Kelly Educational Staffing® Names Walter Bailey as 2019 National Substitute Teacher of the Year

TROY, Mich., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Teacher Appreciation Day serves as a reminder to schools, parents and communities to honor and appreciate the daily contributions teachers make to students’ lives. In celebration, Walter Bailey has been selected by Kelly Educational Staffing (KES^®), as the National Substitute Teacher of the Year for the 2018-19 school year.  KES is the largest provider of substitute teachers nationwide and a specialty service of Kelly^®, a global workforce solutions provider that’s always asking what’s next in the world of work.

A resident of New Haven, Connecticut, Mr. Bailey is being recognized for his outstanding performance and excellent service as a substitute teacher in Hamden Public Schools. He developed an interest in teaching students after serving as a volunteer tutor for two years at New Haven Reads, a one-on-one tutoring program that serves over 500 children every week. 

During the four years Mr. Bailey has been a KES substitute teacher, he has served as a paraprofessional, library media specialist, special education professional and substitute teacher in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms.  When asked what he likes most about being a substitute teacher, Mr. Bailey replied, “I like seeing the spark of understanding on a child’s face when a lesson clicks for them.  Most of all, though, I want to take part in helping shape the next generation.”

“Mr. Bailey has worked in almost every classroom environment at our school and has exhibited an exemplary performance,” said Dr. Michael Lorenzo, principal of Helen Street School in Hamden, Connecticut. “He always approaches every assignment with the utmost professionalism and regards the overall well-being of the students as being of paramount importance.”

Each year, as part of a long-standing tradition and an integral component in recognizing substitute teachers and paraprofessionals for their success, KES employees across the U.S. have the opportunity to nominate individuals for the state and national teacher of the year awards in recognition of the ways they enrich the lives of students. The nominations include feedback provided by the administration at KES partner-schools.  From the state winners, one national winner is selected, representing the highest achievement a KES substitute teacher can receive.

As the KES national winner, Mr. Bailey will receive an award certificate and a $1,500 bonus as well as an additional $1,500 to donate to the school of his choice within the district.

“Mr. Bailey is a true representation of the high-quality educators KES provides to its partner schools each day,” said Nicola Soares, vice president and managing director of KES. “He is dedicated to ensuring a successful learning environment exists in the classroom and the needs of each student are met. We are proud to recognize his commitment with this honor.”

About Kelly Educational Staffing
At Kelly Educational Staffing^® (KES^®), we believe that education is a shared responsibility—and we’re dedicated to bringing the best educators to your classrooms. Operating as a specialty service of Kelly^®, a global workforce solutions provider that’s always asking what’s next in the world of work, we’re proud to be the first and largest comprehensive education talent management solution in the U.S. Launched in 1997, KES partners with more than 7,000 public, private, and charter schools across 36 states. In addition, KES provides schools with quality substitute teacher staffing and management, as well as after-school program staffing, and the staffing of non-instructional positions such as custodians, cafeteria employees, administrative assistants, and school nurses. More than three million classrooms are filled by a KES substitute teacher each school year.

Note to Editors: Photos available upon request.

Media Contact
Denise Ridenour
Kelly Educational Staffing
248.633.3943