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Substitute Teacher resume

A substitute teacher hands a room full of other people's students to a stranger for the day, so a building secretary and a returning teacher are both reading your resume for the same thing: will the room hold, and will it look the way it was left. That means your state substitute permit or teaching license and its expiration belong near the top, next to the absence-management app you accept jobs through, Frontline, SmartFind, or Red Rover, and the grade bands and subjects you are actually comfortable covering. A strong substitute teacher resume then puts each assignment in terms of what you kept steady: order held through a long-term placement, a cold lesson run without losing the period, and end-of-day notes that let the regular teacher pick right back up.

ATS ready
Maria-Delgado-Substitute-Teacher-Resume.pdfBuilt with Resimay →
Maria Delgado
Substitute Teacher | K-12 Classroom Coverage
[email protected] · (555) 863-7291 · Columbus, OH · linkedin.com/in/maria-delgado
Summary

Substitute teacher with 4 years covering K-12 classrooms across two school districts, averaging 15 to 20 assignments per month. Executes provided lesson plans across math, ELA, science, and special education settings while maintaining classroom routines and safety. Holds an active Ohio Substitute Teaching License and a current background check.

Experience
Substitute Teacher2023 - Present
Columbus City Schools
  • Cover an average of 18 assignments per month across grades K-12, accepting jobs through the Frontline Education Absence Management app, often with under one hour of notice
  • Execute teacher-prepared lesson plans in math, ELA, and science, adapting pacing for classes of 22 to 30 students while keeping daily routines intact
  • Apply each school's behavior management system, including ClassDojo and posted classroom rules, to maintain order and minimize disruptions during transitions
  • Document attendance in PowerSchool and leave detailed end-of-day notes for returning teachers on work completed and student behavior
Substitute Teacher (Long-Term Assignments)2022 - 2023
Westerville City Schools
  • Completed three long-term assignments of 4 to 8 weeks each, covering a 5th-grade classroom and two middle school ELA sections during teacher medical leave
  • Built and delivered original lesson plans aligned to Ohio Learning Standards when no plans were provided, including weekly assessments and grading
  • Managed Google Classroom for a 28-student section, posting assignments and returning graded work to keep students on pace with the curriculum
  • Supervised students during hallway transitions, lunch, and dismissal, following school safety and emergency procedures
Paraprofessional / Teacher's Aide2021 - 2022
Hilliard City Schools
  • Supported a lead teacher in a 2nd-grade classroom of 24 students, leading small-group reading instruction and one-on-one support
  • Assisted students with IEP accommodations under teacher direction, reinforcing individualized goals during independent work
  • Prepared classroom materials, managed learning stations, and operated the interactive whiteboard for daily lessons
Skills

Classroom Management · Lesson Plan Execution · Behavior Management · K-12 Instruction · Student Supervision · Google Classroom · PowerSchool · Frontline Absence Management · Attendance Reporting · Special Education Support · Adaptability · Conflict De-escalation

Education
Bachelor of Arts in History, The Ohio State University. Active Ohio Substitute Teaching License (Ohio State Board of Education). Current First Aid and CPR certification, American Red Cross.
Certifications
  • Ohio Substitute Teaching License - Ohio State Board of Education
  • First Aid and CPR - American Red Cross
  • BCI and FBI Background Check Clearance

A worked example for a fictional candidate. Copy the structure, not the details. Swap in your own real experience.

Keyword match

Keywords ATS systems scan for

Use the ones that are genuinely true for you, in your own words. Mirror the exact phrasing from the job posting where it matches.

classroom managementlesson plan executionK-12behavior managementstudent supervisionGoogle ClassroomPowerSchoolattendance reportingsubstitute teaching licensespecial education supportFrontline Absence Managementmultiple grade levels
What recruiters look for

How to make this resume stronger

Specific to substitute teacher roles, not generic advice.

  • State your permit and clearances up front

    Districts screen for eligibility first. Name your state substitute teaching license or certificate, the issuing body, and your background check status near the top. If your state has no statewide license and sets requirements by district, list your bachelor's degree or college credit hours instead, since that is what most districts check.

  • Quantify your coverage and grade range

    A substitute's value is range and reliability. Use real numbers: assignments per month, grade levels covered (K-5, 6-8, 9-12), class sizes, and any long-term assignments with their length. A line like 'covered 18 assignments per month across grades K-12' tells a coordinator more than 'experienced substitute.'

  • Name the systems districts actually use

    Absence management and classroom platforms are real ATS keywords. If you have used Frontline Absence Management, Red Rover, SmartFind Express, PowerSchool, Google Classroom, or ClassDojo, list them by name. They signal you can start without training and match the exact terms in district job postings.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Listing 'substitute teacher' with no grades, subjects, or assignment volume. Coordinators cannot tell if you covered three half-days or two years of full-time work. Always show range and frequency.
  • Claiming a teaching credential you do not hold. A substitute permit is not a full teaching license. Name exactly what you have and the issuing agency, and never imply standard certification you have not earned.
  • Leaving out long-term assignments. Multi-week coverage where you built lesson plans and graded work is your strongest evidence of real teaching ability. Break it out from day-to-day subbing.
  • Using vague filler like 'managed the classroom.' Show how: which behavior system, what routines, how you handled transitions or de-escalated conflict.

Substitute Teacher resume FAQ

Do I need a teaching license to be a substitute teacher?

Requirements vary by state and often by district. Many states issue a specific substitute teaching license or permit that requires a bachelor's degree or a set number of college credit hours, while others let individual districts set their own rules. On your resume, name the exact permit or certificate you hold and the issuing agency, or list your degree and credit hours if your area has no formal license.

What skills should a substitute teacher put on a resume?

Lead with classroom management, lesson plan execution, behavior management, and student supervision, since those are the core duties and common ATS keywords. Add the grade levels and subjects you cover, plus the systems you have used such as Frontline Absence Management, PowerSchool, Google Classroom, or ClassDojo. These match the terms district hiring software searches for.

How do I write a substitute teacher resume with limited experience?

Lead with your education and any substitute permit or clearance, then highlight related experience such as tutoring, coaching, paraprofessional or teacher's aide roles, camp counseling, or student teaching. Frame each with classroom-relevant verbs like instructed, supervised, and assessed, and quantify group sizes and grade levels so a coordinator can picture you managing a room.

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Last reviewed April 22, 2026.