you’re typically called in at the last minute to save the day. As a result, you must show a strong balance of your technical and social abilities. These are your ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ capabilities. Hard skills show your ability to operate vital classroom gear and technologies. On the other side, your soft skills show that you have the required talents to manage a classroom without incident.to reach the proper balance, you must first learn to describe each of your skills. All you need to do is:
- Consider a professional issue you’ve had to overcome.
- Explain how you resolved the issue at hand.
- Share the results of your work and how they improved the issue.
Include data and numbers whenever possible to back up your arguments. Tying statistics to social skills is more difficult. So, consider the impact you make on those around you.
Best hard skills for your substitute teacher resume
- Lesson planning
- Student safety
- Public speaking
- Conflict resolution
- Collaboration skills
- Communication and explanation skills
- CPR
- Google Suite
- MS Word Suite
- Classroom management
- Common core state standards
- Bullying Prevention
- Mentoring
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving
- Analytical skills
- Ability to provide clear and constructive feedback
- Task delegation and prioritization
- CMS platforms (WordPress, Blogger, Dropbox, Piktochart, Canva, Miro, Testmoz, Flipquiz, Prezi)
Best soft skills for your substitute teacher resume
- Creative
- Leadership skills
- Disciplined
- Mediation
- Accountable
- Responsible
- Engaging
- Flexible and adaptive
- Attention to details
- Compassionate
- Understanding
- Patient
- Resourceful
- Personable
- Improvisation
- Decision-making
- Perceptive
- Multitasking
- Active listening
- Ability to work under pressure
How to list your certifications and education on your resume?
To become a substitute teacher, you must, of course, have the necessary academic qualifications and certificates. These vary by state; some have harsher laws than others. As a result, you should use extreme caution when applying for hybrid or out-of-state roles. This is why, while filling out the education section:
- Ensure that you have all of the documentation specified in the job advertisement.
- Provide the name of your degree or expertise.
- State the name of the issuing institution.
- Include a date of course completion or expected achievement.
- Add a validity date if appropriate.
- Follow the same date formatting guidelines across each resume section.
Best certifications for your substitute teacher resume
- Substitute teacher Certificate
- Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
- Early Childhood Educator Certificate (ECE)
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
- Physical Education (P.E.)
- CPR and First-Aid Certification (AED)
- Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
How to write your substitute teacher resume summary or objective?
What is the distinction between a resume summary and an objective? For those with less teaching experience, it’s important to highlight their skills in their resume objectives. Highlight how your career objectives relate to the school’s mission.
Summaries are designed for experienced professionals to highlight their most significant professional achievements. Regardless of which one you write, make sure your passion for teaching comes through. Explain how your efforts can benefit both your prospective company and the pupils. If you are a recent college graduate who intends to continue in this field, describe your future professional goals.
Summary Example
I am a recent M.Ed. Higher Education/Higher Education Administration graduate looking for experience in class management and counseling as a long-term substitute teacher at Binford Middle School. Skilled in fostering an engaging classroom environment and bringing students together on significant social issues through group activities and volunteer opportunities. Dedicated to teaching young minds how to prepare for life beyond school. Certified Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) practitioner.
Additional sections for a substitute teacher resume
Extra parts on a resume are beneficial to folks with little or no experience. They are an effective approach to show the unique actions you take to progress as a professional.
- To stand out from other candidates, you can include the following sections:
- Membership in an association (such as the National Education Association)
- Teaching resources include books, textbooks, workbooks, and pertinent scholarly journals.
- Awards, prizes, and special recognition.
- Relevant passions and hobbies, such as painting or photography.
How to boast you have published a book on a resume?
Being a peer-reviewed and respected author is no minor accomplishment. Especially if your book highlights your professional knowledge.
- Simply include your book’s name, publisher, and publication date. You can also include a timeframe to show how long it took you to finish writing it.
- Provide a link to your or the publisher’s website so that potential employers can review your book.
- Include a brief overview of your book and how it pertains to your job application.
How to tailor your substitute teacher resume description?
As previously stated, read substitute teacher job description for resume fabrication. While offered employment may have the same title, it is important to study the duties and criteria part of each job advertisement. These will tell you:
- How do you change and adjust your resume before submitting it to the appropriate institution?
- What talents and personal characteristics are considered a plus for candidates?
- What experiences are valuable, even if you don’t have a diploma to prove it? For example, if the emphasis is on community building, discuss your volunteer experience.
- What your prospective employer wants to achieve in the long run
So, to align your resume with the job description:
- Read the duty and requirements section.
- Ensure that you have all of the required documentation to apply.
- Check for important terms that relate to tools and talents.
- Look at what ongoing projects the school is involved in.
Cover letter matching your substitute teacher’s resume
No CV is complete without an impressive cover letter! Some governments have decreased the minimal qualifications for substitute teachers. This means that sometimes, it all comes down to your personality and goals.
- What drives you to pursue a profession in education?
- What is your teaching style?
- What goals have you set for yourself?
- How do you ensure you achieve them?
Keep these questions in mind when you create your cover letter. If you have trouble putting your thoughts into words, here is a quick step-by-step guide you can use:
- Separate your cover letter into three sections.
- In the first paragraph, highlight your most significant career achievements. Don’t worry if they overlap with what you’ve already included in your resume summary.
- Explain your skill set and how you’ve used your talents. Give particular instances if you can.
- Thank you to the principal for considering your application. Mention when you are available to discuss your candidacy.
Substitute Teacher Resume Example
John Doe
Indiana Polis, IndianaJohn6767@yahoo.vom
Professional Summary
Dedicated and adaptable Substitute Teacher with over 9 years of experience in providing quality education across multiple grade levels and subjects. Skilled in maintaining classroom order, implementing lesson plans, and fostering a productive learning environment. Passionate about student engagement, curriculum adaptation, and classroom management to support diverse learning needs. Committed to ensuring a seamless transition for students in the absence of regular teachers.
Professional Experience
Substitute Teacher
Franklin College
2021– Present
- Conducted lessons across elementary, middle, and high school levels, following teacher-provided lesson plans while maintaining continuity in learning.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively using positive reinforcement and conflict resolution techniques, ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
- Adapted teaching methods to accommodate students with diverse learning styles, including those with special needs and ESL students.
- Assessed student understanding through interactive discussions, assignments, and informal evaluations.
- Maintained clear communication with permanent teachers, administrators, and parents regarding student progress and classroom developments.
- Developed engaging lesson plans and classroom activities in the absence of provided materials, ensuring a dynamic learning experience.
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Munchi Community School
2019-2021
- Led instruction in English, Mathematics, and Science for a semester-long assignment, ensuring curriculum continuity and student success.
- Collaborated with faculty to develop student learning objectives and modify curriculum based on assessment data.
- Provided personalized tutoring and one-on-one support for students needing extra assistance.
- Utilized technology and digital resources to enhance student engagement and comprehension.
Paraprofessional Educator
Indianapolis Public School
2017-2019
- Assisted classroom teachers in delivering instructional activities and small-group tutoring.
- Supported students with IEPs and behavioral challenges, ensuring their inclusion in class activities.
- Helped organize educational materials, assessments, and student progress reports.
Key Skills
- Classroom Management
- Lesson Implementation
- Adaptability
- Student Engagement
- Curriculum Adherence & Modification
- Technology Integration
- Strong Communication
- Behavioral Support
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
Indiana University Bloomington
2013-2017
[University Name], [City, State] | [Year of Graduation]Teaching Certification (If applicable)
[Certifying Body], [Year of Certification]Additional Training & Workshops (Optional, if applicable)
- Substitute teacher Certificate
- Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Key takeaways
- Select the résumé that best reflects your job history.
- If you have a teaching portfolio, include a link to it in your resume header.
- Make sure your passion for teaching is clear in the resume summary.
- Group your experience by geographical location if your gigs are short.
- Save the talent section for skills that you haven’t highlighted anywhere else on your resume.
- Add some flair to your resume by including your passions or books you’ve authored.
- Explain why you want to be a substitute teacher in your cover letter.