The complete guide to becoming a substitute teacher.

Substitute teaching is a rewarding part-time job for many. For others, they’re inspired to make it a career. Aside from the flexible schedule, being a substitute teacher allows you to give back to the community and guide students to learn and grow academically. You also have an important role in ensuring the continuity of education when teachers are absent for a day or extended period. 

If you’re intrigued by the idea of becoming a substitute teacher, you might also feel a bit overwhelmed about how to get started and whether you have what it takes to work with students. If this describes you, take a deep breath and take some time to educate yourself to make an informed decision. 

This comprehensive substitute teacher guide covers some of the key pieces of information you need to know about how to apply to become a substitute teacher. Each section has links where you can get more detailed information about:

• The benefits of becoming a substitute teacher

• Why substitute teaching is the ideal path to a teaching career 

• Substitute teacher duties and responsibilities

• Substitute teacher job descriptions

• Substitute teacher salary expectations 

• Requirements to become a substitute teacher in your state

• What to expect when you first start out 

• Substitute teacher dress code 

• Substitute teaching and transferable skills 

Benefits of becoming a substitute teacher.

There are several reasons people choose to become substitute teachers. Here are a few of them to consider: 

• Ease of entry. You might be surprised to learn that you rarely need a teaching degree to become a substitute teacher. In many states, you don’t need any college experience – only a high school diploma or equivalent. It’s also true that most school districts do not require you to have any prior teaching experience. 

• Flexible schedule. As a substitute teacher, you can choose the days you want to work. On the days you do work, your day typically ends before the normal business day does, giving you time to run errands before heading home for dinner. 

• Extra money. As a substitute teacher, you benefit from a steady paycheck and regular opportunities. Even if you only choose to work a few days a month, having extra cash on hand can be helpful to increase your savings, pay bills, travel, and more. You can also choose to schedule for as many days as possible for full-time pay. 

• Positive impact. Substitute teaching is a great choice for those driven to make a difference in their communities. Not only do you get to make a difference in the lives of your students, but you also get to have fun doing it through the diversity of assignments, connecting with different students, and coming up with fun ways to work with students when needed. 

• Community and connection. Community is important. One of the things many love about substitute teaching is that they have fun and enjoy connecting with other coworkers. Many even make lifelong friends and colleagues. 

Substitute teaching is the ideal path to a teaching career.

It’s common for those who substitute teach to enjoy it so much that they choose to pursue a teaching degree and a full-time teaching job. Substitute teaching is an excellent way for prospective teachers to gain experience and boost their resumes when they’re ready to land a job out of college. Here are a few more reasons why substitute teaching is perfect for those pursuing a teaching career: 

• You can narrow down your options. You have a lot to consider when it comes to being a teacher, from your area of focus and the grade level you want to teach to the type of school you want to teach in and more. Substitute teaching allows you to narrow down your options through hands-on experience. 

• It opens up opportunities. It’s often easier to land a future teaching job when you build professional connections and already know some of the key players in the school system. As such, substitute teaching gets your foot in the door at the various schools where you substitute teach. 

• You’ll gain valuable teaching skills. When you substitute teach, you are literally applying and enhancing the skills you’ll need as a teacher, so you’ll be better prepared when you’re in the classroom as a teacher vs. substitute teacher. 

• It provides flexibility for your studies and other priorities. Substitute teaching is an excellent part-time job for those pursuing a teaching degree or certification since you get to choose when you work and typically work shorter days than a standard business day. You’ll be able to earn some income while still being able to meet the obligations of your studies and life. 

Substitute teacher duties and responsibilities.

It goes without saying that substitute teaching means filling in for teachers when they’re absent, and in turn, you’ll be working with students. But what does that really mean? Some of the key duties and responsibilities of substitute teachers include taking attendance, following lesson plans provided by the teacher, assigning homework, and supervising students in classroom.

Generally, as a short-term substitute teacher, you won’t develop lesson plans, grade papers, or communicate with parents. That’s the job of the teacher or school district. Long-term substitute teachers are more likely to take on these responsibilities after being assigned to do so by a school administrator. 

Substitute teacher job description.

A great way to better understand substitute teacher requirements is to review example job descriptions on the Kelly Education website or your school district’s site. Job descriptions outline key details about a job and can be used as a guide to tailor your resume to a particular substitute teaching position. Here are some of the pertinent details typically included in job descriptions:

• Title 

• Reporting structure 

• Key objectives 

• Required qualifications 

• Special job requirements 

• Job duties and responsibilities 

Some job descriptions also provide salary information. For more details, check out our full article about job descriptions.

Substitute teacher salary expectations.

Substitute teacher pay varies by state and the school districts within each state, but can typically range from $16 per hour to $33 per hour, on average. A couple of the factors that can impact pay include local and state taxes and your education level. Some school districts pay by the hour, while others pay a daily rate. 

How to become a substitute teacher in your state. 

Each state has different rules and minimum requirements for becoming a substitute teacher. Even then, school districts can add requirements. We’ve put together a more comprehensive list of state specific requirements in this article. You’ll want to understand details about these minimum requirements: 

• Credentialing 

• Education verification 

• Background checks and fingerprinting 

• Employment verification 

• Training 

First-day expectations as a substitute teacher.

Once you land an exciting opportunity to substitute teach, feeling prepared for your first day is essential. Being prepared helps to reduce anxiety and increase confidence. One thing you can expect when you first arrive at the school is being provided with information to do your job, like notes from the teacher and your classroom assignment. 

You also want to prepare ahead of time at home by gathering items to bring with you that help you feel comfortable and prepared throughout the day. This includes items like lunch, water, backup activities for the students, and extra classroom supplies in case you need them. 

Substitute teacher attire.

What you wear as a substitute teacher says a lot about you as a professional. Dress codes can vary greatly between school districts and schools within those districts. Substitute teachers should dress in such a way that aligns with the school district’s dress code policy and sets a good example for the students. When in doubt, business casual is the way to go. It’s also a good idea to always have an extra set of clothing with you for days when mishaps occur. 

You gain transferable skills as a substitute teacher.

As a substitute teacher, you have the opportunity to enhance your skills and learn new ones. The great news is that most of these skills are transferable to other professions. Check out our full article about these transferable substitute teacher skills:

• Verbal and written communication 
• Organization 
• Time management and multitasking
• People management and leadership 
• Creativity 
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution 
• Coaching and mentorship 

Getting started with Kelly Education.

Are you ready to make a difference? Substitute teaching is a flexible and rewarding job. 

Check out education job opportunities near you or complete our brief interest form, and one of our expert recruiters will contact you to share more. We’re excited to get to know you and help you get started! 

If you’re interested in a substitute teaching position for a district where Kelly Education doesn’t yet operate, check out the school district’s website for more information.