About This Role
This day-to-day substitute teacher role at William C. Abney Academy involves leading classrooms when regular teachers are absent. The position requires following lesson plans, maintaining a safe and positive classroom environment, and upholding school routines for students from Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Responsibilities
- Report to the main office at the assigned start time, sign in, and pick up the sub folder, schedule, and keys or badge
- Review the teacher's lesson plans, seating chart, class roster, and any student health or behavior notes before students arrive
- Deliver lessons and assignments as written by the classroom teacher; use school-approved materials and technology
- Take accurate attendance in the school's system at the times required
- Maintain a safe, orderly, and respectful classroom using WCAA's behavior expectations and positive reinforcement
- Supervise students at all times, including transitions, lunch, recess, arrival, and dismissal duties as assigned
- Follow each student's accommodation, IEP/504 support, and medical or allergy instructions as communicated by staff
- Follow all safety, emergency, and drill procedures (fire, lockdown, severe weather)
- Report injuries, serious behavior incidents, or safety concerns to the office right away
- Serve as a mandated reporter: report any suspected child abuse or neglect as required by Michigan law
- Keep student information confidential in line with FERPA and school policy
- Leave a written end-of-day report for the teacher: lessons completed, work collected, absences, and any concerns
- Leave the classroom clean and organized; return keys, badge, and materials to the office before leaving
- Cover other assignments as needed by administration (e.g., a different classroom, small groups, or a planning-period cover)
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Requirements
- A valid Michigan teaching certificate, or at least 60 semester hours of college credit (grade C or better) from an accredited college or university, qualifying for a Michigan Daily Substitute Permit
- Michigan Daily Substitute Permit (or eligibility to obtain one before the first assignment)
- Successful completion of a criminal background check and fingerprinting, as required for Michigan school employees
- Ability to complete WCAA's onboarding (orientation, I-9, and other employment paperwork)
- Reliable transportation and a working phone or email for accepting assignments
Nice to have:
- Bachelor's degree in education or a related field
- Experience working with children in a school, after-school, camp, or childcare setting
- Experience in an urban or diverse school community
- Familiarity with classroom technology (projectors, Chromebooks, online learning platforms)
- Calm, confident classroom management and the ability to redirect behavior respectfully
- Flexibility to step into different grade levels and subjects, often with little notice
- Clear verbal and written communication with students, staff, and families
- Punctuality, reliability, professional appearance, and conduct
- Good judgment in following lesson plans while adjusting when a lesson finishes early or materials are missing
- Warmth, patience, and genuine respect for students from all backgrounds
- Ability to follow directions and work as part of a school team
Important Details
- Job type: Part-time, on-call, as needed
- Grades: Developmental Kindergarten (DK) through 8th grade
- Duration: 1 – 30 days
- Schedule: On-call, school days only. Assignments may be full-day or half-day and may be offered the night before or the morning of
- Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.
- Hiring route: Substitutes are hired directly by William C. Abney Academy
About the Company
Founded in 1998, William C. Abney Academy (WCAA) is a tuition-free public-school academy authorized by Ferris State University. Its mission is to build an innovative learning community that inspires life-long learning and supports the academic and social success of future leaders.
