What is the main occupation of the character played by Bea Arthur in "The Golden Girls"?

The main occupation of Bea Arthur’s character in "The Golden Girls" is substitute teacher.

Arthur played Dorothy Zbornak, a sharp-witted Brooklyn native who shares a Miami home with her mother Sophia and friends Blanche and Rose. Dorothy’s career as a teacher is part of her practical, no-nonsense personality and often helps explain her knowledge, discipline, and dry observations.

Dorothy is not simply described as a teacher in the show’s background: she is specifically identified as a substitute teacher. Her work also connects her to the series’ broader theme of women rebuilding independent lives after major personal changes. Before moving in with Blanche, Dorothy had been married to Stan Zbornak, whose unexpected visits became a recurring source of comedy.

A common mix-up is confusing Dorothy’s occupation with those of the other roommates. Blanche is associated with office work, while Rose previously worked at a farm and later holds various jobs. Dorothy’s mother, Sophia, is retired. Arthur’s performance made Dorothy one of television’s most recognizable teachers, even though the show focused far more on friendship, family, and aging than on her classroom career.