Quick answer: A strong substitute teacher resume shows you can walk into any classroom, follow lesson plans, and keep students safe and on task. Include a short summary naming the grade levels and subjects you can cover, your substitute permit or teaching license, and any background check clearance. In your experience section, list the districts or schools you've worked in, the number of assignments or days, grade levels, and results such as completed lesson plans, positive teacher feedback, and repeat requests. Add skills like classroom management, adaptability, communication, and following IEP and 504 accommodations. Keep it to one page.
Substitute teachers have one of the bravest jobs in education. You walk into a room of 28 students who have been told "the teacher's out today," which they hear as "today is optional."
Schools need people who can handle that, follow the lesson plan, and leave the room in one piece. Your resume should prove you're that person, whether you've subbed for years or never stepped in front of a class.
This guide covers what to include on a substitute teacher resume, the best skills, how to write bullet points, and examples for first-time subs, experienced day-to-day subs, and long-term substitutes.
What Schools Look For in a Substitute Teacher
- The required credential for your state (substitute permit, certificate, or teaching license)
- A cleared background check and fingerprinting
- Classroom management and student safety
- Flexibility: different grades, subjects, and schools, often on short notice
- Reliability: accepting assignments and showing up early
- Following plans and leaving clear notes for the teacher
Requirements vary by state and district. Some require a bachelor's degree, others accept a set number of college credits or a high school diploma plus training, so check your local rules.
How to Format a Substitute Teacher Resume
- Format: reverse-chronological. Career changers can use a combination resume
- Length: one page
- Layout: clean, single column, standard headings
- Font: Calibri, Arial, or Garamond at 10–12 pt
- File: PDF unless the district asks for Word
What to Include on a Substitute Teacher Resume
1. Header
Name, phone, email, city and state. Districts often hire locally, so your location matters.
2. Summary or objective
Example (experienced): Reliable substitute teacher with 3 years of experience covering 350+ day-to-day and long-term assignments in K–8 classrooms across 12 schools. Known for strong classroom management, completed lesson plans, and frequent repeat requests from teachers.
Example (no experience): Former youth soccer coach and camp counselor with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a substitute teaching permit, seeking a K–8 substitute position with Riverside Unified School District.
See resume objective examples.
3. Credentials
Substitute permit or license (with state), background check clearance, and certifications like CPR and first aid.
4. Experience
Districts or schools, grade levels, subjects, and number of assignments, plus results.
5. Skills
Classroom management, communication, adaptability, and technology.
6. Education
Your degree, or college credits completed.
Substitute Teacher Skills for Your Resume
Classroom skills
- Classroom management and positive behavior strategies
- Following and delivering lesson plans
- Student supervision and safety
- Following IEP and 504 accommodations
- Differentiated instruction
- Small-group and one-on-one support
- Taking attendance and leaving detailed notes
- Emergency procedures and drills
Technology
- Google Classroom, Canvas, or Schoology
- Smartboards and projectors
- Substitute platforms like Frontline (Aesop), Swing Education, or Kelly Education
- Chromebooks and educational apps
Soft skills
- Adaptability
- Patience
- Clear communication
- Confidence
- Problem-solving
- Reliability
See soft skills for your resume.
How to Write Substitute Teacher Bullet Points
Use the formula: action verb + what you did + scope + result.
Weak: "Covered classes for absent teachers."
Strong: "Covered 180+ day-to-day assignments across K–8 classrooms in 9 schools, completing 100% of lesson plans and leaving detailed notes for each teacher."
Substitute teacher bullet point examples
- Covered 350+ assignments in K–8 classrooms across 12 schools in Riverside Unified School District
- Completed assigned lesson plans in 98% of assignments, leaving detailed end-of-day reports for teachers
- Requested by name by 15+ teachers for repeat assignments
- Managed classes of up to 32 students using clear expectations and positive reinforcement
- Served as a 10-week long-term substitute for 7th-grade English, planning lessons and grading 120+ students' work
- Supported students with IEPs and 504 plans by following accommodations and working with paraprofessionals
- Accepted same-day assignments on short notice, filling 40+ last-minute vacancies
- Supervised lunch, recess, and dismissal for 200+ students
See resume bullet points.
Substitute Teacher Resume Examples
Substitute teacher with no experience
HANNAH COLLINS
Riverside, CA | (951) 555-0124 | hannah.collins@email.comOBJECTIVE
Patient, energetic psychology graduate with 4 years of experience working with children as a camp counselor and youth soccer coach. Holds a California 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit and seeks a K–8 substitute role with Riverside USD.CREDENTIALS
California 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit | Background check and fingerprinting cleared | CPR and First AidEXPERIENCE
Camp Counselor, YMCA Summer Camp, Riverside, CA | Summers 2022 – 2025
- Supervised groups of 15 children ages 6–11 and led daily educational activities
- Managed behavior using clear rules and positive reinforcement
Youth Soccer Coach, AYSO Region 47 | 2021 – 2025
- Coached teams of 12 players ages 8–10, communicating weekly with parents
EDUCATION
BA in Psychology, UC Riverside, 2026SKILLS
Classroom management, patience, communication, Google Classroom, conversational Spanish
See how to write a resume with no experience.
Experienced day-to-day substitute teacher
MARCUS REED
Austin, TX | (512) 555-0159 | marcus.reed@email.comSUMMARY
Substitute teacher with 3 years of experience covering 350+ assignments in K–12 classrooms. Known for strong classroom management and requested by name by 15+ teachers.EXPERIENCE
Substitute Teacher, Austin Independent School District | 2023 – Present
- Cover 120+ assignments per year across elementary, middle, and high school classrooms
- Complete lesson plans in 98% of assignments and leave detailed notes for teachers
- Manage classes of up to 32 students, including special education inclusion classrooms
- Fill 40+ same-day vacancies on short notice
CREDENTIALS
Texas Substitute Certification (district) | CPR and First AidEDUCATION
BA in History, Texas State UniversitySKILLS
Classroom management, IEP/504 accommodations, Google Classroom, Frontline (Aesop), adaptability
Long-term substitute teacher
PRIYA SHAH
Columbus, OH | (614) 555-0186 | priya.shah@email.comSUMMARY
Licensed teacher with 2 years of long-term substitute experience in middle school math. Planned and taught full units, raising unit test averages by 11%.EXPERIENCE
Long-Term Substitute, 7th Grade Math, Columbus City Schools | Jan 2026 – Jun 2026
- Took over 5 classes (140 students) for a teacher on maternity leave
- Planned and taught 3 units aligned with Ohio Learning Standards
- Raised unit test averages from 68% to 79% using small-group reteaching
- Held parent conferences and updated grades weekly in PowerSchool
CREDENTIALS
Ohio Resident Educator License, Middle Childhood (Math, Science)EDUCATION
BS in Middle Childhood Education, Ohio State University
Planning to move into a full-time teaching role? See our teacher resume guide.
Free Substitute Teacher Resume Template
[FULL NAME]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email]SUMMARY
Substitute teacher with [X] years of experience covering [number] assignments in [grade levels] classrooms. [Key strength or result].CREDENTIALS
[Substitute permit/license, state] | [Background check cleared] | [CPR/First Aid]EXPERIENCE
Substitute Teacher, [District or Agency] | [Dates]
- [Assignments, schools, and grade levels]
- [Lesson plan completion or teacher feedback]
- [Classroom management or special populations]
- [Long-term assignment or repeat requests]
EDUCATION
[Degree or college credits], [School], [Year]SKILLS
[Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]
Tips to Stand Out as a Substitute Teacher
- Show range: list every grade level and subject you've covered, including special education and electives
- Count your assignments: numbers show reliability. Check your district platform for your history
- Mention repeat requests: teachers asking for you by name is the best reference there is
- Highlight transferable experience: coaching, tutoring, camp counseling, childcare, and youth ministry all count. See volunteer work on a resume
- Add a cover letter if the district allows it. See how to write a cover letter
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put on a substitute teacher resume?
A summary naming grade levels and subjects, your substitute permit or license and background check clearance, experience with number of assignments, schools, and results, classroom skills, and education.
How do I write a substitute teacher resume with no experience?
Highlight experience working with children (tutoring, coaching, camps, childcare), your education, your substitute permit, and soft skills like patience, communication, and adaptability.
What skills should a substitute teacher have?
Classroom management, adaptability, communication, following lesson plans, supervising students safely, following IEP and 504 accommodations, and basic classroom technology.
Do you need a degree to be a substitute teacher?
It depends on the state and district. Some require a bachelor's degree, others accept a certain number of college credits, and some only require a high school diploma plus training.
How do I describe substitute teaching on my resume?
List it as "Substitute Teacher" with the district or agency and dates, then describe the number of assignments, grade levels, subjects, and results like completed lesson plans and repeat requests.
Build Your Substitute Teacher Resume
Our Resume Builder helps you turn your assignments and classroom wins into a clean, one-page resume, so you can get hired before the bell rings.