If you’re interested in joining the education field and want a flexible way to start, becoming a substitute teacher in Georgia is a great option. Substitute teachers fill in for full-time educators when they are absent, helping maintain instructional continuity and classroom order.
This role is ideal for individuals looking to gain classroom experience, explore teaching as a career, or contribute to their local community. In this guide, we’ll cover the role of a substitute teacher, requirements in Georgia, and the steps to get certified.
Substitute Teacher Job Description
Substitute teachers play a vital role in maintaining instructional quality and classroom continuity when full-time educators are absent. In Georgia, substitute teachers may work across all grade levels—from Pre-K through 12th grade—and are expected to quickly adapt to different learning environments, school cultures, and student needs.
While the duties of a substitute teacher may vary depending on the length of the assignment and grade level, they are generally expected to take over classroom responsibilities with minimal disruption to the learning process. Substitutes must be able to step into a classroom at a moment’s notice and create a structured, safe, and supportive learning environment.
Core Responsibilities Include:
- Following Lesson Plans: Carefully review and implement lesson plans left by the regular classroom teacher. Substitutes are expected to deliver instruction, manage transitions between subjects or activities, and ensure the learning objectives for the day are met.
- Classroom Management: Maintain discipline and ensure a respectful and inclusive atmosphere. This includes enforcing school and classroom rules, using appropriate behavior management techniques, and creating an orderly environment conducive to learning.
- Attendance and Documentation: Take attendance accurately and submit it promptly to the school office. Long-term substitutes may also be responsible for grading assignments, updating classroom logs, and communicating with parents or administrators as needed.
- Instructional Support: Provide direct instruction, answer student questions, and offer support for individual and group work. This may include explaining new material, clarifying directions, or reviewing previously taught concepts.
- Supervision Duties: Oversee students during non-instructional times such as lunch, recess, hallway transitions, or dismissal. Substitutes must remain vigilant and ensure student safety and respectful conduct during these periods.
- Reporting and Communication: Notify school staff of any significant student behavior, injuries, or incidents that occur during the day. Good communication with administrators and support staff is essential, especially when managing unfamiliar students or classrooms.
- Adaptability Across Subjects and Grade Levels: Substitutes may be asked to cover multiple classrooms in a single day, especially in elementary schools or during shortages. Versatility in teaching core subjects like English, math, science, and social studies is often required.
- Special Education and Support Roles: In some cases, substitute teachers may support students with special needs, work alongside paraprofessionals, or provide coverage in resource or intervention rooms. Patience and understanding of differentiated instruction are valuable in these roles.
Key Traits and Skills of a Successful Substitute Teacher:
- Reliability: Schools rely heavily on substitutes to ensure learning continues without disruption. Dependability and punctuality are essential.
- Flexibility: Each assignment may bring new challenges, from different school policies to varying student needs. Being adaptable is critical.
- Classroom Presence: Confidence, clarity, and a calm demeanor help substitutes establish authority and rapport with students quickly.
- Communication Skills: Clear communication with students, staff, and administrators is essential for success and building trust.
- Cultural Awareness: Georgia’s classrooms are diverse, and substitutes must be respectful and inclusive of students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Whether you’re covering a one-day absence or stepping in for a longer-term role, substitute teaching in Georgia requires both structure and creativity, along with a genuine interest in helping students succeed.
How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Georgia
Becoming a substitute teacher in Georgia is more accessible than pursuing full licensure, making it an appealing starting point for new educators or career changers. Here’s what the process looks like in 2025:
Meet Minimum Education Requirements
To become a substitute teacher in Georgia, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED. However, most school districts prefer or require a bachelor’s degree, especially for long-term substitute positions.
Applicants with a college degree—especially in education, child development, or a related field—may receive priority consideration.
Complete a Background Check
All substitute teachers in Georgia must undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting. This is done through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You’ll need to schedule fingerprinting through your local school district or an approved agency.
A clear background check is required before you can be hired or added to a district’s substitute teacher pool.
Complete Substitute Teacher Training (if required)
Some Georgia school districts require substitute teachers to complete a training program before starting work. These trainings often include:
- Classroom management strategies
- Instructional support techniques
- School safety procedures
- Professional expectations and ethics
Training may be offered in-person or online and typically lasts one to two days. Districts such as Fulton County Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools provide their own onboarding or orientation sessions.
Register with a School District or Agency
Once you’ve met the minimum requirements and passed your background check, you’ll need to apply directly to school districts where you want to work. Each district manages its own pool of substitute teachers, so you may need to apply to multiple districts to expand your opportunities.
Some districts also contract with third-party staffing agencies like ESS (Education Solutions Services) or Kelly Educational Staffing, which handle the hiring and scheduling process for substitutes.
Optional: Apply for a Georgia Teaching Certificate
While you do not need a teaching certificate to be a substitute teacher in Georgia, some positions—especially long-term substitute roles—may require one or give preference to certified educators.
If you plan to pursue full-time teaching in the future, becoming a certified teacher through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) may be a beneficial next step.
Substitute Teacher Skills
Successful substitute teachers bring a specific set of soft skills and professional traits to the classroom. Key skills include:
- Adaptability – You’ll be stepping into different classrooms with varying needs, grade levels, and lesson plans.
- Classroom Management – The ability to keep students engaged, on task, and respectful is essential.
- Communication – Clear communication with students, staff, and administrators is important for smooth classroom operations.
- Patience and Confidence – Working with different student personalities requires a calm and assertive presence.
- Professionalism – Arriving on time, dressing appropriately, and following school rules reflect positively on you as a trusted educator.
Salary Expectations & Job Outlook in 2025
In Georgia, substitute teachers are typically paid daily rates, not annual salaries. As of 2025:
- Short-term substitute pay averages between $90 and $120 per day, depending on the district.
- Long-term substitute roles (which require consistent coverage over several weeks or months) often pay more—$130 to $200 per day, especially if the substitute has a teaching license.
- Districts like Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County, and Cobb County may offer additional incentives or higher rates due to staffing needs.
Job prospects for substitute teachers are strong. With ongoing teacher shortages and increased absences due to health and personal leave, schools across Georgia continue to experience high demand for reliable substitutes. Flexibility, availability, and good performance can lead to consistent work—and in some cases, full-time job offers.
Degree and Certification Options
While not required, having a degree in education, English, mathematics, science, or another core subject can improve your chances of securing more consistent substitute teaching assignments. It can also pave the way for transitioning into full-time teaching roles.
You might also consider:
- Paraprofessional certification, if interested in supporting special education classrooms
- Teacher preparation programs, if you want to become a licensed educator in the future
- Alternative certification pathways, such as Georgia’s GaTAPP program, designed for career changers entering the classroom
Certification Requirements
To clarify, certification is not required for day-to-day substitute teaching in Georgia. However, if you’re looking to take on long-term substitute assignments, certification may be required or preferred. Here are common certification options:
- Short-Term Substitute – No certification required; must meet district-level hiring standards.
- Long-Term Substitute – May require a valid Georgia teaching certificate or provisional credentials.
- Full-Time Teacher Path – Requires a bachelor’s degree, completion of a GaPSC-approved educator prep program, passing the GACE exam, and applying through GaPSC.
Testing Requirements for Substitute Teachers in Georgia
One of the benefits of becoming a substitute teacher in Georgia is that no formal standardized testing is required for most short-term substitute positions. Unlike full-time certified teaching roles, substitute teachers are generally not required to take the GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) or other licensure exams to begin working in the classroom.
However, there are a few important distinctions to keep in mind:
Short-Term Substitutes (Most Common)
- No testing required beyond a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree, depending on district preferences.
- Must pass a criminal background check and meet district-level hiring criteria.
- Districts may require completion of local orientation or training modules, but these are not standardized exams.
Long-Term Substitutes
- If you’re taking over a classroom for an extended period—typically more than 10–20 consecutive days—you may be expected to:
– Hold a valid Georgia teaching certificate, OR
– Be enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program, OR
– Pass GACE exams in the relevant subject area (in some districts).
The specific testing requirements for long-term substitute roles vary by district policy and the nature of the assignment (e.g., special education, core academic subjects, etc.). Some school districts may allow non-certified substitutes to serve in long-term positions if they demonstrate strong classroom performance and agree to pursue certification.
If you plan to use substitute teaching as a stepping stone to a full-time teaching career, it’s recommended that you become familiar with the GACE exam requirements for your desired certification area and begin preparing for those assessments.
If you’re using substitute teaching as a stepping stone into a full-time education career, it’s a good idea to review Georgia’s certification pathways in advance.
Start Your Career in Education Today
Becoming a substitute teacher in Georgia is a rewarding and flexible way to enter the education field. Whether you’re exploring teaching as a new career, re-entering the workforce, or seeking meaningful part-time work, substitute teaching offers valuable experience and the chance to make a real impact on students.
With high demand across the state and relatively low barriers to entry, now is a great time to apply and start your journey as a substitute teacher in Georgia.
