The Substitute Teacher Service Reviews

Former Employee – worked at The Substitute Teacher Service as a contractor for more than a year

Pros – I always had placements and the operators were always friendly. They were really good at remembering my preferences and placing me accordingly.

Cons – Some times placements did not come until last minute. They could have negotiated higher pay with some of the districts they worked with.

Advice to Senior Management – Find a better way to incorporate health benefits. This was a huge complicating factor for me. Also create a method for employees to "apply" for long term placements.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at The Substitute Teacher Service

Pros – Work when needed and was constantly needed.

Cons – Not always sure of all the rules.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at The Substitute Teacher Service

Pros – working with kids, flexible schedule

Cons – no advancement opportunities, if you are looking for a full time teaching position one bad class can ruin your chances.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at The Substitute Teacher Service

Pros – If you love working with children like i do,watching children grow in knowledge,and being excited about learning.

Cons – not enough work,not having benefits.

Current Employee – been working at The Substitute Teacher Service

Pros – Working as a substitute teacher, regardless of whether you work directly for a school district or go through an agency, is ideal for individuals who want to work around other major plans and projects. You can basically just work when you want to, and can decline work without much if any negative repercussions. Therefore, the best reason to sub is for job flexibility and independence.

Cons – If you want to decline work, you're fine, but if you need steady work, you can experience frustration. STS does not come across as a company sympathetic to teachers who may in fact be in dire straits with no work. They are basically there as a broker between districts who don't want to deal with the infrastructure of a sub office and teachers who either can't find work or aren't in a position to accept a regular contract. Districts cut administrative staff who would require health benefits, etc., and use sub agencies as temp services, thereby avoiding all the expense of taking responsibility for real employees. Teachers are paid as little as $75 per day, which works out to less than $10 per hour. Once in the classroom, they are often treated with disrespect and disdain by students and regular staff alike. For this privilege, they must constantly hold vigil over their computers in order to snag a job reported through an automated online system, travel to a variety of locations, and be ready to jump into another teacher's schedule which is frequently grossly under-prepared or ridiculously micro-managed to the minute. STS does little but connect subs to vacancies. Benefits are non-existent, pay is low, and the administrative contribution, from the sub's point of view, is bare bones.

Advice to Senior Management – Treat your substitutes like professionals. If you were hospital administrators, would you talk to your doctors like burger-flippers? Find a way to pay them better. If you can't sacrifice your profit margin, demand more from the school districts. Be more proactive with regards to credential-related needs of teachers like Act 48 requirements. Petition districts to let subs participate in professional development workshops and teacher in-services. Increase communication with your substitute teachers. Solicit feedback from districts and share it with the substitutes. For substitute teachers whose work regularity constitutes full-time employment, try to provide the things one generally assumes a proper employee should receive, like incremental raises or minimum benefits. If this is completely out of the question, at least provide your teachers with an attitude of appreciation and professional respect.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at The Substitute Teacher Service as a contractor for less than a year

Pros – The office staff was very accommodating and easy to reach.

Cons – The district that picked me up was only willing to pay $130 per diem for a masters level teacher which is very low in this region.

– I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at The Substitute Teacher Service

Pros – Pay and hours are the best. You can decide if you want to work that day or not

Cons – Not enough hours every week

Advice to Senior Management – Take care of us too so you will have us when needed.