Pros
ESS offers flexibility . I will give them that. If you have a degree or have spent any time as a professional, you may find this a low-level employment opportunity.
Cons
You are a warm body in the classroom and this is why they claim “no experience needed to apply” and pay so little. There is poor/patronizing communication as email only on so many levels, so be aware of that. Often, the good you do, over and above for students in the classroom is not seen; however, if you make an honest mistake, it is seen. The reprimand is fierce, when it could have been headed off at the pass through effective communication or a kind sharing of information/misinformation. Be aware you may prepare to teach a second grade class, but arrive to school and find it’s actually fifth grade. Very different and ESS does not change it on the online portal, despite multiple requests from the school. Therefore, have back up lessons for all grades. Some teachers leave no lesson plans or the bare minimum. Even if you are a tech guru, the link/technology teachers will leave you to manage a whole days worth of lessons may not work. You will see the same issue at multiple schools despite weeks of multiple tech ticket requests. Therefore have back up lessons for all grades on your person. Not all teachers/schools let you know IEP/medical issues. This means if Johnny has a seizure or allergy, you will not be in the know. There may or may not be a nurse available that day. If you are not a commanding figure, safety could feel like an issue in the older grades with behavioral issues such as a student who throws chairs or hurts others. Schools are super stretched, so everyone is overwhelmed and busy. You may not receive support or even a map to the bathroom. You will need to ask, but may not know beforehand what issue to even ask about until it is too late. Some teachers are super stressed and irritable, they will automatically presume you are incompetent, so get ready for high school drama. Make sure you love kids and can deal well with these issues if you sign up for a role with this company.
