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Substitute Teacher Resume Example

Written by JobScoutly Career Team

Free ATS-optimized substitute teacher resume example with professional summary, experience bullets, education, and skills. Use this as a starting point and build yours free with JobScoutly.

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Jordan Mitchell

Substitute Teacher

email@example.com · (555) 123-4567 · City, ST

Professional Summary

Reliable and adaptable substitute teacher with 3 years of experience across 12+ schools covering grades K-12 in a large urban district. Maintained a 98% teacher-satisfaction rating and logged 400+ days of substitute coverage. Seeking a full-time teaching position leveraging strong classroom management and instructional flexibility.

Experience

Long-Term Substitute Teacher — Grade 5

Jan 2025 – Jun 2025

Washington Elementary School · Chicago, IL

  • Served as long-term substitute for 5th-grade class of 28 students for 5 months, maintaining all lesson plan continuity and achieving 85% proficiency on district math benchmarks
  • Managed classroom behavior using PBIS framework, reducing office referrals by 50% compared to the previous semester
  • Administered and graded MAP assessments for 28 students, providing detailed progress reports to returning teacher and administration
  • Attended 6 IEP meetings and implemented accommodations for 4 students with learning disabilities throughout the long-term assignment

Day-to-Day Substitute Teacher — K-12

Aug 2022 – Dec 2024

Chicago Public Schools (District-Wide) · Chicago, IL

  • Completed 400+ days of substitute coverage across 12 schools, covering all subjects and grade levels K-12 with a 98% satisfaction rating from host teachers
  • Managed classrooms of up to 32 students, consistently following lesson plans and maintaining instructional continuity across 6+ subject areas
  • Requested by name at 5 schools for repeat assignments due to strong rapport with students and faculty

Education

B.A. Education Studies — University of Illinois at Chicago

2022

Skills

Classroom ManagementPBIS FrameworkLesson Plan ExecutionAdaptability Across Grade LevelsStudent EngagementGoogle ClassroomSeesawBehavioral De-EscalationIEP Accommodation SupportAttendance & Record KeepingMulti-Subject InstructionRapport Building

Why this resume works

  • Transforms what could seem like fragmented experience into a strength by quantifying total days covered, schools served, and satisfaction ratings
  • Highlights a long-term substitute assignment with specific academic outcomes, proving the candidate can handle sustained classroom responsibility
  • Demonstrates being requested by name at multiple schools, which serves as a powerful credibility signal for principals reviewing the resume
View all Teacher resume examples

Key Skills for a Substitute Teacher Resume

Include these skills on your substitute teacher resume — but only the ones you actually have. ATS systems scan for exact keyword matches from the job description.

Lesson Planning Differentiated Instruction Classroom Management Student Assessment IEP Compliance Google Classroom Canvas LMS SMART Board Data-Driven Instruction Parent Communication Curriculum Development State Standards Alignment Special Education Collaboration

Not sure which skills to include? JobScoutly's Job Match Analyzer compares your resume to any job description and tells you exactly which keywords are missing.

ATS Tips for Substitute Teacher Resumes

Over 90% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them. Follow these tips to make sure your substitute teacher resume gets through:

  1. Include teaching certifications and endorsements with state and subject area
  2. Name specific LMS platforms: Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Blackboard
  3. Quantify student outcomes: proficiency rates, growth percentiles, pass rates
  4. Mention standardized testing and data-driven instruction experience

Common Substitute Teacher Resume Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not including certification type, state, and subject endorsements
  • Writing 'taught math' without specifying grade level, student count, or outcomes
  • Omitting technology integration and LMS experience
  • Forgetting to mention collaboration with parents, admin, and special education

Substitute Teacher Resume FAQ

How long should a teacher resume be?
One page for teachers with fewer than 8 years of experience. Two pages are acceptable for veteran teachers with 10+ years, multiple certifications, published curriculum work, or leadership roles. Most principals and HR screeners in education spend 15-30 seconds on initial review, so a focused one-page resume with quantified student outcomes will outperform a two-page resume padded with generic duties.
What certifications should I include on a teacher resume?
List your state teaching license with the exact certificate type (e.g., 'Standard Professional Certificate — Secondary Mathematics, Grades 6-12, State of Georgia'), any endorsements (Gifted, ESL, Reading Specialist), and nationally recognized credentials like National Board Certification or a CDA. Include expiration dates and license numbers if your state requires them. Place certifications near the top of your resume since many districts use them as an initial screening filter.
How do I quantify accomplishments on a teacher resume?
Use four categories of metrics: student achievement (proficiency rates, growth percentiles, pass rates on state assessments), scale (number of students taught, class sections, grade levels), program impact (attendance improvements, behavioral incident reductions, participation increases), and professional contributions (teachers mentored, PD sessions led, grants received). Transform 'Taught reading' into 'Taught guided reading to 24 second-graders, with 92% meeting end-of-year Fountas & Pinnell benchmark levels.'
Should I include student teaching on my resume?
Yes, if you have fewer than 3 years of professional teaching experience. Format student teaching the same way you would format a paid position — include the school name, grade level, subject, duration, and 2-3 bullets with measurable outcomes. Once you have 3+ years of full-time teaching experience, student teaching can be removed to make room for more recent accomplishments.
What technology skills should I list on a teacher resume?
Name specific platforms rather than writing 'proficient in technology.' List your LMS (Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology), assessment tools (Kahoot, Quizizz, Edulastic, MAP), communication platforms (Remind, ClassDojo, Seesaw), and instructional software (Desmos, Nearpod, Pear Deck). If you have experience with assistive technology (AAC devices, screen readers, text-to-speech tools), include those as well — they are in high demand across districts.
How do I write a teacher resume if I am changing careers into teaching?
Lead with a professional summary that frames your transition: 'Career changer with 8 years of corporate training experience transitioning to secondary education, completing state certification in Business Education.' Highlight transferable skills like presentation, curriculum development, mentoring, and assessment. Include your alternative certification program, any classroom observation hours, and student teaching. Quantify your previous career accomplishments the same way you would teaching results — audience sizes, training completion rates, and program outcomes.
Do I need a cover letter with my teacher resume?
Yes. Teaching is a relationship-driven profession, and a cover letter lets you communicate your philosophy, passion, and fit with the specific school community. Address the letter to the principal by name, reference something specific about the school (mission statement, programs, demographics), and include one accomplishment with metrics. Keep it to one page. Many principals read teacher cover letters more carefully than those in other industries.
What is the best resume format for teachers?
Use a reverse-chronological format with clear section headings: Professional Summary, Certifications, Teaching Experience, Education, and Skills. This is the format preferred by school district ATS platforms and HR departments. Avoid functional or creative formats — they confuse applicant tracking systems and make it harder for principals to see your career trajectory. Use a single-column layout, standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), and save as PDF unless the application portal specifies .docx.

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