Good segue into education with ample room for improvement - Substitute Teacher Kokua Employee Review

2.0
Feb 14, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Kokua allows you to accept or decline assignments, as well as choose from long-term or short assignments. This, in turn, makes it a great option if you're either switching careers, returning to education after some time away or testing the waters to assess your preferences before diving into a more permanent role. The position allows for some autonomy, given that you choose your assignments. So long as you show up and perform what is expected of you from school leadership, the Kokua team is mostly on standby, yet does not, for the most part, micromanage.

Cons

Kokua Education implements a 3-day minimum, which isn't all bad since it can serve as a bit of a motivator to keep your momentum going. However, this means having to either select to be on-call to meet said requirement, which results in a last-minute morning call with an assignment that may not be of your liking or choosing—and, even so, this is an assignment you CANNOT decline or you will get an email warning as an "unexcused absence. Furthermore, even if you are not technically "on call," so long as your day is not specifically marked as "unavailable," then it is possible to get a call demanding you cover an assignment that may not be your preference at all, as it pertains to grade, subject and location. If you decline, that's another email warning. Assignments must be cancelled with 48 hours of anticipation, which is 1) not always reasonable, given that unforeseeable circumstances arise as can a cold and 2) you may be cancelling due to inadequate support from leadership, especially as it pertains to ICT (general and special ed classrooms) that are either ill supported or entirely understaffed...yet you are oblivious to this prior to accepting the assignment. If you decline an on-call assignment, do not pick up the phone while marked as "available" or cancel an assignment, that's an email warning. Something like 4 warnings and you are fired. Don't expect any sort of actual guidance or helpful feedback from the Kokua team; they seem to mostly care about having a certain number of employees on deck vs. assessing the feedback provided and needs conveyed. Lastly, there aren't usually many assignments and those that do tend to pop up often do so in Brooklyn. There are no benefits, but you do get a W2. The sub role with Kokua is mostly a trampoline, an opportunity for you to dabble in education and possibly make the ideal connections to land something steady.

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Kokua Response
3y
Thank you so much for your review and feedback. We really value your perspective, and are always looking for ways to better support our guest teachers while still providing the help our schools need with the current teacher shortage. Please continue to share your feedback with your Operations team directly, and know that they are there to support you if you have any challenges or unexpected situations that may arise (sickness, emergencies, etc.). We of course want our teachers to prioritize their health or personal emergencies, and adjust our requirements as long as we're able to communicate with you. Thank you for all your hard work - we're grateful to have you leading your classrooms!

Explore other reviews about Kokua

5.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible scheduling and the ability to be on call for a specific area if needed. Supportive administration. Easy to reach who you need for questions and in case of a need to cancel a shift.

Cons

Sometimes there is a lapse in work but that is not Kokua's fault. Sometimes there is a lot of work but it is too far to drive depending on where you live.

4.0
Jul 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

great and solid work life/balance

Cons

Very difficult management and can be very noisy

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