Sioux Falls Schools Open August 27 And Still Need Substitute Teachers

It's that time of year again: backpacks are coming out of the closets, school supplies are taking over the kitchen table, and Sioux Falls families are scrambling to get everything in order before the first bell rings later this week.

For thousands of Sioux Falls-area students, summer vacation officially comes to a close this Wednesday, as classes get underway for the 2026 school year in the Sioux Falls Public School District on Thursday, August 27.

While most of the district's full-time teaching positions have already been filled, there is still a pretty big need for another important group of people: substitute teachers.

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And here's something you might not know, if you've ever thought about becoming a substitute teacher: You don't necessarily need to be a career educator to do it.

According to Dakota News Now, the Sioux Falls School District typically has around 750 substitute teachers working throughout the school year. On an average day, between 300 and 400 substitutes may be called into classrooms across the district, depending on how many teachers are required.

That's a lot of substitute teachers, and a lot of classrooms that need dependable people willing to step in.

Rebecca Dorman, the district's senior director of human resources, told Dakota News Now that substitute teaching can offer an unusual amount of flexibility.

"Substitute teaching is like the ultimate job flexibility. We have some substitutes that maybe just work a couple of days a month, just whenever they want to work."

That type of flexibility could make substitute teaching appealing to retirees, parents, college students, people with flexible work schedules, or anyone looking for a way to earn some extra money while staying connected to the Sioux Falls community.

Most substitutes fill in when a regular teacher is absent. But occasionally, substitutes are also needed to oversee classrooms while the district works to fill a full-time teaching position.

Here's probably the biggest surprise for some people: you don't necessarily need a traditional teaching background to become a substitute teacher.

And if you have a child attending a Sioux Falls school, there are other ways to get involved, too.

Dorman suggested parents talk with their child's school principal about available opportunities.

Of course, working around students comes with responsibilities. Anyone interested in becoming a substitute teacher will need to complete a criminal background check before being allowed to work with students.

As the school year gets rolling in Sioux Falls, the district will continue looking for reliable substitute candidates to help keep classrooms staffed.

So, if you've ever thought about subbing, this might be a perfect opportunity to find out if that type of position is right for you. Get more info and apply here.

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Just remember, you may be the teacher for the day, but there's a pretty good chance the students will still try to convince you they don't have homework.