20 Substitute Teacher Resume Examples, Templates

You know how much patience it takes to educate young minds, and how difficult it can be to earn students’ respect when you only have a limited amount of time with them.

Even so, some principals may view substitute teachers skeptically, especially if your background includes many short-term assignments.

With so many people entering substitute teaching during the pandemic, principals do not always see subs as being as committed as full-time teachers.

How do you show that you are more than capable of stepping up? With a well-crafted resume. This guide will:

• Show you a substitute teacher resume example to spark your writing
• Teach you how to craft a resume, even with little to no experience
• Help you organize your work history in a streamlined, clutter-free way
• Coach you on how to highlight the impact your teaching skills have on students

We’ve also prepared plenty of examples of complete resumes and individual resume sections to support you through the writing process.

Before you dive in, if you’d like to explore other relevant resume guides, be sure to bookmark the following ones:

How to format your substitute teacher resume

Despite the many resume formats available today, you need to choose your layout carefully.

Formatting matters for several reasons:

• Your experience should be presented clearly and concisely.
• Before a resume reaches a hiring manager, it is often screened by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
• Educational institutions frequently use platforms such as EDJOIN to find candidates, so check whether there are any extra formatting rules before choosing a format.

If there are no special requirements, follow these resume formatting best practices:

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format. It is easy to read and highlights your most recent achievements.
• Create a strong resume header. If you have a LinkedIn profile or personal website that showcases your work, include it.
• Keep your resume short. Even with extensive work history, do not exceed two pages.
• Unless instructed otherwise, save your resume as a PDF to preserve the document’s design and formatting.

Your resume should also match the target market. For example, Canadian applications may require a different layout.

Keeping your resume to one page can be tricky, especially when you have a lot to include. That’s why it’s important to leave enough space for each of the must-have resume sections.

How to write your substitute teacher resume experience

This section of your resume should show, through your achievements and work history, why you’re the right person for the job.

That can be difficult to write, especially depending on how your substitute teaching career has developed.

If most of your substitute teaching roles have been long-term commitments, list them as separate job entries and describe each one clearly.

If you mainly worked as a short-term substitute within one school district, it’s usually better to group those schools together.

In that case, focus on your teaching efficiency and your overall impact on students’ lives.

Compare the following substitute teacher resume examples:

Although the samples describe the same person, the difference in presentation is important. The second experience section works because:

• Helen’s job title shows that her employment was a long-term commitment, which suggests she is both capable at her job and able to work well with other teachers.
• She uses the company description to explain the school’s mission and academic focus, drawing attention to what motivated her to work as a substitute at that particular school.
• Including the institution’s website gives hiring principals a chance to see how the candidate’s previous employer presents its work.
• Each bullet point highlights a professional accomplishment and includes enough context to show why it matters.

How to demonstrate you take your job seriously on your resume

You may not be able to quantify every achievement, but you can still show that your work has a positive impact if you provide the right context.

A strong substitute teacher resume should make it clear that you do more than simply fill in when needed.

Think about how your work affects students and staff members:

• Have you significantly changed someone’s life?
• Have you inspired students to pursue their dreams?
• Have you adapted your teaching plans to accommodate a student with special needs?
• Have you successfully handled class disruptions and troublemakers?
• Have you started a club or organized group activities that filled an academic gap at your school?
• How do other teachers view your work? Are the full-time teachers you substitute for happy with your performance? Have they commented on your regular reports?
• Have you earned any awards or recognition while representing your employer?
• How else do you support your colleagues outside the classroom?

How do I write a substitute teacher resume with no experience

If you’re just starting out and have no experience as a substitute teacher:

• Review your work history so far, including internships, field work, private tutoring, and similar roles.
• Assess how relevant each experience is.
• Choose the hybrid resume format.
• Highlight your most relevant accomplishments.
• Include transferable skills that match the position you’re applying for.

How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume

To stand out as a substitute teacher, you need an exceptional skill set. After all, you’re often called in at the last minute.

That means showing a strong mix of technical and social abilities, also known as hard and soft skills.

Hard skills show that you can use essential classroom tools and technology.

Soft skills show that you can manage a classroom effectively.

To strike the right balance, describe your abilities with clear examples:

• Think of a professional challenge you had to overcome.
• Explain how you solved it.
• Describe the outcome and how your work improved the situation.
• Add data or numbers where possible. Since soft skills are harder to quantify, focus on the impact you have on the people around you.

Can’t think of any relevant skills to include? We’ve compiled two lists of top technical and social skills to help you get started.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

You need the proper academic qualifications and credentials to work as a substitute teacher.

Requirements vary by state, and some states have stricter rules than others. Be especially careful when applying for hybrid or out-of-state positions.

When filling out the education section:

• Make sure you have all documents required in the job ad.
• List the name of your degree or specialization.
• Include the name of the issuing institution.
• Add the course completion date or projected completion date.
• Include a validity date, if applicable.

Use the same date format throughout every resume section.

Here is a sample of what your final education and certifications section should look like:

If you are unsure whether to include a specific certificate, review the table below featuring some of the most sought-after credentials in the education industry.

How to write your substitute teacher resume summary or objective

What’s the difference between a resume summary and an objective? Simply put:

• Resume objectives focus on your skills when you do not have much teaching experience. Show how your career goals align with the school’s mission.
• Summaries are better for experienced professionals who want to highlight their top career milestones.

Whichever option you choose, let your passion for teaching come through. Explain how your work would benefit both the school and its students.

If you’re a recent college graduate and plan to stay on this career path, describe how you see your professional growth progressing.

Take a look at the following examples:

Both samples were written by college graduates, but the second is clearly stronger for several reasons:

• The candidate opens with their qualifications and clearly explains what they are seeking as a job applicant.
• Rather than relying only on credentials, the applicant highlights specific skills.
• The personal statement explains their motivation for pursuing a career in education, showing that this is more than just a temporary job.
• A valuable certificate is included at the end to reinforce the additional expertise the candidate offers.

Additional sections for a substitute teacher resume

Extra resume sections can be especially helpful if you have little to no experience. They let you show the additional steps you take to grow as a professional.

To stand out from other candidates, consider adding sections such as:

• Association memberships, such as the National Education Association
• Teaching materials, books, textbooks, workbooks, and relevant academic publications
• Awards, prizes, and special recognitions
• Relevant passions and hobbies, such as photography or painting

How to mention a published book on a resume

Being a peer-reviewed and recognized author is a meaningful achievement, especially if your book highlights your professional expertise.

• Include the book title, publisher, and publication date. You can also mention the timeframe it took to write it.
• Link to your website or the publisher’s website so prospective employers can review the book.
• Add a brief description of what the book covers and how it relates to your job application.

How to tailor your substitute teacher resume to the job description

As mentioned earlier, read each job description carefully. Even when openings share the same title, the duties and requirements can vary from one school to another.

Reviewing these sections can help you understand:

• How to adjust your resume before submitting it to a specific school
• Which skills and personal qualities are considered a plus
• What kinds of experience are valued, even if you do not have a diploma to show for it. For example, if the school emphasizes community building, include relevant volunteering experience.
• What the employer is trying to achieve in the long run

To align your resume with the job description:

• Read the duties and requirements section closely
• Make sure you have all the necessary documents to apply
• Look for important keywords related to tools and talents
• Research any ongoing projects the school is involved in

Cover letter matching your substitute teacher resume

No resume is complete without a strong cover letter.

In some states, the minimum requirements for substitute teachers have been relaxed. That means your personality, motivation, and aspirations can play an even bigger role in your application.

As you write, think about what motivates you to work in education, how you would describe your teaching style, and what goals you have set for yourself and how you plan to achieve them.

Keep these questions in mind when building your cover letter.

If you are having trouble putting your thoughts into words, use this short step-by-step guide:

• Divide your cover letter into three sections.
• Highlight your top career achievements in the first paragraph, even if they overlap with your resume summary.
• Elaborate on your skill set and explain how you have applied your talents, using specific examples when possible.
• Thank the principal for reviewing your application and mention when you are available to discuss your candidacy.

Check out the example substitute teacher cover letter below for more inspiration.