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Substitute teachers step in when the regular teacher is absent or otherwise unavailable. You will do the same job as a regular teacher and will carry out the lesson plans that the teacher has laid out. In that way, there is very little autonomy in deciding what will be taught or how it will be taught. As a substitute teacher, you have the huge advantage of being able to choose when and where you want to work. This freedom allows you to plan your time to your benefit and gives you time for other endeavors. Here is a strong resume sample.
As a substitute teacher, you will be moving around to wherever you are needed. One of the most useful things you must highlight is your range. Recruiters need to know that you can cover teachers in various subjects and that you can teach various grades.
A big measure of success for a substitute teacher is what the regular teachers that they covered, thought about their performance. If you have had very positive feedback from regular teachers, as this applicant has, make sure you highlight that in your resume.
We spoke with hiring managers and principals at schools across the country, including Bright Horizons, Stratford School, and Challenger School, to understand what they look for in an ideal substitute teacher resume. Based on their insights and our own expertise in the education industry, we've put together the following tips to help your resume stand out and land you more substitute teaching jobs.
Principals want to see that you have strong classroom management abilities and can maintain a positive learning environment, even as a substitute teacher. Showcase specific examples of how you've handled challenging situations and kept students engaged.
Avoid vague or generic statements that don't provide concrete evidence of your skills.
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It's a brief paragraph, typically 3-5 sentences, that highlights your most relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences for the job you're applying for.
While a summary is not a mandatory section for a substitute teacher resume, it can be a useful addition if you have relevant experience or skills that you want to emphasize. However, it's important to avoid using an objective statement, which is an outdated resume feature that focuses on what you want from the job rather than what you can offer the employer.
Your work experience section is the heart of your substitute teacher resume. It's where you highlight your teaching skills, classroom management abilities, and experience working with students. Use this section to show hiring managers how you've excelled in previous substitute teaching roles and how you can bring value to their school.
When describing your substitute teaching experience, use powerful action verbs that showcase your skills and accomplishments. Avoid generic phrases like "responsible for" or "helped with." Instead, use education-specific verbs that demonstrate your impact.
Compare the following examples:
Instead, use strong verbs like:
The education section of your substitute teacher resume is an important part of your application. It shows that you have the necessary qualifications and training to teach in a classroom setting. In this section, we'll cover what to include and how to format your education section for maximum impact.
Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your substitute teacher resume. It's where you highlight your top abilities and qualifications that make you the best candidate for the job. In this section, we'll break down the key steps to writing an effective skills section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you land your next substitute teaching role.
Here are examples of popular skills from Substitute Teacher job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Substitute Teacher job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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