Substitute Teachers, Short-Term

Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.

Meet the Writer: O*NET Occupational Analysts

Annual Salary
$38,470/ year
Median wage · BLS🇺🇸 USA

What You'll Actually Do

The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.

  • Answer students' questions.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence.
  • Counsel students with adjustment or academic problems.
  • Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.
  • Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
  • Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.
  • Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
  • Operate equipment such as computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.
  • Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.
  • Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
  • Teach a variety of subjects, such as English, mathematics, and social studies.
  • Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.
  • Tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.