How to hire a teaching assistant and substitute teacher

How to hire a teaching assistant and substitute teacher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step teaching assistant and substitute teacher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a teaching assistant and substitute teacher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new teaching assistant and substitute teacher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The teaching assistant and substitute teacher hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a teaching assistant and substitute teacher to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a teaching assistant and substitute teacher that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of teaching assistant and substitute teachers.

   Type of Teaching Assistant And Substitute Teacher	Description	Hourly rate
   Teaching Assistant And Substitute Teacher	Teacher assistants work under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction.	$11-21
   Teacher Aide	Teacher aides help lead teachers in managing the classroom. They assist teachers in conducting classroom sessions by setting up the classroom in advance, sourcing materials needed for class activities, helping in presentations, and guiding students during class activities... Show more	$11-17
   Teacher	Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world... Show more	$15-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mathematics
   • Classroom Management
   • Pre-K
   • Social Studies
   • Behavioral Issues
   • K-8
   • K-12
   • Student Learning
   • IEP
   • Behavior Management
   • Emotional Development
   • Behavior Modification
   • After-School Program

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the classroom environment and help students to learn in the absence of the regular teacher with grades levels k-5.
   • Instruct the students in their IEP objectives.
   • Create and implement different lessons and activities base around the students' needs and IEP's.
   • Assist classroom teachers in daily reading and mathematics projects, direct student groups on reading comprehension and literacy skills.
   • Plan and implement Pre-k curriculum.
   • Develop and implement lessons in mathematics and literacy to increase students' ability to comprehend basic concepts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your teaching assistant and substitute teacher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A teaching assistant and substitute teacher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, teaching assistant and substitute teachers' average salary in arkansas is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level teaching assistant and substitute teachers 45% less than senior-level teaching assistant and substitute teachers.
   • Certifications. A teaching assistant and substitute teacher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a teaching assistant and substitute teacher's salary.

   Average teaching assistant and substitute teacher salary

   $16.02hourly

   $33,328 yearly

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   Entry-level teaching assistant and substitute teacher salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

4. Writing a teaching assistant and substitute teacher job description

   A job description for a teaching assistant and substitute teacher role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a teaching assistant and substitute teacher job description:

   Teaching assistant and substitute teacher job description example

   *JOB TITLE: * Teacher Assistant *SUPERVISOR*: Lead Teacher
   
   *JOB SUMMARY: *
   
   Works in partnership with the classroom team to create a stimulating, developmentally appropriate environment designed to meet each child's emotional, social, physical and intellectual needs within the context of a group care setting.
   
   *JOB DESCRIPTION: *
   
   Provides a nurturing and loving environment in which the child can feel safe and free to experiment with independence issues typical to their age.
   
   Co-operates with team members to implement a program for children that meets their individual and group needs in all developmental levels; takes full advantage of children's enthusiasm for learning by providing many opportunities for play and exploration.
   
   Constantly monitors transition times between activities and establishes routines to ease transitions.
   
   As directed by teachers, maintain accurate and complete records including, but not limited to, attendance, medication, incident reporting, behavioral observations, meal counts, updated emergency information, development logs, etc. as required.
   
   Maintains vigilance about health and safety concerns including taking universal health precautions when changing diapers, treating wounds, serving food, etc. Enforces hand washing routines before meals, before cooking and whenever else necessary; continually monitors the cleanliness of the environment and sweeps, vacuums and mops as needed; pay attention to maintain a clear access to fire exits.
   
   Assists in providing a wide variety of opportunities for each child to master his/her world and succeed. Offers children a variety of real choices in the course of each day.
   
   Demonstrates and encourages children in the development of self help skills as appropriate to the child's age: e.g. Assists and encourages children in potty training, dressing and undressing, washing hands and face, clean up after play periods, setting the table for meals and snacks, etc. Eats with children to demonstrate and encourage them to serve and feed themselves and develop appropriate social skills during mealtimes.
   
   Establishes and maintains a friendly and cooperative relationship with each child's parent(s) and/or other caregivers. Is aware of gestures that can assist a parent, i.e
   
   Develops routines to ease difficult separations, assists in smooth departures, etc.
   
   Works with and cooperates with colleague in the classroom, wing and building to best use resources, share information and ensure high quality care for children. Participates in staff meetings, workshops and staff training. Participates in classroom program on an on- going basis. Assesses own performance and is committed to improving by recognizing and actively seeking avenues for professional development.
   
   Maintains high standards of professional confidentiality respecting the need of ALL those connected with the program to have all information about them held in the strictest confidence.
   
   Maintains an awareness of inventory of supplies and makes other team members aware of the need to order supplies as needed.
   
   Performs other related miscellaneous duties: Promotes the center and program within the community. Makes Lead Teacher aware of needed repairs. With the direction of the
   
   Teaching Team rearranges furniture and moveable fixtures to improve physical environment.
   
   Assures compliance with all applicable licensing regulations and program policies within the classroom. Alerts the Lead Teacher to possible areas of concern related to children, parents, regulatory compliance or the provision of high quality childcare.
   
   *WORKING CONDITIONS *
   
   Physical Demands:
   
   ? Stands, sits and moves about while supervising children at play in outside areas and while participating in indoor activities.
   
   ? Walks when accompanying children taking walks and on field trips.
   
   ? Sits when doing paperwork, observing children and eating at mealtimes and snacks.
   
   ? Lifts and carries children weighing up to 35 pounds.
   
   ? Reaches for and handles equipment and supplies when preparing meals, setting up for activities.
   
   ? Pushes and pulls to move furniture and fixtures within the classroom.
   
   ? Stoops, kneels, crouches and crawls when playing games with children and to demonstrate methods of performing tasks. Staff is expected to interact with children at their level.
   
   ? Talks to communicate with children and co-workers, and to read or relate stories.
   
   ? Hearing is needed to read all types of written materials, to complete reports; to examine cuts or bruises incurred by children and to administer first aid.
   
   ? Field of vision needed to observe children at play and during typical activities, to closely monitor developmental factors.
   
   ? Is attentive to the Health & Safety Policy and the roles and responsibilities outlined.
   
   2
   
   ? Environmental Conditions:
   
   ? Most work is performed in an indoor classroom setting.
   
   ? Accompanies children outdoors daily for such activities as playtime, games, walks, field trips, though not during severely inclement weather, extremely hot or cold.
   
   *JOB REQUIREMENTS: *
   
   Education: High School Degree or equivalent at minimum
   
   Experience: Experience working with young children e.g. Nanny, Summer Camp
   
   Counselor, Vacations, Program, Family Day Care, Extensive Baby-sitting.
   
   Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
   
   ? Familiarity with children's developmental stages.
   
   ? Ability to provide a nurturing and comforting environment for children.
   
   ? Receptive to professional staff development.
   
   ? Good interpersonal skills
   
   ? Enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
   
   ? CPR and First Aid Certification (will be trained after being hired).
   
   ? Knowledge of Universal Precautions (will be trained after being hired).
   
   ? Knowledge of USDA requirements to monitor meal service will be trained after being hired).
   
   *OTHER FACTS: *
   
   Days and hours of work: The center operates Monday through Friday, except for designated holidays. Open at 7 am and close at 6 pm.
   
   Supervised by: Lead Teacher
   
   Individual Employee Performance Appraisals will be completed when a new employee has worked for three (3) months; again, when employed for one (1) year and annually thereafter. Goals and Plans will be developed and goals agreed upon in the beginning of the evaluation period.
   
   I have reviewed and understand the forgoing job description. I am full aware to the duties and responsibilities I am expected to perform.
   
   \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
   
   Employees Signature Date
   
   \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
   
   Supervisors Signature Date
   
   3
   
   Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
   
   Pay: $13.55 - $18.00 per hour
   
   Benefits:
   * 401(k)
   * Dental insurance
   * Health insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Tuition reimbursement
   * Vision insurance
   Schedule:
   * 8 hour shift
   * Day shift
   * Monday to Friday
   * On call
   
   COVID-19 considerations:
   All employees are health checked daily, children throughout the day.
   
   Experience:
   * Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
   
   Shift availability:
   * Day Shift (Required)
   
   Work Location: One location

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right teaching assistant and substitute teacher for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your teaching assistant and substitute teacher job on Zippia to find and recruit teaching assistant and substitute teacher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting teaching assistant and substitute teachers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new teaching assistant and substitute teacher

   Once you've found the teaching assistant and substitute teacher candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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