Substitute Teacher Resume Examples & Template for 2024

On the principal's desk, near his magnetic buckyballs toy and his copy of Take the Bully By the Horns, is a computer with a dozen substitute teacher resumes. And your resume is one of them. You've got training. Certifications. Education. You've even packed a lunch.

But you're not the only subtitute teacher in the area, and your phone isn't ringing? We're about to fix that. You came to the right place to write a great resume for a substitute teacher that will get them callin’.

This guide will show you:

• A substitute teacher resume sample better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a substitute teacher resume that will land you more interviews.
• Substitute teacher resume examples of how to present your skills and achievements.
• How to craft a substitute teacher job description for your resume to get any job you want.

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Use this resume template

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.

If you're targeting a specific job in the teaching industry, follow up with:

• Academic Advisor Resume
• Elementary/Primary Teacher Resume
• First Year Teacher Resume
• High School Teacher Resume
• New Teacher Resume
• Preschool Teacher Resume
• School Counselor Resume
• Teacher's Aide Resume
• Tutor Resume
• Resume Examples for All Careers

Substitute Teacher Resume Sample

1. Pick the Best Format for a Substitute Teacher Resume

Say hello to Joe, the principal. He's got a mug that says, "I turn coffee into education." He's also got a strong dislike for sloppiness. A poorly formatted substitute teacher resume will find its way to his recycle bin without the chance for make-up work.

Choose a respected format like the reverse-chronological layout. It respects Joe's time by showing your best qualities up front.

Use eye-friendly headings and clear, legible fonts. Make strategic use of white space to give the reader little rests. Finally, save your resume for substitute teaching in the PDF format. It keeps the layout from going remedial once it hits the principal's machine.

Pro Tip: PDFs are always best, but check the job description to make sure they're not forbidden. Some Applicant Tracking Systems choke on substitute teacher resumes saved as PDFs.

Want to see your other options for the best substitute teacher resume format? Check out our guide: "3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples]"

2. Write a Substitute Teacher Resume Summary or Resume Objective

"Wow. I'd better give this resume a careful read." How can you make the principal say that? You can do it with a well-written resume summary or resume objective.

Use a resume summary if you've got busloads of experience.

Use a resume objective if your experience rides the short bus.

Let these two substitute teaching resume samples show you how:

Substitute Teacher Resume Examples: Resume Summaries

In the first example, we have a summary that's headed for the trash:

What's wrong with that? It's like a bad school lunch: It looks impressive, but you're hungry again soon. To get those early morning calls, you'll need something more like this:

And boom. The principal just added you to his "call first" roster.

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Can't scrape up an experience list like that? You can still impress. Look at the following substitute teacher resume samples (with no experience).

Substitute Teacher Resume Examples: Resume Objectives

A substitute teacher with no experience can still make the grade. Write an objective statement for any first time substitute teacher resume.

Look at these substitute teaching resume examples:

That's the resume equivalent of a book report that doesn't even use the Cliffs Notes.

But spice it up with some details, and suddenly you're Noah Webster:

Remember Joe, our principal? He's convinced. The substitute teacher resume example above has proven that you've got the goods. And after all, what is a supply teacher who can't supply?

Pro Tip: Your substitute teacher resume objective or resume summary is the finishing touch. Write it last so you'll have plenty of material.

Want to really nail your resume? See the substitute teacher resume sample at the top of this guide. Also, read these articles: How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See AND +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips)

3. Show Experience on Your Resume for Substitute Teachers

You're a substitute. You're just starting out. That means the experience section on your substitute teacher resume doesn't matter.

Right?

Absolutely false. Even if you're not experienced, you still have to prove that you can do the job. Luckily, there's a way to do just that. List your most recent experience first. Then add achievements from past positions that show you have a teacher's heart. But exactly how do you list substitute teaching experience on a resume?

Look at these two samples from resumes for substitute teachers:

Substitute Teacher Resume Examples: Experience

The first of our two substitute teacher resume samples gets high marks.

It mixes substitute teaching responsibilities deftly with achievements.

See that? No teaching experience, but at the same time, plenty. That's the kind of substitute teacher resume you want to write. Now look at one that doesn't make it to the final bell:

It's like a classroom on a snow day. No class. But all it lacks is measurable details.

What Experience Is Better on a Resume? Substitute Teacher or Teacher Aide?

Are you subbing to transition to full-time teaching? Are you wondering whether putting subbing on a resume will get the job? Does subbing actually look bad on a resume?

The truth is, adding substitute teaching to a resume won't hurt your chance to get a teaching job. Full-time looks better, but subbing beats a resume gap or bartending. After all, the duties of a substitute teacher are basically the same as full time. So go ahead and tout your subbing chops.

How to Tailor Your Resume for Full-Time or Part Time Teaching Jobs

A word of caution: your substitute teacher resume will look a little different if you're hunting full-time work vs continued subbing. Namely, fine-tune each experience bullet point, education achievement, skill, and hobby to match the job description.

If you're looking for more subbing, choose details that show you're good in a pinch, dependable, and skilled at teaching. In short, prove you are a "save-the-day" type education pro. If transitioning to full-time teaching is your aim, pick details that prove your staying power too.

Here's How to Write a Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume

As a substitute teacher, you face a unique problem. Substituting isn't a "job" like other jobs. It's not 40 hours a week. It's not regular, with benefits. So how do you write a substitute teacher job description for a resume?

Add the school name, position, and years worked, like this:

Rocky Bottom High

Substitute Teacher

2015-2017

Then add achievements, skills and responsibilities in bullet points, like this:

Example

• Subbed for English, Biology, and Algebra classes. Graded 100% of all quizzes assigned by long-term teachers.
• Updated lesson plans to reflect changes in curriculum. Received frequent commendations from teachers for attention to detail.
• Filled in for soccer coach at regular practices. Increased student participation in drills by 20%.

You don't need to say the days per month or year you subbed. That is, unless you subbed so many days that it'll make the principal's eyes bug out.

In that case, add it as a bullet point to your substitute teacher resume job description, like this:

• Substituted a total of 50 days in a single year.

Pro Tip: You can build a lot of substitute teaching experience, very fast. Even a few weeks at different schools or a couple volunteer positions can give a resume a lot of heft.

Don't put the principal to sleep with boring language in your substitute teaching resume. Wake him up with action words. Check out our guide: "+80 Examples of Resume Action Words for Every Profession"

4. Is Your Education Section Flunking Out? It Might Be

What kind of education do you need to be a substitute? That depends. Either way, simply plunking down your education on your substitute teacher resume is a big mistake. Why? Because it's like buying a nice new MacBook pro, then just using it for Minecraft. It can do so much more.

First add your:

• School Name and Location.
• Years in School.
• Degree.

Then include details that fit the job description like a custom-tailored suit.

Look at these two substitute teacher resume examples:

Substitute Teacher Resume Examples: Education Section

In the following samples, note the difference between custom-fitting and generic education.

That's not an entry level substitute teaching job applicant. It's Booker T.

Washington with a set of whiteboard markers.

Now look at our next substitute teacher resume example. Can you spot what's missing?

Remember Joe, our principal? He just hit "delete."

What you want is details and achievements. Add some numbers, and you shall be crowned king.

Pro Tip: Anyone can tailor a substitute teacher resume to a job description. What did you excel at? What classes were you passionate about? Did you ever tutor other students or gain relevant experience?

Want more tips to get your substitute teacher resume's education section up into the A+ zone? See our guide: "How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]"

5. Put Skills on Your Substitute Teacher Resume

For a substitute teacher, skills are everything.

Are you competent at K-12 instruction? Teaching at-risk students? The all-important "classroom management?" All of the above? Which skills should go on resumes for substitute teachers? What order should you put them in?

First, read the substitute teacher job description. Then, showcase those skills in your resume.

Take a look at these two substitute teacher resume examples for more guidance:

Substitute Teacher Resume Skills Examples

Joe, our principal, lists these skills in the job description:

Classroom management, grading, technology, patience.

So, you'll put those in your substitute teacher resume's skills section. You'll add others Joe might like as well, so he won't think you're just apple-polishing:

Classroom management, patience, compassion, grading, special education, technology.

Then you'll do this front-of-the-class trick with your experience section:

Example

• Filled short-term substitute teacher vacancies, K-12. Frequently assigned to difficult classes based on exemplary classroom management skills.
• Worked as after-school tutor with four ESL students, thanks to fluency in Spanish. All four students tested in the top 95% for Common Core Standards.
• Became the school's "go-to" substitute for special education teachers.
• Received three thank-you cards from teachers for always grading student work.

Now you're not just saying that you have the skills. You're proving it. Do the same thing with your education section for the gold star.

Need some specific skills for your substitute teacher resume? Here they come:

Substitute Teacher Skills for Your Resume

Use the substitute teacher resume skills list below to build your resume. Then look online at a few substitute teaching job descriptions to get more.

Follow the advice above, and your substitute teacher resume will go from detention to the honors program, fast. Add "classroom management" high in the skills list of your substitute teacher resume. Classroom management is often listed as the single most important skill for a teacher to have.

Pro Tip: Sometimes there's no substitute teacher job description. If you're applying sight unseen, network. Meet key people in the school you'll be applying to, then learn what skills they value.

Want to give your substitute teacher resume skills section some extra credit? See this guide: "+30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)"

6. Show Teaching Certifications on Your Resume

Wait a second. Joe, the principal, just hit delete. He didn't even look at your great substitute teacher resume! In fact that's common. Most hiring managers spend seven seconds with each resume, according to our HR statistics report.

In your case though, you goofed how you displayed your substitute teacher resume certification. Joe didn't see it, so he assumed you weren't qualified.

Don't let Joe make that mistake.

Not every school requires certification. But when they do, you have to display it the right way on your substitute teacher resume. If you don't, you might as well be showing up for class in nothing but your underwear.

First, put your certification in your title. Then add it to your resume summary or resume objective. Last, show it in a special certifications section, below your education section.

Example

Certifications & Licensure

• Provisional Arkansas Teaching License
• Basic Life Support Certification, American Red Cross
• ALICE School Safety Training Certification

Is that overkill? Not at all. It lets Joe see you're qualified without a lot of hunting. That gives you more time to convince him you're the best sub for the job.

Pro Tip: The certification required on a substitute teaching resume isn't governed by state. Contact your school district for the specific qualifications you'll need.

Want more help with form-fitting a resume for a substitute teacher to the school? See our guide: "6 Tips on How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description (Examples)"

7. Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

You're in class. 18 of your 20 students are dressed in drab, grey shirts and pants. One is wearing a fuchsia jumpsuit, galoshes, and a balloon hat.

Don't be that student.

Be the one next to him, with the bright red cashmere sweater and the perfect posture. A couple of well-placed other sections on your substitute teacher resume can let you do just that.

See these substitute teacher resume examples:

Two Substitute Teacher Resume Examples: Other Sections

The first of our samples flunks the test:

So what's the problem with animals, night clubs, and engines?

Nothing!

But they don't prove you can do the job.

Now what about this next substitute teacher resume example?

Wow. Flying colors, right? That'll beat lots of other substitute teacher resumes.

Look for attractive activities you do already.

You can add resume sections for publications, volunteer work, hobbies, conferences, or professional associations. You can list continuing ed courses, or other perks that show your education passion.

Pro Tip: Consider joining the National Education Association. It looks great on a resume for substitute teaching because it shows you're serious. It can also pay off big in networking potential.

Want tips for what to put in other sections of your substitute teacher resume? See our guide: "+20 Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)"

8. Attach a Cover Letter

Everyone says nobody uses cover letters any more. That means you'll be doing your substitute teaching job while "everyone" is still asleep. Why? 83% of recruiters view cover letters as important, while 47% of professionals have not attached a cover letter when applying for their last or current job.

So, how to write your cover letter? First, call the principal by name. Then, mention a couple of the school's needs. You can get those from the substitute teacher job description, or from networking with key members of the faculty and staff.

Next, showcase some achievements that prove you are the education superhero coming in to save the day. You want to show you understand their needs, and you can help. But make it a lot shorter than your substitute teacher resume.

Before the final bell, wrap up with a call to action. That can be as simple as, "I'd love to talk more with you about how I can help."

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Pro Tip: After you send in your substitute teacher resume and cover letter, follow up. A well-placed email or phone call can be just the trick that gets you hired.

Want more tips to write the best substitute teaching cover letter you can? Need some cover letter examples? See our guide: "How To Write A Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples]"

And if you want to see a sample of a great cover letter, and write yours on its basis, read our guide: Librarian Cover Letter: Sample & Writing Guide [20+ Library Job Tips]

9. Add Contact Info to Your Resume

Adding contact info to resumes for substitute teachers is easy, right?

Wrong.

There are some definite pitfalls that can trap you in the no-call zone.

First include the basics:

• Full Name
• Updated Phone Number
• Professional Email Address

Like this:

Fred Patala, Substitute Teacher, fredpatala@gmail.com, 501-526-7715

But also, add your LinkedIn profile, Twitter handle, and other social media connections.

LinkedIn is an increasingly important job search tool. Make your profile shine with our guide to LinkedIn here.

Pro Tip: One bad moment on Facebook can sink a dozen great substitute teacher resumes. Avoid that pitfall with this guide to cleaning up your online presence.

Need more advice to make the best professional substitute teacher resume in the pack? See this guide: "How to Make a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide (+30 Examples)"

Key Takeaway

Now you know exactly how to write a substitute teacher resume that puts you top-of-mind. Don't forget:

• Work your substitute teacher duties and responsibilities into your experience section in a way that fits the job description.
• On resumes for substitute teachers, put certifications and licenses in three places: by your name, in your resume summary (or resume objective), and in a special certifications section.
• Prove your substitute teacher skills in the experience section of your short term or long term substitute teacher resume.
• Tailor every resume you send to match the job description from the ad.

Got questions or tips about how to make a professional resume for substitute teaching? Give us a shout in the comments section!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/are-cover-letters-important-83-of-recruiters-say-yes
• https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017_Job_Seeker_Nation_Survey.pdf