What do substitute teachers, short-term do?
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- Building Sub (Building Substitute)
- Building Sub Teacher (Building Substitute Teacher)
- Child Development Sub Teacher (Child Development Substitute Teacher)
- ESL Sub (English as a Second Language Substitute)
- HS Sub Teacher (High School Substitute Teacher)
- Pre-School Sub Teacher (Pre-School Substitute Teacher)
- Short-Term Sub Teacher (Short-Term Substitute Teacher)
- Sub (Substitute)
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.
- Answer students' questions.
- Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
- Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
- Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.
- Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.
- Tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.
- Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.
- Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
- Teach a variety of subjects, such as English, mathematics, and social studies.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
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