Substitute teacher job description
A substitute teacher takes a class while its teacher is away: teaching the lesson plans the teacher left, keeping the room's routines, taking attendance, supervising students at all times and leaving a written report on the day. That is how three districts' own job descriptions put it (Jordan in Utah, Newport News in Virginia and Williamson County in Tennessee). Each also asks for confidentiality, punctuality and calling the office for help, and long-term subs may plan and grade too.
Every job description below was read on October 31, 2026, on the district's own site. The duties are in our words; the districts that list each one are named beside it.
The duties
On arrival
- Report to the office or the person the school names as soon as you arrive. (Newport News, Virginia; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Go over the lesson plans and the day's schedule with the school's contact person. (Newport News, Virginia)
- Arrive on time for every job you accept, using your own transport to get there. (Jordan SD, Utah; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Ask the front office to explain any school rule or procedure you are unsure of. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
Teaching
- Teach the lesson plans and use the materials the regular teacher left. (Jordan SD, Utah; Newport News, Virginia; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Keep the school's and the classroom's established routines and procedures. (Jordan SD, Utah; Newport News, Virginia)
- Help students with class assignments, tests, homework and make-up work. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Use the classroom's computers and technology when the plan needs them, and check the district's sub system and email. (Jordan SD, Utah; Williamson County, Tennessee)
Keeping students safe
- Supervise the students in your care at all times. (Jordan SD, Utah; Newport News, Virginia)
- Oversee behavior in class, at lunch, at recess and in other periods. (Newport News, Virginia; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Take attendance the way the school does it. (Jordan SD, Utah; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Follow the school's emergency procedures. (Jordan SD, Utah)
- Ask the school's administration for help with a classroom management problem. (Jordan SD, Utah)
- Report accidents, fights, rule breaking and safety problems involving students. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
Privacy and conduct
- Keep student information confidential, including IEPs and 504 plans. (Jordan SD, Utah; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Model professional and ethical conduct with students, parents and staff. (Jordan SD, Utah; Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Follow the district's policies, rules and procedures. (Jordan SD, Utah; Newport News, Virginia; Williamson County, Tennessee)
At the end of the day
- Leave a written report on the day's activities for the teacher. (Newport News, Virginia)
- Tell the teacher what work was finished, what was changed and any concerns. (Jordan SD, Utah)
- Leave the room's materials and equipment in order, and follow the dismissal procedures. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Return your badge, credentials and keys to the front office. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
- Stay in the building for the hours of the assignment. (Newport News, Virginia)
Sometimes
- In a long-term job: plan lessons, grade work and enter scores, and talk with parents about progress, when asked. (Jordan SD, Utah)
- In special education: help the special education teacher with academic and behavior support, when assigned. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
- In middle or high school: teach during a prep period, if asked. (Jordan SD, Utah)
- Help with clerical jobs such as copies, laminating, filing and bulletin boards. (Williamson County, Tennessee)
What each district asks of you
| Jordan SD, Utah | Newport News, Virginia | Williamson County, Tennessee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schooling | High school diploma, GED or equivalent | High school diploma or GED with at least 30 semester hours of college credit and a 2.5 GPA; a bachelor's degree preferred | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Age | At least 21 (18 at the district's three special schools) | Not in its job description | Not in its job description |
| Training | The district's substitute training program before the first job | Not in its job description | STEDI substitute training with a score of at least 85%, unless exempt |
| Background check | Fingerprints and a criminal background check | Not in its job description | Criminal justice fingerprint and background clearance |
| Lifting | Up to 25 pounds now and then (up to 50 in some special education, PE, CTE, theatre or art rooms) | Up to 25 pounds to shoulder height | Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling |
| How often you work | At least four days a month from 1 September to 1 June, or you leave the sub pool | Not in its job description | Not in its job description |
States set their own rules for subs too: see substitute teacher requirements by state.
In one paragraph
The substitute teacher teaches the regular teacher's lesson plans in their absence, keeps the class's routines and the school's procedures, takes attendance, supervises students at all times, follows emergency procedures, keeps student information confidential and leaves a written report on the day for the teacher.
Our summary of the three, free to reuse on a résumé or a school's posting. Every district writes its own job description. Read the one from the district you are applying to, and ask its sub office what it expects.
Applying?
- Write a substitute teacher cover letter that answers these duties.
- Practice the interview questions: what a district is listening for.
- My sub résumé sheet, from the days you've logged.
- How do I become a substitute teacher?
- Is substitute teaching a good job? · Building, permanent and floating subs
- Substitute teacher pay by state
Sources
- Jordan School District (Utah): Substitute Teacher job description, revised March 2024 (opened October 31, 2026)
- Newport News Public Schools (Virginia): Substitute Teacher job description, revised January 2023 (opened October 31, 2026)
- Williamson County Schools (Tennessee): Substitute Teacher job description, revised March 2025 (opened October 31, 2026)
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