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How a substitute teacher (short-term) can use AI, task by task

O*NET 25-3031.00: Substitute Teachers, Short-TermMedian pay $41,670/year (BLS, May 2025)18 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Building Sub (Building Substitute), Building Sub Teacher (Building Substitute Teacher), Child Development Sub Teacher (Child Development Substitute Teacher), ESL Sub (English as a Second Language Substitute), HS Sub Teacher (High School Substitute Teacher), Pre-School Sub Teacher (Pre-School Substitute Teacher), Short-Term Sub Teacher (Short-Term Substitute Teacher), Sub (Substitute), Sub Teacher (Substitute Teacher).

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 8%AI-assist 51%Stays human 41%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 1 AI-ready, 10 AI-assist and 7 human-led tasks out of 18. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Answer students' questions.Train & teach · Several times a day
  2. Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.Write it up · Daily
  3. Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.Train & teach · Daily

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.Lead people · Several times a day
  2. Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.Hands-on work · Daily
  3. Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.Hands-on work · Daily

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 1

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to take class attendance and maintain attendance records.

Records: [grades, attendance, reports]
Rules: [privacy]

Draft templates or entries without names. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Student records

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you take class attendance (today).
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain student records..

AI can help you prep these 10

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Answer students' questions.

Several times a day

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 22% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to answer students' questions.

Context: We use Moodle and Schoology; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Subject: [topic]
Learners: [describe]

Plan a session with objectives, activities and a check for understanding. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Class session plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you answer students' questions. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Subject] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Teach classes in area of specialization..

Follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.

Daily

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to follow lesson plans designed by absent teachers.

Context: We use Moodle and Schoology; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Subject: [topic]
Learners: [describe]

Plan a session with objectives, activities and a check for understanding. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Class session plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you follow lesson plans (today).
Step 2Fill in [Subject] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Teach classes in area of specialization..

Teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.

Daily

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to teach social skills to students, such as communication, conflict resolution, and etiquette.

Context: We use Moodle and Schoology; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Skill: [communication, conflict resolution, etiquette]
Learners: [age group]

Plan a lesson with role-plays and reinforcement. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Teach social or daily skills

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you teach social skills (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Skill] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Reinforce the skill during the day, not just in the lesson.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Teach daily living skills or behaviors.. Also involves: Teach life skills..

Teach a variety of subjects, such as English, mathematics, and social studies.

Daily

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 43% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to teach a variety of subjects, such as English, mathematics, and social studies.

Context: We use Moodle and Schoology; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Subject: [topic]
Learners: [describe]

Plan a session with objectives, activities and a check for understanding. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Class session plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you teach a variety of subjects (today).
Step 2Fill in [Subject] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Teach classes in area of specialization..

Operate equipment such as computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.

Weekly

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to operate equipment such as computers or audio-visual aids to supplement presentations.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel.
Equipment: [lab robot, AV, system]
Task: [describe]

Write a step-by-step operating guide and troubleshooting tips. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Computerized equipment workflow

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you operate equipment (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Task] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Follow the guide on your next run and fix any wrong step.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate computers or computerized equipment.. Also involves: Operate audiovisual equipment..

Tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 26% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to tutor or assist students individually or in small groups.

Context: We use Moodle and Schoology; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Student need: [topic, exam, performance]
Time: [minutes]

Plan a diagnostic question, targeted practice and a confidence check. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Tutoring session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you tutor or assist students individually (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Student need] and [Time] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3End with one thing the student can do on their own.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Tutor students who need extra assistance..

Organize and supervise games or other recreational activities.

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to organize and supervise games or other recreational activities.

Context: We use Google Classroom and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Activity: [performance group, events]
Students: [describe]

Plan schedule and communication. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Extracurricular plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you organize and supervise games or other recreational activities (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Activity] and [Students] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Coordinate student extracurricular activities..

Grade students' assignments and exams.

Monthly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 51% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to grade students' assignments and exams.

Context: We use Moodle and Schoology; the work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Assignment: [paste the prompt and rubric]
Sample work: [paste one anonymized submission]

Apply the rubric to the sample with reasons for each score and draft feedback. Then suggest a comment bank for common issues.

10-minute exercise: Grade faster and fairer

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you grade students' assignments and exams. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Paste the [Assignment] rubric and one anonymized piece into [Sample work].
Step 3Compare its scores with yours. Keep the comment bank, keep the grading yours.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Evaluate student work..

Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence.

A few times a year

AI explains and quizzes you; confirm against official sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI can explain new developments and quiz you. Confirm what you learn against official sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Event: [training, conference, professional meeting]
What I want from it: [skills, contacts, answers]

Prepare a primer on the main topics, 5 questions to ask, and a one-page template for notes and actions.

10-minute exercise: Make a meeting or training count

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you attend professional meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops.
Step 2Fill in [Event] and [What I want from it] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Turn one action into something you do the following week.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge..

Restock teaching materials or supplies.

Monthly

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to restock teaching materials or supplies.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel.
Materials: [parts, supplies]
Data: [paste counts]

Organize inventory with reorder flags. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Materials inventory

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you restock teaching materials or supplies.
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products..

These stay human 7

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Contact with others: constant contact with others · Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Responsible for others' health and safety: high responsibility

Enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.

Several times a day

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to enforce school and class rules to maintain order in the classroom.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Rule or situation: [behaviour issue, no names]
Policy: [school rule]

Give me calm wording to address it, steps if it continues, and how to stay consistent.

10-minute exercise: Consistent rule enforcement

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you enforce school and class rules.
Step 2Fill in [Rule or situation] and [Policy] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Use it next time and reflect on how it went.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Enforce rules or policies governing student behavior..

Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Materials: [classroom, library]
Recipients: [describe]

Make a distribution and tracking routine. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Materials distribution

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you distribute teaching materials (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Recipients] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Distribute instructional or library materials..

Distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to distribute or collect tests or homework assignments.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Materials: [classroom, library]
Recipients: [describe]

Make a distribution and tracking routine. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Materials distribution

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you distribute or collect tests or homework assignments (today).
Step 2Fill in [Materials] and [Recipients] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Distribute instructional or library materials..

Supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to supervise students during activities outside the classroom, such as recess, lunch, and field trips.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Activity: [recess, events, transport, clubs]
Risks: [safety, behaviour]

Make a supervision plan: positions, rules, what to watch, and responses. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Supervising activities plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you supervise students (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Activity] and [Risks] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise school or student activities..

Counsel students with adjustment or academic problems.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to counsel students with adjustment or academic problems.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Who: [student, mentee; no names]
Topic: [courses, career, research]

Prepare questions to understand their goals, options to discuss, and next steps. Then play the student.

10-minute exercise: Advising session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you counsel students (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Who] and [Topic] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3End with one concrete next step they own.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise students on academic or career matters..

Assist students with boarding or exiting school buses.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to assist students with boarding or exiting school buses.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Activity: [recess, events, transport, clubs]
Risks: [safety, behaviour]

Make a supervision plan: positions, rules, what to watch, and responses. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Supervising activities plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you assist students (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Activity] and [Risks] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Supervise school or student activities.. Also involves: Assist patrons with entering or exiting vehicles or other forms of transportation..

Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

Monthly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, education and training and customer and personal service.
Needs: [general description]
Supports: [devices, accommodations]

List supports and how to use them in class. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Supporting students with special needs

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide students. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Needs] and [Supports] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Assist students with special educational needs..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Monitoring and Controlling Resources
  • Persuasionimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.4/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others
  • Active Listeningimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others
  • Monitoringimportance 3.4/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 1 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Provide teachers with notes summarizing the day's activities and feedback on any issues or events that occurred.

New in O*NET

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a substitute teacher (short-term). Part of my job is to provide teachers with notes summarizing the day's activities and feedback on any issues or events that occurred.

Here's what I have for the teachers: [rough notes, the facts, figures and decisions behind it]

Write a clear first draft that I can check and finish. Keep it [one page / short / formal]. Use headings if they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Draft the teachers

Step 1Pull up the last teachers you did, or jot 5 rough bullets for the next one.
Step 2Paste the prompt and put those bullets in [rough notes]. Pick the length in [one page / short / formal].
Step 3Fix every [CHECK] against your source and anything else that's wrong, then compare the time with writing the teachers from scratch.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

New O*NET task (08/2025). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (40% of workers)

  • High school or less 10%
  • Certificate or some college 11%
  • Associate's 35%
  • Bachelor's 40%
  • Graduate degree 5%
  • On-the-job training: none or a short demo
  • Related experience: 6–12 months

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Outlook