A Kelly Services substitute teacher: How to become one of the best.

Being a Kelly Services substitute teacher means being part of the best, most well-trained substitute teachers in the country. 

Kelly Education is the nation’s largest provider of education talent. We help 10,000+ schools fill classrooms every day. Kelly Education is part of the 75-year-old staffing company, Kelly. 

If you’re interested in becoming a Kelly Services substitute teacher, fill out our interest form, and one of our recruiters will reach out to you. 

Quick tips to becoming a Kelly Education substitute teacher: 

• Connect with a recruiter.
• Get certified with your state, if needed. 
• Take assignments across various schools and grade levels. 
• Be professional with dress and attitude. 
• Follow lesson plans, but be flexible when one isn’t left for you. 
• Participate in professional development. 

Becoming a Kelly Services substitute teacher.

The qualifications and requirements to become a teacher or substitute teacher vary from state to state. For example, some states require a teaching license or certification, while others don’t. Education requirements vary as well — one state may require an associate or bachelor’s degree, while another requires only a certain number of college credits or just a high school diploma. Health screenings, minimum age, background check,s and fingerprinting requirements can also differ. 

So if you want to embark on this rewarding career, it’s important to find out what the requirements are where you live. State DOE websites are good resources to check. But to make things simple, Kelly Education has compiled the basic requirements for every state in the country. Simply click on your state to find more detailed information. 

We provide quality training.

We want our substitute teachers to be well-trained and well-equipped from the very first day they step into a classroom. To that end, Kelly Education provides quality training to all our substitute teachers. 

Of course, many states require some sort of training to become a substitute teacher. In addition, our substitute teacher candidates must complete our free ClassSmarts training module. This covers such areas as effective classroom management, following lesson plans, instruction techniques, laws and policies, safety and emergency preparation, fostering a healthy learning environment, and more. 

Once a substitute teacher is officially hired, we require them to complete a one-hour online New Hire Orientation training outlining Kelly Education and school district policies. 

But the training doesn’t stop there. We place great value on continuing professional development. We encourage you to take advantage of school district professional development on specific skills (such as math and English), curriculum development, classroom management, teaching skills, and more. In addition, we offer webinars on various subjects that help substitute teachers, paraeducators, and support staff continue to grow. Finally, we have an extensive online library of articles that address the specific needs and concerns of substitute teachers. 

Check out this article for more details on the training available for Kelly Services substitute teachers.

What does it mean to be the best Kelly Services substitute teacher?

That’s a loaded question, of course, and space doesn’t allow us to address everything here. But to get you started, here are a few things that will help you rise to the top in your career as a substitute teacher. 

Follow the lesson plan.

This is one of your first and foremost responsibilities as a substitute teacher. When the regular teacher leaves you a lesson plan, you’re expected to use it. Why is this important? Because it maintains the continuity of the students’ education. The teacher knows what’s already been covered and what’s next. You show respect for the teacher and concern for the students when you stick to the lesson plan. 

What if there is no lesson plan? You can ask the office if they have any information or instructions. A fellow teacher may help you, or even a responsible student. Many experienced substitute teachers have a few prepared lessons ready to go as a backup plan, just in case. 

Know the dress code.

Find out ahead of time what the school’s dress code policy is for teachers—and follow it. As a rule, it’s best to avoid clothing that is too casual, too tight, or too revealing. And while certain styles may be popular among your students, don’t forget that you’re the adult in the room, and you should look like it. 

Be smart with social media.

Kelly Education has a policy regarding social media. Substitute teachers should not connect with students on social media platforms. Even if the school doesn’t have a policy, the Kelly Education policy is enforced. This includes not posting any photos taken on school property. 

Start the class off right. 

It’s true that first impressions are important, so the way you start each class goes a long way in establishing the atmosphere and environment you want. Even if you’re nervous, try not to show it. Be clear and firm when it’s time to start. Introduce yourself to your students and briefly tell them something about yourself. Let the students know what your expectations are, and that you may do things differently from what they’re used to. Be friendly, but never let the students forget that you’re in charge. 

Be professional and respectful.

A school is a professional setting, so you should always dress, speak, and act in a dignified way. Be friendly with the school staff, but try not to be overly casual, and avoid gossip. Be punctual. Respect your students as well—by making an effort to learn their names, and not speaking condescendingly to them. If difficulties arise, do your best to keep your composure and remain calm. Finally, be sure to leave a note for the teacher at the end of the day. 

Your professionalism in these areas will make you stand out, and it could well put you on the short list of substitute teachers the school will specifically ask for in future assignments.  

Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education. 

At Kelly Education, we believe in helping our substitute teachers become the best educators for students. We support our substitute teachers every step of the way. To get started, check out these articles from our fully stocked resource library: 

• A complete guide to becoming a substitute teacher 
• What not to do as a substitute teacher 
• Classroom management for substitute teachers 

If you are ready to make a difference with flexible work that matters, the Kelly Education team is here to help you explore your options. Fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher with one of our school district partners.

I’m interested