The "Sub"stitution for a Real Career - Substitute Teacher ESS Employee Review

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.

Explore other reviews about ESS

5.0
Jul 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexibility, work-life balance are good, weekly pay, supportive environment

Cons

lack of HR support, low pay, bait and switch assignments

3.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most of the teachers and other staff members with whom I am working are friendly and respectful to me, and ESS also seems to genuinely care about its employees. The application and hiring process is also very easy. I also normally take openings on a day-by-day basis, so if I don't need the money, I don't need to go to work on most days on which I really don't want to.

Cons

The salary is low, and in the state and school district I work in, it is only about minimum wage. Substitute teachers might make more, though, as might people working in other districts. As openings can be put into the system at any time before the school day, including the previous afternoon or earlier, I usually wake up early so I can check the openings that day. There aren't always openings, so work is essentially not available on some days. It is available on most days on which I check diligently in the morning, but having to get up early and check that is annoying. ESS also didn't really give us enough training for our jobs in my opinion. This made the hiring process easy, but I felt very unprepared at first. On many days, the teacher or other paraprofessionals did most of the work and did not delegate much to me, which I guess some people might consider a good thing. But I think that it might be because they thought that I was unprepared.

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