Substitute Teacher job description

What is a Substitute Teacher?

Substitute Teachers replace regular teachers for a short period of time (e.g. a week or a month) or for the entire academic year. They make sure that the lesson plan is followed and the classroom is running smoothly in the absence of the regular teacher.

What does a Substitute Teacher do?

This is usually a role for entry-level teachers who are currently taking their first steps in teaching before they become full-time educators. In some cases, Substitute Teachers work for a few hours per day or week and replace regular teachers on a day-to-day basis depending on short-term or even last-minute needs (e.g. when a teacher calls in sick).

Sometimes, they replace teachers for a longer period of time, for example, when the regular teacher is on parental leave or sabbatical. In this case, Substitute Teachers work full-time with a fixed employment contract.

When advertising your Substitute Teacher positions, consider including the specifics in the job title to target the right candidates. If applicable, mention in a parenthesis the educational level (e.g. elementary school, high school, etc.), whether this is a full-time job and whether you need expertise in a specific field, such as English language, Math, etc.

What are the responsibilities of a Substitute Teacher?

Duties may differ depending on the school, the class level and the teacher's field of expertise, but they usually include:

• Following the curriculum and lesson plan
• Preparing educational materials
• Grading classwork and homework

Job brief

We are looking for a Substitute Teacher to teach classes on a temporary and long-term basis.

In this role, you will follow the curriculum as provided by the principal or the absent teacher, assign homework and oversee attendance. You will also provide guidelines to students, grade their assignments and keep track of their progress.

Ultimately, you will help us run our classes smoothly and promote effective learning and development.

Responsibilities

• Study and follow the curriculum and lesson plan as provided by the absent teacher or the principal
• Apply various teaching techniques (including interactive methods and game-based activities) to encourage participation and facilitate learning
• Prepare educational materials, such as notes, exercises and additional resources
• Assign classwork and homework
• Take attendance according to school policy
• Grade students’ assignments and provide constructive feedback
• Keep track of students’ progress and write down information that’ll be useful to the regular teacher
• Report any incidents regarding students’ behavior in and out of the classroom
• Maintain a tidy and safe class environment for students
• Oversee school equipment and ensure students use it properly

Requirements and skills

• Previous experience as a part-time or full-time Teacher
• Additional experience working with children is a plus
• In-depth knowledge of learning techniques and teaching methods
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to remain patient and approachable while also maintaining an orderly classroom
• Great organizational skills
• BSc in Education or other degree in Teaching