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Substitute Teacher Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated October 8, 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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7 min read

A Substitute Teacher fills in for a regular Teacher if they are absent or unable to attend a particular class or session. Their duties include following lesson plans created by the regular Teacher, monitoring student behaviour, and maintaining a positive learning environment.

Substitute Teacher duties and responsibilities

A Substitute Teacher has the ability to manage the class and its students, and ensure that there is no gap in the learning process. Primary duties and responsibilities of a Substitute Teacher include:

  • Manage students properly and minimize distractions while encouraging student participation
  • Pay attention to each individual student, ensure they understand the learning material and clarify any questions or concerns
  • Supervise students in the classroom, in school hallways, on the playground, and during breaks
  • Provide any assignments based on the lesson plan designed by the regular Teacher
  • In case of a long-term role, develop lesson plans and assignments that coincide with the original plan designed by the regular Teacher

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Substitute Teacher Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Leap Forward Childcare is looking for 1 long term substitute/casual daycare teacher to cover sick days, appointment days, personal days, and holidays for 7 full-time staff members.

The centre offers care to 28 children 1-5 years of age and is located in Langford at 2758 Peatt RD.

Starting Wage: $25.00-$31.75 per hour

Requirements:

  • 19 years of age or older
  • 3 excellent references
  • Experience working with children 1-5 years of age
  • Clear Criminal Record Check (completed at the time of hiring)
  • The completion of a course, or a combination of courses, of at least 20 hours duration in child development, guidance, health and safety, or nutrition.





Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $25.00-$31.75 per Location: In person

Example 2

Do you want to join an innovative and progressive school that offers small class sizes and a supportive and team environment?

OneSchool Global is seeking a dynamic and creative Substitute Teacheron our Montreal Campus.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Quebec Teaching Permit (Brevet is preferred)
  • Willingness to take a criminal background check
  • Willingness to be part of a collaborative educational team;
  • Effective communication skills, both oral and written;
  • Professional learning community (PLC) knowledge and background preferred;
  • Evidence of sensitivity and respect for others and a willingness to work within cultural boundaries

Salary is negotiable base on experience and qualifications

Montreal Campus:[website]

Our Website: [website]

Our Facebook: [website]

Our Twitter:[website]

Our LinkedIn: [website]

OneSchool Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Casual

Pay: $210.00 per day

Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • No call

Example 3

Northern Gateway Public Schools invites applications for a full-time substitute teaching position (1.0 FTE). This position isbased in the Valleyview area, but may be required to travel to surrounding communities from time to time.

The full-time substitute teacher will work under a full-time arrangement that provides dedicated substitute coverage to our various schools. Benefits and other important details regarding employment are outlined in the Alberta Teachers’ Association Collective Agreement.

Successful candidate responsibilities:
  • Teaching all grade levels - K-12

The successful candidate must:
  • have a valid Alberta Teaching Certificate
  • have successfull teaching experience
  • have effective organizational and classroom management skills
  • have classroom practice that is focused on:
  • a student-centered approach to responsive instruction that ensures student engagement and understanding, and nurtures teacher-student relationships
  • deepening students’ numeracy skills and Math curriculum understanding and application
  • the application of a variety of technologies to support learning for all students
  • assessment for/of learning that will support students in their areas of needed growth and achievement
  • the domains of the NGPS Quality Learning Environment (QLE)
  • collegial collaboration, support and intervention
  • diversity and broadening students’ knowledge of First Nation, Metis and Inuit
  • strong and effective communication with parents and the community
  • have school practice that is focused on:
  • working with school administration to support the School Advancement Plan
  • a commitment to student achievement and success through the Collaborative Team Meeting (CTM) process
  • working with school administration team to enhance staff wellness, and team development and spirit, and
  • outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

Start Date:
  • Duties will commence August 30, 2022

Application Process:
  • Email a cover letter and resume, including three (3) current professional references and most recent teacher evaluation, by May 13, 2022, to:

Human Resources

On-line: [website]

If shortlisted, applicants must bring to the interview a Release of Results of Vulnerable Sector Check that is current within three (3) months.

We appreciate all applications, but will only contact those who are shortlisted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $60,145.00-$101,164.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Dental care
  • Extended health care
  • Vision care
Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Valleyview, AB T0H 3N0: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Licence/Certification:
  • Alberta Teaching Certificate / License (required)

Application deadline: start date: 2022-08-30

Example 4

Job Title: Itinerant Substitute Teacher

Job Advertisement #: 2023WSD044

Type of Position: Full-Time; Limited Term (1.0 FTE)

Location: Division

Employment Dates: Sept. 5, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Salary: As per the Collective Agreement

Closing Date: Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.

Description

Western School Division is looking for an energetic individual who demonstrates enthusiasm towards learning to function as an Itinerant Substitute Teacherfor the 23-24 school year.

The successful candidate must be a qualified teacher possessing a valid Manitoba teaching certificate or have the ability to obtain such. S/he must demonstrate a child-centred approach, excellent interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as flexibility and ability to handle change, including the capability to step into homeroom class teacher roles as required. S/he must be willing and able to work as part of a team, yet function independently with little guidance and present him/herself professionally. The successful candidate must possess experience with lesson planning; classroom management, and demonstrate an understanding and application of intervention at the classroom level. The ability to speak, write, and teach fluently in both French and English is considered an asset.

A condition of employment with the Western School Division is a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Search, Child Abuse Registry Check and an agreement by the applicant to disclose criminal record and/or Abuse Registry record information to the Division. The successful candidate will be responsible for any service charges incurred. Persons must present this information prior to their first day of work.

The Western School Division is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment to all applicants starting with the hiring process. Should you be contacted for the interview, please advise the Division if any restrictions require accommodation. All information received regarding the accommodation will be kept confidential.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $48,379.00-$103,888.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Dental care
  • Disability insurance
  • Extended health care
  • Life insurance
Schedule:
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday



Licence/Certification:
  • legal eligibility to work in Canada (required)


Work Location: In start date: 2023-09-05

Example 5

  • Calgary Girls Charter School(CGCS)
Substitute (Guest) Teachers 2022 - 2023

SW Calgary, Alberta

The Calgary Girls Charter School*, *one of Alberta’s unique public charter schools, serves approximately 500 students in Grades 4 - 9 on two campuses in SW Calgary, Alberta. We are currently inviting applications from
(certificated) Teachers to join our Substitute (Guest) Teaching team.

Our Charter goals include high academic achievement as well as healthy social-emotional development of girls and young women. *CGCS uses the Alberta curriculum, and infuses our unique Go Girls curriculum into our culture and instructional program. Through the pedagogical lens of inquiry, our teachers - both generalists and specialists - support learning to nurture confident, competent, caring young women who have a strong sense of self, appreciation for others and respect for community. Our specialist programs - Fine Arts
(Drama, Music, Visual Art), STEM, Physical Education and Student Learning Supports - offer extensive opportunities for students to explore, to create, to experience, to research, to innovate and to engage, while discovering passions, making choices, problem-solving, making connections and fostering a strong sense of self and one’s voice and influence around social issues and resiliency.

As a school of choice, Calgary Girls Charter School (CGCS)*, emphasizes a collaborative teaching and learning environment where parents are partners in our learning community.

In this all-girls learning environment, staff is expected to remain current in research that informs professional practice and inspires the school’s vision and mission. The school partners with parents to raise girls who challenge gender role stereotypes, value self and others, consider issues of equality and justice, and contribute to the well-being of a safe, caring and welcoming environment.

This is an exceptional opportunity to grow as a teacher by working collaboratively with an outstanding team of professionals. For more information about our school go to [website]

The ideal candidate:
? possesses effective pedagogical strategies in teaching and learning;
? will work in a collaborative team environment with grade level partners and vertical grade team partners;
? possesses strong understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion practices;
? will create a safe, caring, inclusive, collaborative, learning environment where girls develop confidence and competence;
? will engage students through authentic, real-world challenges;
? will transform education through intentionally designed learning opportunities;
? is technologically literate, exploring and leveraging the possibilities that media offers, and
? believes every child can experience success in a positive, supportive classroom.

Compensation: The Calgary Girls Charter School offers a competitive compensation and benefit package.

Applicants must provide:
? Proof of a valid Alberta Teaching Certificate, and a
? Clear Vulnerable Sector Check that is current, within three (3) months.

Job Type: Casual

Schedule:
  • Day Location: In person
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What does a Substitute Teacher do?

A Substitute Teacher is typically a short-term role, which in some cases could develop into a long-term position, depending on the needs of the school. If the Substitute Teacher is only there for the short-term, they are expected to follow lesson plans and evaluate students based on learning outcomes outlined by their regular Teacher.

In addition, a Substitute Teacher is responsible for monitoring the performance and behaviour of students, and report anything they feel might be amiss. It is a Substitute Teacher’s duty to maintain a positive learning environment where students are encouraged to participate, ask questions, and receive the attention they need to learn and understand the lesson plan.

Substitute Teacher skills and qualifications

A Substitute Teacher has the necessary skills and qualifications to maintain a positive learning environment and ensure proper communication of course curriculum. Some necessary Substitute Teacher skills and qualifications include:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to interact and guide students of all ages
  • Knowledgeable about core subjects
  • Ability to create lesson plans
  • Patience, tolerance, and flexibility

Substitute Teacher experience requirements

Substitute Teachers are generally not required to have as much experience as full-time Teachers. However, those with experience teaching children or experience working with children are preferred. Past experience does not have to be limited to the role of a Substitute Teacher, but related roles such as a Personal Tutor, Camp Counsellor, or Daycare Assistant are also considered.

Substitute Teacher education and training requirements

Any applicant interested in the position of a Substitute Teacher should have a bachelor’s degree. Candidates with an Early Childhood Educator Certificate may be preferred, depending on grade level. A Substitute Teacher must also be well-versed with effective instruction methods and classroom management. Additionally, Substitute Teachers must possess a teaching certification from their respective provinces.

Substitute Teacher salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher is $28.75 per hour in Canada. Rates may be dependent on factors including experience, location, and school board.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Substitute Teacher is not quite what you’re looking for, a few other job description samples that may fit your needs include:

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Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
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Substitute Teacher job description FAQs

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