Instructional Assistant - Hiring Now

Launch Your Career in Education for the 2026-2027 School Year!
We’re hiring paraprofessionals and classroom support staff for the 2026–2027 school year to work with students who need specialized support. These roles are focused on SPED classrooms and are ideal for those looking to grow their skills and make a meaningful impact all year long.

About Zen Educate
Zen Educate connects schools with passionate, high-quality educators through a simple and transparent hiring process. We partner with public and charter schools to help them find the right staff, while making it easier for educators to discover roles that fit their skills, preferences, and career goals. Our mission is to create better outcomes for students by supporting the educators who make it happen, through smarter matching, fairer pay, and ongoing support.

Our Instructional Assistants are fundamental to a smoothly running classroom, providing practical support that allows teachers to focus on instruction, while also offering encouragement and guidance to students throughout the school day.

Key Responsibilities

• Behavioral Support: Implement and manage behavioral intervention plans (BIPs), provide positive reinforcement, and use de-escalation techniques as necessary.
• Individualized Support: Provide personalized support to special education students, tailoring materials and strategies to their unique learning and behavioral needs.
• Classroom Assistance: Assist teachers in managing classroom behaviors, fostering a positive and inclusive environment, and encouraging student participation.
• Data Collection: Record and maintain detailed data on student progress, behaviors, and interventions to support the special education team.
• Communication: Build and maintain effective communication with teachers, parents, and school staff to ensure cohesive and consistent support for students.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma obtained in the United States
• 6+ months experience supporting people with special needs (in any capacity), ideally child-focused experience
• Applicants must have professional proficiency in English
• US Work Authorization - Zen Educate cannot provide sponsorship for an employment visa or relocation assistance at this time

Physical Requirements:

• Comfortable being on your feet and moving around the classroom throughout the day
• Able to lift up to 20 lbs and safely assist students when needed (kneeling, bending, quick response)
• Additional physical requirements may be requested during your application process

Preferred Qualifications / Experience

• Experience working in special education, particularly with moderate to severe behaviors
• Experience with personal care tasks, like diapering and toileting
• Experience handling unexpected behaviour, such as hitting and biting
• Comfortable with eloping
• Experience with behaviour strategies and methodologies
• Experience in collecting data and following BI plan
• Associate's degree or higher (obtained in the US or US equivalency check completed)
• Pro-Act training
• Certification in CPR and First Aid

Salary
Pay: $22 - $24.50 per hour, paid weekly.
Schedule: Monday to Friday, within hours of 7:30 am - 3:00/4:30 pm (no weekend work)

Benefits:

• Paid weekly
• 401K (certain eligibility criteria)
• Long-term employment opportunities within the District

Don’t wait! Apply and connect with a recruiter today and take the first step toward your future in education.

Ref: #SDTAZA-Aug26

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