Elementary Substitute Teacher

Heritage Oak Private Education; Mission Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Stratford School in Mission Viejo, CA is seeking enthusiastic Elementary Substitute Teachers to maintain continuity in the classroom when teachers are absent. You will step into established learning environments, engaging students in meaningful activities and helping ensure productive, structured days.

This role requires a bachelor’s degree and favors prior elementary classroom experience. You will adapt to different grade levels, implement prepared plans, and collaborate with staff to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Strong classroom management skills to maintain order and learning.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with students, families, teachers, and leadership.
• Flexibility and creativity in adapting to different classroom environments, teaching styles, and student needs.
• Reliability, punctuality, and responsibility for supervision and continuity of learning.

Responsibilities

• Maintain instructional continuity by stepping into the classroom when the regular teacher is absent.
• Engage students with teacher-prepared lessons, activities, and assignments.
• Create a positive, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for elementary students.
• Support student learning across various subjects and grade levels as required.
• Communicate relevant classroom updates and student concerns to the team as appropriate.

Skills

Classroom management

Communication

Flexibility

Reliability/Punctuality

Lesson plan follow-through

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Stratford School, part of Spring Education Group, is a leading independent WASC-accredited private school in California offering courses from preschool through 12th grade with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional educational foundation for children. At Stratford School, we understand every child has his or her own interests and passions and contributes in their own way. Our proven program includes our STEAM-based curriculum that was recognized by the White House as a leader in early childhood STEAM education, and we are also the first California school to earn the Carnegie Science Seal of Excellence for STEM.

What We Offer

Pay Range: $25.00-$28.00

Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Career Growth Opportunities: An opportunity to grow your experience in the classroom and explore future opportunities to transition into a full-time teaching role with Stratford School.

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ learning and development.
• A collaborative school environment where educators work together to support student success.
• Exposure to a variety of grade levels, teaching styles, and classroom experiences.
• A rewarding role that allows you to share your passion for education while providing flexible substitute teaching opportunities.

About the Role

Stratford School is seeking enthusiastic, dependable, and adaptable Elementary Substitute Teachers who enjoy creating positive learning experiences and helping students reach their full potential.

As an Elementary Substitute Teacher, you will play an important role in maintaining continuity in the classroom when a teacher is absent. You will step into an established learning environment, engage students in meaningful educational activities, and help ensure that each school day remains productive, structured, and enjoyable.

This is an opportunity to work with students across elementary grade levels, support a variety of subjects, and bring your own energy, creativity, and teaching approach to the classroom. Whether you are an experienced educator or looking to expand your classroom experience, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a supportive school community while helping students learn, grow, and thrive.

You Will Also…

• Bring learning to life: Implement teacher-prepared lesson plans, classroom activities, and assignments that keep students engaged and learning throughout the school day.
• Create a positive classroom environment: Establish clear expectations, maintain classroom routines, and promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning atmosphere.
• Support student success: Encourage participation, answer questions, provide guidance, and adapt your approach to meet students’ varying learning needs.
• Manage classroom activities: Supervise students during instruction, transitions, recess, lunch, and other assigned activities, following campus procedures.
• Maintain instructional continuity: Ensure students stay on task, complete assigned work, and remain focused on learning objectives during the regular teacher’s absence.
• Communicate effectively: Share relevant classroom updates, student concerns, and information about the school day with the appropriate team members.
• Demonstrate flexibility: Transition comfortably between grade levels, subjects, classroom routines, and instructional needs as campus priorities change.
• Uphold school expectations: Follow school policies, student supervision guidelines, safety procedures, and established practices for student well-being.

What We Are Looking For

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Prior classroom teaching or instructional experience in an elementary school setting preferred.
• A genuine interest in working with elementary-aged students and supporting their academic, social, and emotional development.
• Strong classroom management skills, including the ability to establish expectations, maintain structure, and engage students productively.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with students, families, teachers, and school leadership as appropriate.
• Flexibility and creativity in responding to different classroom environments, teaching styles, and student needs.
• Reliability, punctuality, and a strong sense of responsibility for student supervision and classroom continuity.
• The ability to follow lesson plans, provide clear instructions, and keep students engaged in learning.
• A positive, patient, and proactive approach to problem-solving.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In general, this position requires an individual to frequently walk, stand, sit, squat, stoop, reach, kneel, rise from the floor, twist, listen, read, write, and speak the English language. In addition, this position often requires an individual to carry, lift, use repetitive or fine hand movements, and occasionally push, pull, or bend. This position is regularly required to hear and use clear vision with or without correction.

Spring Education Group, including, but not limited to SEG Inc., and their affiliates (collectively “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants for employment and employees are provided equal employment opportunities, including in recruitment, hiring, and assignment, without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion and religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or familial status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. The Company expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee or student harassment or discrimination.