Do Substitute Teachers Get Benefits? A Comparison with Certified Synchronous Instructors

Many job-seeking educators ask this question before accepting an assignment: Do substitute teachers get benefits? The answer isn’t always clear and often depends on things like hours worked, employment status, and the district’s policies. Some substitute teachers receive limited access to health insurance or retirement plans, while others are left navigating inconsistent schedules with no benefits package at all.

With 90% of public schools having difficulty finding full-time teachers in the 2023-24 school year, school districts are relying more heavily on substitute teachers and synchronous instructors to fill critical roles. But the gap between what substitute teachers receive and what certified, full-time educators are offered can be quite wide. 

As more districts explore synchronous staffing models to address teacher shortages, it’s time to take a closer look at how these roles compare, especially when it comes to benefits, stability, and instructional support.

A Comparison of Substitute Teachers vs. Certified Synchronous Instructors

School districts are getting creative in how they staff classrooms, especially as full-time vacancies stretch across the school year. But not all instructional roles are created equal. One of the most notable comparisons? Substitute teachers versus certified synchronous instructors.

Substitute Teachers

School districts hire substitute teachers on a short-term or as-needed basis to fill in when a regular teacher is absent. These roles may last a single day shift or extend into long-term substitutes when absences span several weeks or months. While some full-time substitute teachers may stay with one school all year, many substitute teachers rotate between different campuses depending on availability.

Certified Synchronous Instructors

Certified synchronous instructors provide live, virtual instruction to school districts using livestream platforms and Learning Management Systems (LMS). They are licensed teachers who lead real-time classes, follow the school’s bell schedule, and often collaborate with onsite staff. These educators are contracted professionals who function much like full-time teachers, just remotely.

Unlike most substitute roles, certified synchronous instructors are hired with:

• W2 employment status
• Access to schedule-building tools post-training
• Ongoing responsibilities

This means they are often eligible for a broader benefits package. Their long-term teaching position within a district provides the kind of professional consistency that substitute teachers typically lack, making them a more sustainable and supportive solution to the teacher shortage.

‍

Typical Benefits for Substitute Teachers and Certified Synchronous Instructors

While both roles serve critical needs in today’s chronically understaffed education system, the benefits offered to each vary widely—often tied to their employment status and how school districts use them. Understanding these distinctions can help district leaders, job seekers, and policymakers make informed decisions about staffing models that support both teachers and students.

Substitute Teachers

Substitute teachers—especially those working day by day or part-time—often receive limited or no benefits due to the nature of their role. However, some full-time substitute teachers or long-term substitutes may access a small selection of supports:

• Health benefits
• Retirement plans
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement and referral incentives in certain districts or states
• Their professional association agreement (PAA) with the school district outlining details on contract renewal, work expectations, compensation, and benefits (these vary by state)

In most cases, these benefits are limited and based heavily on hours worked, calendar month totals, and the assignment length. Because substitute teachers are usually seen as temporary or flexible employees, their benefits package isn’t equivalent to what a full-time staff member receives, even when the work spans much of the school year. For example, because they’re usually paid only for the hours they work.

Certified Synchronous Instructors

Certified synchronous instructors are typically contracted for consistent teaching schedules and long-term classroom coverage, even if teaching virtually from a remote location. As such, they’re often treated more like standard full-time teachers and receive comprehensive employment benefits, including:

• Health insurance coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Access to paid time off, including sick leave and vacation days
• Ongoing professional development and mentoring programs
• Opportunities to teach specialized programs, such as special education case management or CTE courses, with additional support
• More predictable hours, schedules, and compensation structures

These educators’ ability to deliver consistent, high-quality instruction across districts is why they get better benefits, and highlights why many school districts are turning to synchronous staffing as a more sustainable alternative to piecing together substitute coverage.

Go Beyond the Substitute Model and Staff Smarter with Proximity Learning

As school districts nationwide continue navigating persistent staffing gaps, it’s clear that not all teaching roles offer the same value, especially when it comes to stability, benefits, and consistency. While substitute teachers offer short-term solutions, they often work without the protections and benefits packages that full-time educators need to thrive. Certified synchronous instructors, on the other hand, bring structure, qualifications, and a more complete solution for schools and students alike.

That’s where Proximity Learning steps in. With more than 3,000 classrooms staffed and 400+ district partnerships worldwide, we’ve built a model that empowers schools to offer live, certified instruction without sacrificing flexibility or quality. Our certified virtual instructors are qualified, supported, and ready to lead, helping school districts fill teacher vacancies, retain talent, improve student outcomes, and reduce burnout.

Ready to enjoy real benefits—for both students and staff? Contact Proximity Learning today to see how we can transform your staffing strategy.