Substitute, Education ​/ Teaching

K–12 Substitute Teacher Job Description

The K–12 Substitute Teacher provides temporary classroom instruction and supervision in the absence of the regularly assigned teacher. The substitute teacher is responsible for maintaining a safe, respectful, structured, and academically focused learning environment while implementing lesson plans and instructional activities provided by the classroom teacher or school administration.

Substitute teachers are expected to support the district's academic expectations, follow all school and district policies and procedures, maintain student confidentiality, and demonstrate professionalism when interacting with students, staff, families, and administrators.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction and Learning

• Implement lesson plans and instructional activities provided by the regular classroom teacher.
• Provide clear directions and explanations to students regarding assignments and classroom expectations.
• Maintain the continuity of instruction during the regular teacher's absence.
• Assist students with assignments and provide appropriate academic support.
• Utilize available instructional materials, technology, textbooks, and other resources as directed.
• Ensure students remain actively engaged in meaningful academic activities throughout the instructional period.
• Collect and organize completed student assignments as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Leave appropriate documentation for the regular teacher regarding lessons completed, student progress, concerns, and other relevant information.
• Refrain from altering the regular teacher's lesson plans, grading practices, or classroom procedures unless directed by an administrator.

Classroom Management and Student Supervision

• Establish and maintain an orderly classroom environment conducive to teaching and learning.
• Follow the classroom teacher's established rules, routines, procedures, and behavior expectations.
• Supervise students at all times and ensure their safety and well-being.
• Use appropriate, respectful, and district-approved classroom management strategies.
• Follow school procedures when addressing significant student behavior concerns.
• Never leave students unattended without appropriate authorization or supervision.
• Supervise students during transitions, arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, assemblies, hallways, or other assigned duties when required.
• Follow all student check-in, check-out, attendance, and dismissal procedures.

School and District Procedures

• Report to the assigned school at the designated time and remain for the entire assignment unless released by an administrator.
• Sign in and out according to school procedures.
• Review substitute materials, emergency procedures, schedules, lesson plans, and other information provided upon arrival.
• Accurately record and report student attendance.
• Follow the school's daily schedule and assigned duty schedule.
• Comply with district policies, school procedures, employee expectations, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Follow all emergency, crisis, fire, severe weather, lockdown, evacuation, and safety procedures.
• Immediately report accidents, injuries, suspected abuse or neglect, threats, safety concerns, or other serious incidents to the appropriate school administrator.
• Follow procedures related to student health needs and refer medical concerns to the school nurse or appropriate administrator.

Professional Conduct

• Maintain professional and respectful relationships with students, employees, administrators, families, and community members.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
• Protect the confidentiality of student records, academic information, behavioral information, medical information, and other personally identifiable information.
• Refrain from photographing, recording, or posting information about students or school activities on personal social media without proper authorization.
• Refrain from using personal electronic devices during instructional time except when necessary for authorized school-related purposes.
• Dress professionally and appropriately for the school environment and assigned duties.
• Demonstrate punctuality, dependability,…