Search for substitutes continues for Kelly Education

Though it is just the beginning of summer time, the recruiting of substitute teachers is still ongoing.

One company taking a large part of this call to arms is Kelly Education, which works closely with the Rio Rancho Public School District.

Rio Rancho account manager Marie Hessinger says the district schools are provided with not only substitutes but educational assistants as well.

"At the end of last semester, we were approaching 300 substitutes in total," she said.

She added that subs are there for schools during day-to-day, last-minute cancellations, long term and even year long.

Educational assistants are just as essential, though.

"For those classrooms that need additional support or those students that might have additional needs, we have educational assistants that are fulfilling those positions as well," Hessinger said.

Peaking interest in the general job seeker can be difficult — and it is even more difficult to get them interested in teaching — but that's where recruiting strategist Albert Henderson III comes in. He says it's a matter of community outreach.

"We go out into the community, we support the Run Fit community; we also support a lot of the different events that go on in the parks. We work closely with Workforce Solutions, Workforce Connections. We go out to the colleges and just we're looking for quality individuals that can fill those substitute positions," Henderson said.

In Rio Rancho, Henderson has headed a few initiatives to recruit as well.

"We actually are going to be over at the Rio Rancho CNM campus. There are also several events at Cabazon Park. We're going out to the Movies Under the Stars," he added.

Henderson and the Kelly Education team also take part in the Rio Rancho job fairs that occur monthly.

Kelly Education director Tricia Davis says their goal has been to get staff numbers up in New Mexico after COVID took a toll on the education staff everywhere.

"One of the things that we partner with — and why especially Rio Rancho, I think partnered with — us and reached out is just to support the over burden of COVID. A lot of educators exited the profession during that time," Davis said.

As the district is building up, Kelly Education aims to help.

"It was really a good partnership because we were able to bring in quality substitutes," Hessinger added.

Many substitutes that join Kelly Education either continue to substitute or use it as a way into a full teaching license.

Hessinger says substitute teachers that join on with Kelly Education can have a passion for teaching and will continue their education. However, it can also be welcomed as a temporary position for those less passionate.

"So with those that love it, I think a lot of times they're in connection with a lot of the local colleges that offer these excel programs that actually get them into teaching. So we have, I would say we do have a very large population of teachers that are student-teachers or become student-teachers because they've become substitutes and just love it," she said.

Davis also contends that there are certain perks to the job that others might not have.

"The nice thing is, with substitute teachers, we talk about the flexibility, but truly, I think it's the only job that you can take that. You choose your own assignment or you choose when you can work," she explained.

She added that people may not realize they qualify to be a substitute teacher. According to her, the position is popular with retired individuals, college-bound teachers, parents wanting to be closer to their kids and individuals who may want more vacation time throughout the year.

Henderson, who started as a substitute teacher and was recruited to join Kelly Education staff, wanted to be closer to his kids and the process helped qualify him.

"When I first started, I never had any classroom experience. Of course, I'm a father and then I've got siblings and so that I thought would prepare me a little bit. But, you know, being hired on with Kelly Education, there are certain training courses that all of our employees go through to get us classroom ready so you're not just stepping into a classroom unprepared," he said.

However, Kelly Education does have an extensive interview and background analysis of applicants to make sure the new hire is a good fit for the job.

For more information, visit Kelly Education's website.