Looking for a rewarding, flexible side hustle that fits into your child’s school schedule? Substitute teaching might be the opportunity for you.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to re-enter the workforce, a part-time worker in need of supplemental income, or in between jobs, subbing can provide extra income while allowing you to support your local schools.
“I like the flexibility and I like that it fits into the hours of school for my kids, so I can take them to their after-school activities,” said Elke, a mom I know who substitutes in her children’s schools. “I think it’s a great side hustle for moms. I’m surprised more moms don’t do it.”
Here’s a primer on some basics to know about becoming a substitute teacher and why it can be a great part-time job for parents.
Why Become a Substitute Teacher?
Substitute teaching offers a nice combination of flexibility, purpose, and income. Unlike many jobs, subbing generally allows you to set your own schedule and working location.
The districts I know about let substitutes choose when and where they work, making it easy to align with your child’s school schedule, your commute preferences, and your other obligations.
Substitutes can generally choose the days they want to work and say yes or no to specific assignments. In many districts, subs can see available assignments online or in an app each day and choose one that fits their preferences—or opt not to work that day.
Only want to work in your own child’s school, on campuses that are within five minutes of your home, or in certain grades? That should be an option in most cases, although some districts do require subs to work a certain number of days or be available to work in all schools. (In San Francisco, for example, subs are supposed to work at least five days during their first semester.)
Many parents opt to substitute outside their kids’ schools or districts, too. Besides opening up more work, this can give you great perspective and a valuable chance to compare your child’s school with others. One parent on X described substituting in a “no phones” school and seeing how much kids benefitted, compared to her own kids’ school, where phones were everywhere.
Subbing is a meaningful job—you’re helping maintain continuity in students’ education and a positive environment while teachers are away. It’s also a great way to dip your toes in if you’re interested in pursuing a teaching career down the line.
Benefits of Substitute Teaching as a Side Hustle
- Flexible Schedule: Work only on the days you’re available.
- Same Hours as Your Child’s School Day: Depending on where you sub and the age of your kid(s), you shouldn’t need childcare to take this gig. You may just need to arrange drop-off or pick-up for your child, unless you only take sub jobs at their school.
- Opportunity to Get Involved: Be present in your child’s school and community. It’s like volunteering, but you get paid! “It’s a good way to get to know who your kid is friends with and see what’s going on at their school,” Elke said.
- Make a Difference: The school years are crucial in children’s lives and in shaping the next generation. Your contribution to educating, supporting, and protecting them is vital.
- No Work to Take Home: Unlike full-time teachers, substitutes typically don’t have to do grading or lesson planning after hours.
- Extra Income: Earn money without the commitment of a full-time job.
How to Become a Substitute Teacher
To see if your district is hiring, visit the district’s website and look for a “Careers,” “Employment,” or “Human Resources” section. Many districts also post openings for substitute teachers on job boards like Indeed or EdJoin (used heavily in California). You can also call your district’s HR department or main office.
All states and school districts have their own requirements for substitute teachers, but here are some common expectations:
- Education: You may or may not need a college degree to substitute. For example, applicants in California at the time of writing must either (a) have a bachelor’s degree or (b) be enrolled in college and demonstrate mastery of reading, writing, and math basics. They can demonstrate mastery through coursework, SAT scores, or by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test. Some states may also require college credits in education or a related field.
- Certification: You may need a substitute teacher permit or license from your state, which may involve a short training program or exam.
- Background Check: You’ll need to pass a criminal background check and likely a fingerprinting process.
- Health Requirements: There may be health-related requirements to work in the schools. For example you may need to show a negative TB test or a waiver from a healthcare provider.
- References or Letters of Recommendation: Some districts require these, along with an online job application.
Check your local school district’s website or state educational department to learn about specific requirements in your area.
How Much Do Substitute Teachers Earn?
Pay rates for substitutes vary by location and school district. In my California school district, substitute teachers earn $250 per day, while in nearby San Francisco they get upwards of $325 a day.
Some districts offer higher pay for long-term assignments or for those with teaching certifications. In my district, subs get an extra $30 per day after 30 days in a classroom, while San Francisco offers almost $40 extra per day after 10 days in a class. There may also be bonuses for teachers who work more than a certain number of days in a semester.
Subbing can provide a nice stream of supplemental income on your terms, and the flexibility means it may even be possible to balance it with other part-time work or higher education.
What’s a Typical Day Like as a Substitute?
As a substitute teacher, your day will depend on the school and grade level you’re assigned to.
In some cases, you’ll follow a lesson plan left by the regular teacher. Other times, you’ll just supervise as kids log into Google classroom or other digital platforms to find their work for the day. You may even need to get creative sometimes, if you get limited direction from the teacher.
Some days will be easy—students will be engaged and cooperative. Other days may be more challenging, requiring patience and resourcefulness to manage distractible kids. This is where parents may have an edge. After all, you’ve been managing your own kids at home for years!
Here’s a rough outline of what to expect:
- Morning: Arrive early, check in at the office, and review lesson plans.
- Classroom Time: Supervise work or teach lessons, assist students, and maintain a safe, positive classroom environment.
- Breaks and Lunch: Bring a lunch to eat in the teacher’s lounge or common area, and use your break time to plan for the afternoon.
- Afternoon: Continue teaching, guide students through activities, and leave notes for the returning teacher. Unlike regular teachers, a substitute’s day ends when the school day is over, and you more or less get to go home when the kids do!
How Are Substitute Teachers Evaluated?
Substitute teachers are mostly evaluated informally, and that starts when you walk in the door. Office staff, teachers, aides, and administrators will notice if you’re friendly, professional, and on time.
People also notice how you manage the classroom, follow instructions, and interact with the class, advises a staffing agency. If you’re shouting across the room or your class gets wild enough to disrupt others, it may get back to the principal. Even how you act during lunch or in the hallway matters. Students also impact how you’re perceived—kids will talk about their day to their regular teacher and parents, and their feedback often gets passed along.
Principals may not be watching you directly, but they hear what’s going on from everyone else. Some districts also have systems to collect formal feedback or evaluations of substitutes. Don’t stress too much, though—simply treating kids and adults courteously and being responsible can go a long way to making a good impression. So be friendly, come prepared, follow the rules, stay flexible, and show that you can keep your cool even if things don’t go as expected.
Tips for Success as a Substitute Teacher
- Be Flexible: Be open to different grade levels and subjects—variety keeps things interesting! Most of all, respond to the circumstances. If your class is unruly or disengaged, be ready to change your plan and shake it up.
- Arrive Early: Give yourself time to review lesson plans and get settled. It’s also nice to have time to use the bathroom or get a drink of water before the students arrive.
- Prepare a Backup Plan: Have a few educational activities in case the teacher’s lesson plans are unclear, incomplete, or nonexistent. It’s worthwhile to have some enriching, fun ideas up your sleeve. Just avoid hot-button issues or sensitive topics. You can even use a little time to pay it forward to the main teacher. Principal Zac Bauermaster suggests subs take time “off script” to have kids write their teacher notes of appreciation.
- Stay Calm and Confident: Classroom management can be tough, but maintaining a firm yet friendly attitude helps. Remember, it’s just one day and sticking to a lesson plan is not a life-or-death requirement. Whatever grade you’re in, they’re still kids. Keep your cool and model grown-up behavior. Elke offered up some veteran mom wisdom that’s served her as a sub: “Keeping a level head and being respectful even when they’re not is really helpful.”
- Bring Your Sense of Humor: Kids can give substitute teachers a hard time. (Maybe you even did that when you were little!) Meanwhile, busy school staff may provide little information or support. And subs also have to face the unexpected, like last-minute changes. If you bring a sense of humor, it can help you roll with the punches. You’ll also have more fun. With a little luck, the kids will catch the mood, too!
- Build Relationships: Be friendly and get to know school staff and administrators when possible. (Just keep in mind they’re juggling a lot.) As you get to know them, they’ll be more likely to call you for future jobs and you’ll know who to ask for help when you sub.
- Embrace the Unexpected: Every day as a sub is different … much like parenting. Enjoy the adventure!
Preparing to Substitute Teach
Some districts provide short training sessions to familiarize substitute teachers with classroom management techniques and school policies.
Many don’t, however, so you may want to do a bit of prepping on your own. There are lots of online resources and social media accounts dedicated to sharing tricks of the teaching trade—although years of parenting may well be some of the best preparation, too.
Elke shared that her school district didn’t provide any training, so she just channeled her own school years alongside her parenting experience.
“I felt silly the first time I did it and I was standing in front of the classroom,” she recalled. “I thought, ok, I’m just going to act like a teacher!” It worked out, and she’s now a frequent sub in her children’s middle and high schools.
Is Substitute Teaching Right for You?
If you enjoy working with kids, have some patience, and can handle a bit of unpredictability, substitute teaching may be a fantastic side hustle.
“You need to be somebody who is independent and can figure it out on your own,” Elke advised. “It requires you to think on your toes and be flexible.”
Sounds a lot like being a parent to me!
If you’re up for it, substituting may be a great side gig to earn extra money while getting involved in your child’s school community. Plus, it offers the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference in students’ lives. Check with your local school district to see how you can get started.
