Stop Blaming ESS for the Low Pay, Blame the Public Schools - Substitute Teacher ESS Employee Review

5.0
3 Jun 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Every single one of the adminstrators at ESS have treated me with kindness and respect with every conversation I have had with them. I was more than thankful for all the days ESS allowed me to call off when I developed symptoms and came down with Covid, and sometimes I only called in 30 minutes before work (you can not delete a job within so many hours of work - you have to phone the school and call off that way). I am thankful beyong all belief for their understanding. *****ESS is filling a need because public schools no longer want to employ substitutes and paraprofessinals, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. There is only so much money to go around and teachers and adminitsrators always come first with their salaries, benefits and pensions. Don't blame ESS - blame the public schools for not paying subs better. *** My pay is okay, Walmart workers get paid more but I work much less than they do. It is an easy job if the students are good and want to learn. Some classes though are full of talkers and that makes your job very difficult.

Cons

Not really anything that ESS caused itself. The pay is low - but that is what the public schools are willing to pay. Ditto benefits and pensions. If you don't like ESS or other substitute agencies go get your teaching license through an alternative route program and get a teaching job for yourslef.

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ESS Response
3y
We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to give us your review!

Explore other reviews about ESS

5.0
22 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pick your own schedule and flexible

Cons

Work less need more time making money

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ESS Response
2w
We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to give us your review!
4.0
17 Jun 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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