Can substitute teaching be a full-time job—short term or long term?

Do you have a knack for working with young people and enjoy inspiring them to learn and grow? If yes, it's time to consider the steps to become a substitute teacher.  

While substitute teaching is a flexible job where you can set your own schedule, some substitute teachers want a job with a structured schedule. They wonder—can substitute teaching be a full-time job?  

For the most part, it’s not. At most school districts across the country, substitute teaching hours are scheduled to be 6-7 hours a day—up to five days a week. It’s typically a part-time, hourly, or per diem role. Those don’t qualify as full-time substitute teacher status. 

At Kelly Education, we place tens of thousands of substitute teachers in millions of classroom assignments each year. Many of those substitute teachers enjoy picking up work almost daily. Some take long-term substitute teacher assignments. Others appreciate a lighter schedule, only working a few days a week. 

The flexibility of being able to choose when you work is one of the many perks of being a substitute teacher 

There is a high demand for substitute teachers.

Many states nationwide are experiencing teacher shortages, increasing the need for quality short-term and long-term substitute teachers. Additionally, schools need substitute teachers to ensure education continues for the days when teachers are out sick, on vacation, or have an emergency. These factors allow substitute teachers to work as much or as little as they desire. 

Short-term substitute jobs vs. long-term substitute teacher jobs.

Once you’re approved to substitute teach for a school district, in most instances, you’ll be able to work in any of that district’s schools—from elementary school through high school. You can pick short-term assignments at various schools.  

Short-term substitutes can work five days a week. These substitutes appreciate the flexibility of owning their schedule. They can accept or decline jobs on any given day and easily mark certain days as unavailable. 

You may need additional credentials to secure a long-term assignment in a single classroom. A long-term substitute teaching job is often a temporary, consistent position. Each state or school district sets the length of time that’s considered a short-term vs. long-term assignment.  

Some school districts also require long-term substitutes to have a higher level of education—where a short-term substitute might only need a high school diploma, a long-term substitute might require some college coursework or even a bachelor’s degree. Here are a few examples: 

• In Minnesota, assignments that last 20 consecutive days or longer are considered long-term assignments. 

• In Georgia, short term substitutes can work in one classroom no more than 10 consecutive days. 

• In Connecticut, long term substitute teachers need state authorization, a bachelor’s degree, and 12 credits in a content/subject area. 

Some schools also hire substitute teachers. These substitutes are familiar faces who consistently float from classroom to classroom depending on the greatest need. These typically do not meet a full-time threshold. 

As for substitute teacher duties and responsibilities, long term substitute teachers tend to be more involved than those short-term substitutes. Short-term substitute teachers aren’t generally responsible for developing lesson plans, designing curricula, communicating with parents, or grading papers. However, a long-term substitute teacher is often assigned these duties and responsibilities, which allows for better educational continuity for the students, parents, and teachers. 

Increase your chances of landing more work.

Since there is a high demand for quality substitute teachers, your chances of getting many assignments is already high. That said, you can also take some steps to ensure you’re maximizing your potential to secure jobs in your favorite schools. 

Use the absence management technology provided. 

Once you’re approved to substitute teach, you can easily receive notifications about and accept substitute teacher jobs using the technology—like Frontline, RedRover, or Smartfind.  You can also update your availability to work as many or as few days as you’d like. You’ll want to maximize your use of this technology to make sure you don’t miss out on substitute teaching jobs. 

Become a school’s favorite substitute teacher. 

People like to work with people they enjoy being around. Therefore, you can increase your chances of securing more substitute teacher jobs through how you show up. Take steps to become a substitute teacher favorite — you want one to be the one who comes to mind any time a teacher, school, or district needs a substitute.  

• Always be professional, from being on time to how you act and what you wear. 

• Build relationships with the other teachers and staff you interact with. 

• Adhere to the lesson plans the teacher leaves for you as much as possible. 

• Provide the teacher with a brief report of what you did while substituting for their class to keep them informed. 

• Show your appreciation to those who help you along the way. 

• Adhere to district and school policies and procedures. 

Consider substitute paraeducator and support staff roles.

To boost your work opportunities, consider applying for other roles as well. Districts need absence coverage for their teacher’s aides, paraeducators (also known as school paraprofessionals or parapros), and support staff roles.  

These roles may pay a bit less than substitute teaching jobs, though they still offer flexibility and can fill in any gaps you might have in your substitute teaching schedule. As to be expected, you may need additional training for these roles. 

Work with Kelly Education.

To start the application process, go to school district websites, substitute teacher and educator job boards, or seek out a staffing agency specializing in education placement to identify jobs and apply. You can also attend community hiring events or do a general internet search for education jobs in your area. 

At Kelly Education, we have many paraeducator jobs and substitute teacher jobs available in schools across the country. Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions and share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher with one of our school district partners.