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What is a long term substitute teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones
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A long term substitute teacher is a qualified individual who steps into a classroom and takes over a teaching position for a prolonged period of time. Some duties include lesson planning, communication with parents, handling disciplinary issues, assessing students, grading assignments, and reporting those grades.

Their responsibilities also include fostering a safe and productive work environment and encouraging students to overcome their limitations and strive for more. They also need to teach interactive lessons, take all necessary actions to protect students, and assist those with special needs. Substitute teachers should keep contact with other staff members as well.

Long term substitute teachers are expected to have excellent communication and organizational skills and to be able to engage students, learn their strengths, weaknesses, and interests, and win their trust. They should also be able to plan engaging classroom activities and form relationships with their students since they are going to be with them longer than an average substitute teacher would.

Long term substitute teachers earn an average salary of $40,284 a year. This translates to $19.37 an hour. This career is expected to grow by 3% in between the years 2018 and 2028, creating 53,100 new jobs across the country.

What general advice would you give to a long term substitute teacher?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

General advice: I would encourage graduates to find a mentor who can guide them in their careers, stay on top of the latest technology, not be too hard on themselves, be flexible, be team players, be present, and care about their students.
ScoreLong Term Substitute TeacherUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $42,808

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%

Asian 3.70%

Black or African American 10.11%

Hispanic or Latino 12.94%

Unknown 3.92%

White 68.81%

Gender

female 72.14%

male 27.86%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Long term substitute teacher career paths

Key steps to become a long term substitute teacher

  1. Explore long term substitute teacher education requirements

    Most common long term substitute teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.4 %

    Master's

    18.7 %

    Associate

    5.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific long term substitute teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Classroom Management16.30%
    Long-Term Substitute13.19%
    Math10.51%
    Public Schools6.61%
    Social Studies5.51%
  3. Research long term substitute teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Create math lessons adopt from Florida 6th grade mathematics curriculum to meet individual learning styles and student comprehension levels
    • Lecture students about grammar and punctuation.
    • Develop, lead, communicate, and educate students of the geography curricula.
    • Deliver instruction over grammar, writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills.
  4. Prepare your long term substitute teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your long term substitute teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a long term substitute teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable long term substitute teacher resume templates

    Build a professional long term substitute teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your long term substitute teacher resume.
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    Long Term Substitute Teacher Resume
    Long Term Substitute Teacher Resume
    Long Term Substitute Teacher Resume
    Long Term Substitute Teacher Resume
    Long Term Substitute Teacher Resume
    Long Term Substitute Teacher Resume
  5. Apply for long term substitute teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a long term substitute teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first long term substitute teacher job

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Average long term substitute teacher salary

The average long term substitute teacher salary in the United States is $42,808 per year or $21 per hour. Long term substitute teacher salaries range between $30,000 and $59,000 per year.

Average long term substitute teacher salary
$42,808 Yearly
$20.58 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do long term substitute teachers rate their job?

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Long term substitute teacher reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

The kids light up my days.

Cons

The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.

Cons

I can't say, maybe because there is none.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days

Cons

Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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