No - Substitute Teacher ESS Employee Review

2.0
Nov 17, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Easy to use frontline to sign up for assignments. Local management is great

Cons

Working with ESS in this school is like ground hog day. I just had this experience below and was put in touch with another sub who had the same experience and quit the same day. No substitute without formal counseling or social work training could be prepared for the issues facing in this school district. The high school is difficult, the middle school children are dangerous. If you complain about working with problematic school districts or decide not to work with the dangerous middle school they will suspend you. If you call the respective school's office too much for help (when you must call the administration for assistance as directed in our one day of training over and over) they will blame you for the problems. I was shocked. While the school administration was gracious and knows they have a problematic group of children unable to manage their behavior and struggling to educate this group of middle school children, this HR department is centralized and they have no concern for your safety, and concerns. I realized they only care about appeasing their client... the school administration. Children in 7th and 8th grade are unable to do simple multiplication or read a clock. Several kids kept asking me what time it was and I pointed out the clock was working. They actually didn't know how to read it. I am speaking specifically about this because this story is on repeat from several people who have also tried to spend time a s a substitute teacher here. If you are already working for ESS, stick to easy assignments or just try other companies. I have heard better things elsewhere and I am about to try that in the new year.

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ESS Response
6mo
Thank you for sharing your experience. We understand that some assignments can be challenging, and we take your feedback seriously. For any specific concerns about safety or school assignments, please reach out to HRHelp@ESS.com so our team can assist you directly.

Explore other reviews about ESS

5.0
Feb 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They are super understanding with scheduling, and provide a great system for clocking in and out of work!

Cons

Some of the technical aspects to set up and get certified takes a while and can be confusing

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ESS Response
3mo
We appreciate you sharing your input with us! It’s great to hear. We’re fortunate to have you as a part of our team!
4.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The corporate support and recruitment team are excellent; they are professional and highly responsive. The onboarding and training process was comprehensive and genuinely prepared me for the realities of substitute teaching. The role offers a great deal of flexibility, opportunities to engage with the local population, and a clear pipeline for those seeking long-term subbing positions or a path toward a full-time teaching career. It is an excellent environment for networking within the education sector.

Cons

The day-to-day experience is heavily dependent on the specific district and school culture, which can vary significantly. Some districts provide free lunch, others don’t. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of respect at the school level; substitute staff are sometimes treated as expendable rather than as valued members of the team. There is a lack of job security, as pre-booked assignments are frequently canceled on short notice to accommodate other preferred substitutes. Subs have to work 4 days a month and it’s hard to meet when people are constantly being dropped from jobs. Additionally, the compensation is extremely low, and the benefits package is insufficient, making it difficult to rely on this position as a primary source of income.

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