Substitute Teacher Resume Examples & Tips for 2025

Entry-level substitute teacher resume example

Want a strong resume to kick-start your career as a substitute teacher? Not sure how to highlight your skills and experience effectively? Check out this entry-level substitute teacher resume example—it’s built to grab attention and show what you bring to the classroom.

Schools need adaptable, reliable educators who can manage classrooms, follow lesson plans, and keep students engaged. A great resume should highlight your teaching skills, strong interpersonal skills, classroom management, and ability to create a positive learning environment.

Junior substitute teacher resume example

Looking for a strong Junior Substitute Teacher resume that gets noticed but not sure how to showcase your classroom experience and teaching skills effectively? This example highlights a clear structure, measurable achievements, and the right skills to stand out.

Substitute teaching requires flexibility, classroom management, and the ability to keep students engaged. Schools look for candidates who can seamlessly take over lessons, maintain order, support staff collaboration, and ensure learning continues without disruption.

Experienced substitute teacher resume example

Struggling to create an Experienced Substitute Teacher resume that gets noticed? Wondering how to highlight classroom management, adaptability, and student engagement effectively? This resume example highlights key achievements, measurable results, and the right mix of technical skills, including how to implement behavior management strategies and soft skills to grab an employer’s attention.

Schools want substitutes who can manage classrooms, follow lesson plans, and keep students engaged by promoting positive student behavior. A great candidate is flexible, organized, and able to create a positive learning environment.

A well-written substitute teacher resume can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview. Whether you’re looking for short-term assignments or long-term substitute teaching positions, your resume should highlight your ability to adapt, manage classrooms, and deliver engaging lessons.

Most schools and educational institutions use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to simplify the hiring process. ATS functions like a search engine for resumes—administrators and hiring managers enter specific keywords to find the most qualified candidates. If your resume lacks the right keywords or formatting, it may fail to reach a human decision-maker.

For example, if a school is looking for a substitute teacher, the hiring team might search for keywords like “classroom management,” “lesson planning,” and “student engagement.” If your resume includes these key terms, it has a better chance of being seen.

How ATS works:

• Job posting setup: Schools input job details, including the position, required certifications, and skills, into the ATS.
• Resume scanning: The ATS scans submitted resumes, extracting and storing relevant details.
• Searchable database: Hiring managers search for candidates using specific keywords or review ranked results.

Without the right optimization, your resume may never appear in the search results. That’s why formatting your resume for ATS compatibility is essential.

Need help writing an ATS-friendly resume? Jobscan’s Free Resume Builder can structure your resume effectively, optimize it with the right keywords, and highlight your strengths—helping you land more substitute teaching opportunities.

Key elements of a substitute teacher resume

To make your resume stand out, be sure to include the following essential sections:

• Contact information – Your name, phone number, email, location and any other relevant contact details.
• Professional summary – A concise statement showcasing your teaching experience, skills, and career goals.
• Skills section – Highlight key skills such as classroom management, lesson planning, and adaptability.
• Work experience – Detail your previous teaching experience, emphasizing responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Education & certifications – List relevant degrees and certifications, such as a teaching credential or substitute permit.
• Additional sections (Optional) – Include professional development, language skills, or volunteer work in education.

Write a strong professional summary

Your professional summary is the first thing hiring managers see, so it should be clear, compelling, and tailored to the job description. It should briefly highlight your teaching experience, key skills, and what makes you a great candidate.

Jobscan’s Resume Summary Generator helps you write a compelling professional summary by evaluating your relevant skills and experience. It offers ATS-friendly recommendations tailored to your specific role, ensuring your resume is concise, impactful, and optimized with the right keywords to attract recruiters.

Demonstrate key substitute teacher skills

A strong substitute teacher resume highlights both hard skills and soft skills to show that you can effectively manage classrooms, engage students, and adapt to different learning environments.

Integrating both hard and soft skills into your resume bullet points can effectively highlight your strengths and showcase your contributions as a substitute teacher. Rather than just listing daily responsibilities, strong bullet points should emphasize your impact, adaptability, and the value you bring to the classroom.

4. Write impactful resume bullet points for an substitute teacher

Looking to strengthen your resume bullet points? Jobscan’s Bullet Point Generator helps you write powerful, ATS-friendly statements that showcase your achievements. This tool allows you to create results-driven bullet points that effectively highlight your skills and make your resume stand out to potential employers.

Highlight your achievements as a substitute teacher

To make your resume stand out, focus on achievements rather than just listing job duties. Employers want to see the impact you’ve made in the classroom and how you’ve contributed to student learning. Use quantifiable results where possible and highlight specific successes.

Here are some examples of how you can highlight your achievements effectively:

• “Maintained engagement and learning continuity for over 200 students across multiple grade levels, consistently receiving positive feedback from administrators.”
• “Designed and implemented interactive lesson activities that improved student participation by 30% during long-term assignments.”
• “Recognized for exceptional classroom management skills, reducing disciplinary incidents by 25% through effective behavior strategies.”

Tailor your resume to the job description

Customizing your resume for each substitute teaching position increases your chances of passing ATS filters and catching the hiring manager’s attention. A generic resume may not highlight the specific qualifications schools are looking for, so it’s important to align your experience and skills with the specific job posting.

Here’s how to tailor your resume effectively:

• Review the job posting: Identify key skills, responsibilities, and important keywords mentioned in the job description, including the job title.
• Align your skills: Highlight relevant teaching skills, such as classroom management, managing students with special needs, lesson planning, and student engagement, especially in the skills and experience sections.
• Use keywords wisely: Incorporate industry-specific terms naturally to ensure your resume aligns with the job description.
• Refine your experience: Emphasize accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to manage classrooms, adapt to different learning environments, and support student success.
• Customize your summary: Adjust your professional summary to reflect the specific school or school district’s needs and expectations.
• Make it ATS-friendly: Avoid excessive formatting, images, or unconventional fonts to ensure your resume passes applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Also Read: The Top 5 ATS Resume Keywords of 2025

Include relevant education and certifications

Having the right educational background like a bachelor’s degree, and certifications is essential for securing substitute teaching positions. Schools and districts often have specific requirements, so be sure to highlight your credentials clearly on your resume.

Here’s how to effectively highlight your education and certifications as a substitute teacher:

• Clearly list your degree, major, and institution (e.g., Bachelor of Education, XYZ University).
• If you’re a recent graduate, include your graduation year, relevant coursework, or honors related to teaching.
• For experienced educators, keep it concise and emphasize higher education degrees.
• If transitioning from another career, highlight coursework or degrees that align with education and classroom management.
• List relevant teaching certifications, such as State Teaching License, Substitute Teaching Permit, or TESOL Certification.
• If you have expertise in special education, different teaching styles or classroom technology, include certifications like Special Education Endorsement or Google Certified Educator.
• For seasoned professionals, focus on widely recognized teaching credentials rather than listing all past training programs.

Top substitute teacher certifications

While requirements vary by state and district, the following certifications can boost your qualifications:

• State-Issued Substitute Teaching Permit
• Professional Educator License
• State Teaching Certificate
• Paraprofessional Certification
• CPR and First Aid Certification
• TESOL/ESL Certification

Include a cover letter with your substitute teacher resume

A well-written substitute teacher cover letter can strengthen your job application by showcasing your enthusiasm, qualifications, and ability to manage a classroom effectively. While your resume highlights your experience, the cover letter allows you to personalize your application and explain why you’re a great fit for the role.

What to include in your cover letter:

• Start by expressing your interest in the role and briefly mention your qualifications.
• Highlight relevant experience like classroom management skills, flexibility, and ability to engage students.
• Mention your connection to the school/district and why you want to work there specifically.
• Reiterate your enthusiasm and include a call to action, such as requesting an interview in your closing statement.

Attaching a compelling cover letter sets you apart from other candidates and increases your chances of getting an interview. Need a job-winning cover letter fast? Try Jobscan’s Cover Letter Generator now!

Make your substitute teacher resume stand out with Jobscan

A well-written substitute teacher resume can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing interviews. By highlighting your classroom management skills, adaptability, and relevant certifications, you can demonstrate your ability to create a positive learning environment for students. Tailoring your resume to each job description and optimizing it for ATS will further improve your chances of success.

Make your substitute teacher resume stand out to hiring managers and ATS with Jobscan’s free resume builder. This intuitive tool helps you create a polished, job-specific resume that highlights your teaching skills, classroom experience, and qualifications—ensuring a strong match with the job description and improving your chances of getting hired. Try it today!