What does a substitute instructor do?
A substitute instructor is in charge of managing and facilitating classroom activities while the teacher or instructor is not around. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the teacher they're substituting for to have insights into the current progress of lessons, recording student attendance, conducting discussions and assessments, preparing different activities, and overseeing the progress of students. Furthermore, a substitute instructor must prepare reports for the teacher and implement the school policies and regulations, all to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for students.
Substitute instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real substitute instructor resumes:
- Manage the classroom environment and help students to learn in the absence of the regular teacher with grades levels k-5.
- Develop grade level appropriate curriculum in reading, math, science and social studies.
- Provide educational instruction for students grade k-12.
- Instruct students in the areas of math and science.
- Prepare class materials such as PowerPoint presentations and handouts.
- Tutor ages 16-mid 50's desiring to obtain their GED
- Teach core and elective ESL classes on a substitute basis.
- Have covered all areas including ESL, GED, and computer programs.
- Develop syllabus and grade student assignments (homework, tests and examinations).
- Instruct massage therapy students in ethics, business, and anatomy and physiology.
- Involve in student programs such as high school leadership crews, and literature journals.
- Evaluate the progress of students and conference with parents about how their kids are doing.
- Prepare high functioning consumers for the GED testing with special accommodations with one successful completion.
- Work with kids of all ages from preschoolers through 5th graders, depending on the need.
- Substitute for the Pre-k and elementary classes balancing understanding of student and parents needs with a commitment to provide excellent education.
Substitute instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Substitute Instructors are proficient in Kids, Classroom Management, and Mathematics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Communication skills, and Patience.
We break down the percentage of Substitute Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Kids, 20%
Delivered substitute day care services to approximately 10-15 preschool age children and instructed grade school kids through aftercare program.
- Classroom Management, 14%
Developed classroom management and instructional strategies to ensure students success in various classes.
- Mathematics, 11%
Developed and implemented interesting and interactive learning mediums to increase Student understanding of course materials in mathematics.
- Literature, 9%
Involved in student programs such as high school leadership crews, and literature journals.
- Syllabus, 8%
Created and administered quiz and examination questions that were based upon performance objectives identified in the syllabus and their expected outcomes.
- Math, 6%
Developed grade level appropriate curriculum in reading, math, science and social studies.
Most substitute instructors use their skills in "kids," "classroom management," and "mathematics" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential substitute instructor responsibilities here:
Physical stamina. The most essential soft skill for a substitute instructor to carry out their responsibilities is physical stamina. This skill is important for the role because "working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring." Additionally, a substitute instructor resume shows how their duties depend on physical stamina: "assisted seniors with mental, physical and developmental disabilities in adl's organized small groups with educational and recreational activities. "
Communication skills. Many substitute instructor duties rely on communication skills. "teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators," so a substitute instructor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways substitute instructor responsibilities rely on communication skills: "worked as a si for signal communications & math & physics courses for undergraduates in purdue university calumet. "
Patience. This is an important skill for substitute instructors to perform their duties. For an example of how substitute instructor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a substitute instructor: "maintain classroom order; exhibit patience; ability to work with children with special needs".
Resourcefulness. A commonly-found skill in substitute instructor job descriptions, "resourcefulness" is essential to what substitute instructors do. Substitute instructor responsibilities rely on this skill because "kindergarten and elementary school teachers must be able to get students engaged in learning." You can also see how substitute instructor duties rely on resourcefulness in this resume example: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of students with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "
The three companies that hire the most substitute instructors are:
- Galileo50 substitute instructors jobs
- San Diego College of Continuing Education9 substitute instructors jobs
- Management & Training7 substitute instructors jobs
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Compare different substitute instructors
Substitute instructor vs. Correspondence school instructor
A correspondence school instructor confers with learners and their parents on the assigned students' progress or issues. Besides participating in teacher and learner or teacher and parent conferences, correspondence school instructors also instruct learners in the face-to-face settings on their IEP's objectives/goals. These professionals create classroom curriculums that promote intellectual curiosity, incorporate all child development areas, and build self-confidence. Also, correspondence school instructors plan a wide range of events and various activities for students.A correspondence school instructor confers with learners and their parents on the assigned students' progress or issues. Besides participating in teacher and learner or teacher and parent conferences, correspondence school instructors also instruct learners in the face-to-face settings on their IEP's objectives/goals. These professionals create classroom curriculums that promote intellectual curiosity, incorporate all child development areas, and build self-confidence. Also, correspondence school instructors plan a wide range of events and various activities for students.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a substitute instructor are more likely to require skills like "literature," "esl," "english language," and "chemistry." On the other hand, a job as a correspondence school instructor requires skills like "cpr," "professional development," "k-5," and "curriculum development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Correspondence school instructors tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $40,495. In contrast, substitute instructors make the biggest average salary, $46,283, in the non profits industry.correspondence school instructors tend to reach lower levels of education than substitute instructors. In fact, correspondence school instructors are 6.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Substitute instructor vs. Long term substitute teacher
A long term substitute teacher is responsible for covering the duties of a teacher who is away for a long time. Long term substitute teachers proceed with the lesson plan outlines and the regular teacher's curriculum depending on their expertise. They monitor and assess the students' behavior, create an engaging learning environment, evaluate the students' learning progress by conducting a series of tests, create reports of the students' performance, and help students struggling with the subject.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that substitute instructor responsibilities requires skills like "kids," "mathematics," "syllabus," and "english language." But a long term substitute teacher might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "long-term substitute," "professional development," "kindergarten," and "language arts."
Long term substitute teachers may earn a higher salary than substitute instructors, but long term substitute teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $44,729. On the other hand, substitute instructors receive higher pay in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,283.long term substitute teachers earn similar levels of education than substitute instructors in general. They're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for substitute instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Helen Callus
Professor of Viola, Northwestern University
I imagine this might become part of the framework that we offer in the future. Students should understand how to present themselves in these situations, understanding sound and picture quality devices (what microphones and cameras are best), internet speeds, ethernet cables, router devices, lighting, etc. But it is an excellent opportunity to understand the media of film/video and how to create best a sound video recording for competitions, summer festivals, or college applications. We were already using that medium for prescreens, so this is a chance to refine that skill as, without doubt, that will be a part of our future.
Substitute instructor vs. Certified substitute teacher
A vocational training instructor is responsible for teaching students with the subject expertise needed to land a job for a specific industry requirement. Vocational training instructors are the same as regular instructors as they also identify the students' strengths and weaknesses, manage their learning expectations, and develop personalized teaching plans to address difficulties. They conduct examinations and regular assessments to test the students' knowledge and learning, which is crucial to determine their level of moving up.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, substitute instructors are more likely to have skills like "kids," "literature," "syllabus," and "math." But a certified substitute teacher is more likely to have skills like "substitute teaching," "pre-kindergarten," "supportive learning environment," and "long-term assignments."
Certified substitute teachers typically earn similar educational levels compared to substitute instructors. Specifically, they're 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Substitute instructor vs. Vocational training instructor
Even though a few skill sets overlap between substitute instructors and vocational training instructors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a substitute instructor might have more use for skills like "kids," "classroom management," "mathematics," and "literature." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of vocational training instructors require skills like "curriculum development," "training materials," "training programs," and "customer service. "
Vocational training instructors enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $67,279. For comparison, substitute instructors earn the highest salary in the non profits industry.In general, vocational training instructors hold lower degree levels compared to substitute instructors. Vocational training instructors are 6.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of substitute instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
