Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume: Templates
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Check out our guide on crafting an effective substitute teacher job description for a resume and embark on your next professional journey in the field of education!
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Looking for an all-in-one guide for substitute teacher job applications? Take a look at this piece: Substitute Teacher Resume Example
Interested in other related professions? Make sure to check out these:
- 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
What Does a Substitute Teacher Do?
A substitute teacher takes over the classroom duties in the absence of the regular teacher, ensuring the continuity of education and maintaining a structured learning environment. A substitute teacher needs to be an expert in a given subject and able to adapt to different classroom settings.
How to Write a Job Description For a Substitute Teacher Resume
The number of substitute teachers at US schools remains lower than demand. That gives you an advantage compared to jobseekers for other professions on the market. Even though you might feel quite confident about landing your desired job, you still need to prepare a compelling job description for your substitute teaching resume. Make sure to follow those 8 pivotal steps:
1. Create a headline that shines brighter than the "Teacher of the Month" title.
Use headings such as Work Experience, Experience, Employent History, Work History to label your substitute teacher job description section. Do not forget to use a proper resume font — you can bold your heading or write it in ALL CAPS.
2. Position your job description strategically.
Put it right after your resume summary if you're a seasoned professional, or below the education on your resume if you’re only starting out your career, and you’re writing your first-job resume.
3. Structure your substitute teaching resume job description in a reverse chronological order.
Use a chronological resume format. Start with the most recent role and then move on to discuss your previous employments. Remember that chronological resumes are easiest to scan for the ATS. That’s what gives this format a significant advantage when compared to other resume layouts.
4. Make your entries as clear as explaining new concepts to students.
Include critical details—your job title, company name and location, and tenure.
5. Write up to 5 bullet points for each job.
Focus on your most important achievements, not just job duties. Remember that your current job deserves the most detail, limit the number of bullet points as you go back in time.
6. Match your substitute teacher list of duties to the job ad.
Do it just like a customized lesson plan. Don’t detail every classroom task you’ve handled; instead, tailor your resume to the job ad's outlined responsibilities.
7. Start each bullet point with dynamic action verbs.
Use resume action verbs such as organized, supervised, fostered, enhanced to make your bullet points more impactful (as impactful as the discussions that you have with your class).
8. List your key accomplishments.
Include a "Key Achievement" section that will grab recruiters' attention like an A+ project. Use the PAR formula to talk about your successes.
Read more: Work Experience on a Resume
5 Substitute Teacher Job Description Templates for a Resume
Armed with your crafting tools, let’s explore some top-notch templates for substitute teacher job descriptions.
Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume
Substitute Teacher
Maplewood Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois
June 2018–December 2023
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Implemented engaging lesson plans prepared by regular staff, ensuring continuity of instruction during teachers' absences.
- Managed classroom behavior for groups of up to 30 students.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to strategize on academic progress of individual students.
- Assisted in extracurricular activities (e.g. drama lessons) and school events to support a well-rounded educational experience.
Key Achievement:
- Received commendation for student engagement improvement by 20%.
Middle School Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume
Substitute Teacher
Sunflower Middle School, Austin, Texas
March 2016–June 2018
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Assumed the responsibility of teaching biology, effectively adapting to different lesson plans.
- Assisted in maintaining discipline and focus during transitional periods, lunch times, and on field trips.
- Collaborated with department heads and fellow educators to align instruction with curriculum standards.
- Facilitated adaptive learning activities for special education students.
Key Achievement:
- Successfully maintained a 95% student attendance rate during substitute periods.
Long-Term Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume
Substitute Teacher
Lakeside High Academy, San Francisco, California
August 2014–February 2016
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Delivered English lessons for high school students during a 1-year absence of their principal teacher.
- Supervised students during non-classroom hours, including between classes and during lunch and recess.
- Coordinated with regular teachers to ensure consistent curriculum delivery.
- Engaged students in extracurricular activities, such as trips to theaters and museums to increase their interest in arts.
Key Achievement:
- Enhanced average student English test scores by 15% during substitute periods.
Prep School Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume
Substitute Teacher
Meadowbrook Prep, Boston, Massachusetts
December 2011–July 2014
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Taught chemistry in the absence of the main teacher to prepare 40+ students for college.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Assessed student performance and communicated feedback to parents and regular teachers.
- Enforced rules for behavior and procedures to maintain order among students.
Key Achievement:
- Introduced an engaging reward system, improving class participation by 25%.
High-School Substitute Teacher Job Description for a Resume
Substitute Teacher
Brookside Junior High, Miami, Florida
July 2010–November 2015
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Assumed all duties of the regular history classroom teacher promptly and efficiently.
- Maintained high standards of educational excellence in classrooms for diverse populations of students.
- Collaborated with colleagues to integrate new classroom discipline strategies (e.g. Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, Restorative Justice Practices)
- Collaborated with department heads and fellow educators to align instruction with curriculum standards.
Key Achievement:
- Recognized for outstanding classroom management, reducing students’ absences by 15%.
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Job Description Samples for Similar Positions
Looking for more? Check out our collection of job description guides for related roles.
- Tutor Job Description for a Resume
- Teaching Assistant Job Description for a Resume
- Teacher Job Description for a Resume
- Camp Counselor Job Description for a Resume
Read more: How To Write a Job Description
What Else To Put on a Resume
Here is what to include in your resume to impress your future employer:
- Format.
Choose the perfect resume format. A chronological resume layout, which focuses on your accomplishments and professional journey, usually hits the mark.
- Resume Summary.
Craft a compelling professional profile for your resume. If you have 2+ years of professional experience, go for a resume summary. For fresh graduates or entry-level applicants, a resume objective is your top pick.
- Certificates.
Present your professional certifications on a resume separately for better visibility. This will help you stand out from other candidates!
- Skills.
Give prominence to your job skills (soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills). Put a special focus on your resume communications skills. Don’t list just any skills that come to your mind—make sure to refer to the job ad to pick relevant ones for your resume.
- Other.
Add more flavor to your resume with extra sections: resume language skills, achievements and awards, volunteer experience, and hobbies and interests. They are additional means of showing your advantage over other applicants, so do not miss out on that chance.
Thank you for reading our article on drafting a substitute teacher job description for a resume. If you have any further questions, please leave us a comment below!
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