While the resume format you select is based on your experience level, rest assured that all formats will include the following sections on a substitute teaching resume:
Resume header
The header is always at the top of your resume, regardless of format. This is the first thing the hiring manager sees. It should contain your full name and basic contact information including phone number and email address. You can also add links to any of your job networking profiles like LinkedIn.
Resume summary or objective
The resume summary or resume objective is in this section. A resume summary is a short, concise overview of your career background and what you can offer the school. This should be no longer than three sentences. Think of it as a tagline supporting your header, providing an overview while highlighting any specialties. A resume objective is a brief statement that communicates your career goals. If you have less experience as a substitute teacher, then this may be the better option.
Resume summary example:
Dedicated substitute teacher with 7+ years of experience, passionate about nurturing students’ interest in science while encouraging students to pursue STEM careers. Recognized as “Substitute Teacher of the Year” in 2022 by the Nassau School District, for providing immediate instruction to 14 different classrooms with positive student progress through curriculum and classroom management.
Resume objective example:
Passionate decade-long career as a copywriter/editor, with a recently obtained teaching degree, seeking a versatile substitute teacher position to effectively teach high school students in the areas of English, grammar, language arts and literature. Looking to contribute my presentation, creativity and adaptability skills while providing teacher substitution to the English department of Hyde Park High School while gaining hands-on experience as part of an outstanding faculty.
Resume skills section
Being a substitute teacher is a challenging role requiring a broad skill set including both hard skills and soft skills. Use your resume skills section to highlight the key substitute teacher skills that you can use in this role. Hiring managers should see exactly why you will be an asset to the school.
Consider featuring these skills on your resume:
Substitute teacher hard skills
- Classroom management skills
- Smart board technology like Google Classroom and Blackboard
- Knowledge of relevant learning theory
- Specialist knowledge like special education needs
- Specific subject areas like social studies, math, language or sciences
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Language skills such as English, Spanish, French, German or others
- First aid/CPR
Substitute teacher soft skills
Highlight the skills that will show you have the background knowledge and personality traits to take over the classroom. Schools need to trust that they can take over without compromising teaching quality.
Resume work experience section
Remember the key of a resume is to stand out from the competition so rather than list mundane tasks in your work experience section, expand on your best work history. For each position you’ve held, including the school name, dates of employment and your job title. Use active verbs and statistics to back up your claims. For example, “Improved student test scores by 10% within six weeks,” is more effective than “Taught lesson plans.” If you are an entry-level candidate with no previous substitute teaching experience, then list roles with duties that show transferable skills. This may include tutoring, mentoring, coaching or other relatable jobs. Remember, the emphasis is on showing that you have what it takes to excel in the substitute teaching job.
Example:
Substitute Teacher |Lake Mary Middle School | Chesapeake Shores, CA | 2015 – Present
- Teaches 12 classrooms in six different schools annually in Montfort School District.
- Helped improve California State Testing math scores of third-grade students to 99% passing rate.
- Successfully implements lesson plans to 15-student classrooms, each job lasting a minimum of two-week timeframe.
- Manages classroom behavior through a variety of creative instructional, quick-thinking substitute teaching strategies through group discussions, discovery projects and outdoor lesson activities.
Education
Education and training requirements vary from state to state for substitute teachers. In this section, you must show you have the credentials to teach students in a classroom setting. This may include highlighting a teaching license in addition to your bachelor’s degree. It is your responsibility to know what is required for your state. Many resume substitute teacher job descriptions will outline what their minimum requirements are for the position.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Education
St. Joseph’s College, Freedom, NJ | September 2018 – May 2022
Florida Teaching Certificate
Specializations: High school math and science
Pro tip:For more substitute teacher resume-writing tips from the experts at ResumeHelp, take a few moments to read our
How to Make a Resume article to get the best chance at landing a job interview.