Substitute Teacher Jobs in Pennsylvania
Substitute teacher jobs in Pennsylvania concentrate heavily in K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and intermediate units, with demand at every level from day-to-day coverage to long-term assignments. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown are the state's largest hiring markets, where districts like the School District of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Bethlehem Area School District regularly recruit substitutes. Special education coverage and STEM subject support are among the most sought-after specialties statewide. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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SUBSTITUTE CLASSROOM TEACHER
Bedford Fulton Head Start
OCCASIONAL/ FLEXIBLE PAID AT $140 PER DAY
MONDAY-FRIDAY SCHEDULE
The Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Bedford and Fulton counties work in partnership with families to build children’s and parents’ strength, promote self-esteem, and encourage self-sufficiency and lifelong learning. This position will plan, organize, develop and implement a program planning to include individualized activities for each child and family in the home/classroom to ensure that the highest quality services are provided.
Responsibilities:
- Maintains accurate records of home visits and family contacts, services to children, food data, etc., as per procedure. Provides services to assigned families with preschool children.
- Maintains good relationships with community agencies and the public to encourage community support and understanding of Head Start and its mission.
- Maintains inventory and supplies used for home visits/classroom according to program procedures.
- Monitors and maintains in good repair materials and equipment used during home visits and in the classroom according to program policies and procedures.
- Assists with recruitment as requested including publicity, taking applications, including obtaining and documenting accurate income information, providing families with appropriate information, screening and the screening selection process, etc.
- Ensures that activities, material, etc., are appropriate to the developmental capabilities of each child.
- Plans an individualized developmental program for each child that reflects goals and objectives agreed upon by the family. Utilizes educational assessments and observations to track child progress.
- Participates in team meetings and shares relevant information as appropriate.
- Greets each child and parent in a warm, friendly manner as they arrive at the center or in the home.
- Makes provisions for all children with disabilities so that their special needs are met and their well-being is assured.
- Utilizes Creative Curriculum and other program resources, ensuring involvement of family members in planning, facilitating, and assessing.
- Establishes and maintains an atmosphere that is positive and comfortable for each family, and that facilitates growth and competency, both as individuals and as a family unit.
- Completes family profile and develop a plan with the families to address identified goals. Works jointly with the family to identify the strengths and needs of each parent and child, assisting parents to understand the importance of what their role is in their children’s learning and development.
- Uses appropriate techniques, such as modeling, positive reinforcement, direct instruction, and feedback to facilitate positive growth in the parents and children.
- Encourages parents to assume an active role in the home visits by modeling and training and then gradually increasing responsibilities in the assessing, planning and implementation of the educational process.
- Assists parents to develop realistic expectations of their children and provides activities appropriate for their age and developmental level.
- Helps parents to use home materials and activities as positive learning opportunities for their children.
- Assists parents to interact with their children in ways which facilitate the development of communication, listening, comprehension, and problem solving skills, as well as mutual trust and esteem.
- Encourages parents to participate in program activities and trainings for parents.
- Assists parents in developing clear limit setting techniques such as: positive reinforcement, redirection, problem solving, etc.
- Offers parents information about community health, human services, and other resources to meet identified goals.
- Assists families to obtain any necessary social services.
- Guides parents in utilizing their own knowledge, experience, skills and resources to identify their own goals for attaining or strengthening self-sufficiency.
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Involves parents in the program encouraging a partnership approach by:
- Involving parents in planning, implementing and assessing curriculum
- Involving parents in planning volunteer activities in the classroom.
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Assists parents in the role as their child’s teacher by instructing, modeling, guiding and encouraging parents to:
- Provides a learning environment for children that invites exploration, emphasizes communication and problem solving, stimulates curiosity and the development of new ideas, and maximizes success.
- Provides a variety of appropriate equipment, activities and opportunities to promote the physical development of the children.
- Provides activities and experiences that develop questioning, probing and problem solving appropriate to the developmental levels and learning styles of children.
- Provides opportunities for children to understand, acquire and use verbal and non-verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
- Provides experiences that stimulate children to explore and express their creative abilities.
- Helps each child to know, accept, and take pride in himself, and to develop a sense of independence.
- Helps children learn to get along with others and encourage feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults.
- Provides an environment in which children can learn and practice behaviors which are appropriate and acceptable individually and in a group.
- Provides a learning environment for children that invites exploration, emphasizes communication and problem solving, stimulates curiosity and the development of new ideas, and maximizes success.
- Provides a variety of appropriate equipment, activities and opportunities to promote the physical development of the children.
- Provides activities and experiences that develop questioning, probing and problem solving appropriate to the developmental levels and learning styles of children.
- Provides opportunities for children to understand, acquire and use verbal and non-verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
- Provides experiences that stimulate children to explore and express their creative abilities.
- Helps each child to know, accept, and take pride in himself, and to develop a sense of independence.
- Helps children learn to get along with others and encourage feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults.
- Provides an environment in which children can learn and practice behaviors which are appropriate and acceptable individually and in a group.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of an Associate’s degree (Bachelor’s or advanced degree preferred) in early childhood education or related degree with six classes, 2-3 credits each, in child development or early childhood education.
- Experience working with young children.
- Must have valid PA. Driver’s license. Act 31 and 34/151 and FBI clearances required.
Head Start Offers:
- Monday to Friday hours with limited evening or weekend work and holidays off
- Competitive salary
- Excellent low cost benefits
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Discounts on child day care
- Tuition reimbursement
ALL POSITIONS REQUIRE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE, ACT 31, 34/151 AND FBI CLEARANCES. An ALSM application, a resume, and transcripts should be sent to:
Children’s Services Office of Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries
231 S. Juliana Street
Bedford, PA 15522
EOE
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Substitute Teacher Job Market in Pennsylvania
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What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substitute teacher jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Holds a valid Pennsylvania Substitute Certificate or Emergency Permit issued by PDE
- Completed at least 60 college credits from an accredited institution
- Passed required background checks including FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, and child abuse clearances
- Demonstrates ability to manage a classroom and follow lesson plans independently
- Holds a high school diploma or equivalent with prior classroom or youth experience
- Comfortable working across multiple grade levels and subject areas within a district
Substitute Teacher Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substitute teacher in Pennsylvania?
You must obtain a Pennsylvania Substitute Certificate or Emergency Permit through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Applicants need at least 60 college credits from an accredited institution, though a bachelor's degree strengthens competitiveness. You also must complete three clearances: an FBI fingerprint check, a Pennsylvania State Police criminal history report, and a Pennsylvania child abuse history certification. Applications are submitted through the PDE's online educator certification portal, and individual districts complete the hiring process once credentials are verified.
Which companies hire substitute teachers in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring substitute teachers in Pennsylvania right now include Empire Beauty School, Tender Years, and West Chester Area School District, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Pennsylvania's large urban districts and regional intermediate units are among the most consistent sources of openings, particularly in Philadelphia, Allegheny, and Lehigh counties.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most substitute teacher jobs?
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and State College consistently post the highest volume of substitute teacher openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia leads because of the sheer size of its public school district and the density of charter and private schools in the region, while Pittsburgh's openings reflect Allegheny County's numerous suburban districts and Allentown's growth is tied to rapid enrollment increases in the Lehigh Valley.
Are there remote substitute teacher jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of substitute teacher openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which reflects the fundamentally in-person nature of classroom instruction. The small share of remote roles tends to involve virtual charter schools and online tutoring programs, where synchronous instruction happens over video platforms rather than in a physical building.
How can I get hired as a substitute teacher in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to a district that accepts candidates with 60 college credits rather than a completed degree, since many Pennsylvania districts use this lower threshold for day-to-day substitute positions. Paraprofessional and instructional aide roles at districts like Pittsburgh Public Schools or the School District of Philadelphia are strong lateral entry points that build classroom experience quickly. Completing all three Pennsylvania clearances before applying signals readiness and removes a common hiring delay for first-time candidates.
Where can I find and apply to substitute teacher jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to substitute teacher jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from districts and schools across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your location, grade level preference, or subject area, then apply directly to the ones that fit your background.
See All 93 Substitute Teacher Jobs in Pennsylvania
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