ESS Helps Commonwealth Students Take Their First Steps in Education

For many aspiring educators, securing a teaching position used to mean applying directly to individual school districts or sending out countless paper applications. Today, the landscape looks very different, thanks to ESS, an education talent and management company that has revolutionized how future teachers connect with school districts through partnerships like the one with Commonwealth University (CU).

ESS recruits, hires, trains, and manages substitute teachers and support staff for over 1,200 school districts nationwide. With a regional office in Cherry Hill, NJ, ESS supports more than 130 school districts and educational organizations in Pennsylvania alone, creating valuable opportunities for new graduates and aspiring educators.

Jamie Earley, Senior Regional Director at ESS, has been with the company for about seven years and has led efforts to strengthen partnerships with colleges and universities across the country, with a strong focus on Pennsylvania. By leveraging platforms like Handshake, Earley has successfully registered for Career Connections Expos across all three Commonwealth University campuses.

"When we first started attending these expos, many students had never heard of ESS," Earley shared. "But over time, as students were hired and shared their success stories, we began to see more seeking us out because they had heard positive feedback from their peers."

These events have linked ESS with newly certified or soon-to-be-certified teachers, while also providing the company with an opportunity to connect with students still exploring their career options.

"You never know who might come across your table," said Earley. "Is it someone you can help? Someone who could help you? These students and graduates are the future of education and the heart of our communities."

Earley described Commonwealth University students as bright, motivated, and eager to make a difference. ESS is proud to support them as they take their first steps into education roles across Pennsylvania.

"Every student, regardless of their major or where they are in their academic journey, demonstrated such professionalism and curiosity," Earley said. "There's no better feeling than hearing from a substitute who tells me they've been board-approved or offered a full-time contract because of a connection made at a CU job fair."