Kelly Education Learning Pathways™
Prepare aspiring educators for life inside the classroom with our innovative substitute teacher training.
Build an effective and prepared substitute teaching workforce.
As the nation's largest provider of substitute teachers, no one knows what it takes to be a successful substitute educator more than Kelly Education.
Kelly Education Learning Pathways™, our new professional learning platform, helps districts effectively train substitute teachers to deliver quality teaching, improve outcomes, and reduce headaches.
Quality substitute teaching starts with quality training.
Our researched-based training programs cover all the core competencies of effective substitute teaching.
- Day-to-day procedures, expectations, instructional strategies, and lesson planning
- Classroom management and behavior management
- Supporting students in special education and at-risk youth
- Social, emotional, and cognitive development
- Legal and ethical issues in education
A fresh approach to learning.
Developed by Ed.D.-credentialed educators and human resources experts, our forward-thinking curriculum goes beyond sit-and-get PD—ensuring training completion and knowledge retention.
- Curriculum backed by the first-of-its-kind Substitute Teacher Learning Standards
- Interactive, mobile-friendly LMS platform
- Practical applications for encouraging knowledge retention
- Automated assessments for checking comprehension
- District reporting and analytics for understanding program progress and completions
A research-backed case for investing in your substitute educators.
Our review of hundreds of studies shows that substitute educators are worth investing in, especially since they play an ever-increasing role in solving the nation's teacher shortage crisis. This investment can lead to better results for administrators, staff, students, and the larger community.

Deliver quality teaching
Linda Darling-Hammond's analysis of NAEP data, surveys, and case studies from all 50 states suggests that investing in teacher education, licensing, hiring, and PD can "make an important difference in the qualifications and capacities that teachers bring to their work."
Improve outcomes
A 10-year longitudinal study, published by the Economics of Education Review, confirms what many educators anecdotally know. There is a direct and positive link between teacher professional development, teaching practices, and student achievement.
Reduce headaches
Effective substitute teacher training can provide long-term benefits to school districts, including improving substitute teacher retention rates. In fact, research from the Siber Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary (SJAM) shows a strong link between employee preparedness and reduced attrition rates.
Three engaging paths.
In today's competitive job market, adequate professional development is key to making your district an employer of choice. Solve your substitute teacher recruiting, hiring, and recruitment challenges with our online and engaging Substitute Teacher Pathway.
Essential
5 hours of content, including:
$39.99/license
5 hours of content, including:
ClassSmarts: Beginning your Substitute Journey
Instructional Strategies for Substitute Teachers
Preparing for Your First Day as a Substitute Teacher
Enhanced
10 hours of content, including:
$59.99/license
10 hours of content, including:
Behavior Management: Responsive Approaches
Social, Emotional, & Cognitive Development in preK-12
Behavior Management: Causes and Functionality of Student Behavior
Exemplary
20 hours of content, including:
$99.99/license
20 hours of content, including:
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Behavior Management: Responsive Approaches
Best Practices: Teaching Students with ADHD
Explore all courses within our Essential, Enhanced, and Exemplary Substitute Teacher Pathways, as well as other courses and modules that are available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once I purchase, how will I get started?
For districts that purchase less than 50 licenses, you will receive a comprehensive self-start packet that includes your enrollment keys alongside tips and best practices for a successful launch.
For districts that purchase more than 50 licenses, you will get enhanced personalized support from a dedicated Learning & Development representative, who will help identify the optimal processes and resources for your learners to access and successfully complete their training pathway.
Do you have other content available besides the Substitute Teacher Paths?
Yes! We have several other courses and modules available for add-on purchase, including topics around special education and behavior management. Additionally, we will have a variety of free articles and resources available to individuals with accounts. There are also several courses that learners can purchase for their own professional development.
How long will my enrollment key be valid?
Enrollment keys are valid for 1 calendar year, beginning on the date of purchase.
How long do my substitute teachers have to complete their training?
Each purchase gives the learner 90 days to access and complete the content. If they need more time, they can extend their coursework by 30 days for a small additional fee.
What happens if my substitutes need help with something in the platform?
Don’t worry! Our team is equipped to support your substitutes through their learning journey and our support contact information is readily available to them through the platform. They can also access self-support resources, like a password reset link and our FAQ’s.