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Teacher Aide - Immediate Start at Zen Educate

Zen Educate No longer available $20 - $21/hour

Job Description

Limited Positions - Now hiring for the school year.
Your Opportunity to Make a Difference and Inspire Starts Now. We're hiring paraprofessionals and classroom support staff for immediate hire 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. These roles support students with a range of special education needs, including mild, moderate, and severe needs.

Ready to get started? Connect with a recruiter today to feel the difference you can make.

As a Teacher Aide, you'll assist classroom teachers by supporting students who need additional help to reach their full potential. You'll provide both academic and behavioral support within the classroom environment, helping maintain a positive and structured setting for all learners.

Key Responsibilities
- Assist licensed staff in the classroom by helping implement academic adaptations and individualized education plans (IEPs).
- Work with students individually or in small groups to support their self-care and social/behavioral needs.
- Maintain a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to learning.
- Provide timely support for students in crisis situations.
- Utilize a variety of learning methods to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Must-Have Qualifications
Education:
- 60 college credits or higher, OR one of the following:
- A passing score on the Paraeducator Assessment (65% or higher on the Instructional Support test and 70% or higher on the Knowledge and Application test)
- A passing score on the Paraprofessional Assessment (combined score of 460 or above)

Language & Authorization:
- Professional proficiency in English.
- U.S. Work Authorization (Zen Educate cannot provide sponsorship for an employment visa or relocation assistance).

Experience:
- Prior experience working with children in a structured setting is an asset.

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
- ParaPro Certification (upskilling options provided on a case-by-case basis for candidates without the standard educational background)
- Behavioral Technician or PCA experience working with children is an asset.
- Past work experience in a school setting with children with special needs is an asset.

Salary
Pay: $20 - $21 per hour, paid weekly. (for low to medium sped support)
Pay: $22 - $23 per hour, paid weekly. (for high sped support - prior experience required)
Schedule: Monday to Friday, within hours of 7:30 am - 3:00/4:30 pm (no weekend work).

Benefits:
- Weekly pay
- Paid Sick Leave
- 401K (certain eligibility criteria)

depends on availability of schools and roles near your location.

Why Zen
Zen Educate makes your job search simple and transparent. We match you with schools that fit your goals and provide ongoing support, from your first chat to your first day in the classroom, so you can focus on what matters most: making a difference for students.

About Zen
Zen Educate helps schools hire dedicated paraprofessionals and teaching assistants, creating smart, timely matches that support students with special education needs and strengthen school communities.


Ref: MSP-NHQ-TA-February2026-103

$42k - $44k is competitive for Teaching Assistants nationally

National salary averages
$42k - $44k
↑ 20% vs typical mid-level
Entry
Mid
Senior
This job
$24k Market range (10th-90th percentile) $50k

Hot hiring, constrained wages

Employers are hiring actively, but pay hasn't caught up with demand. Focus on competing offers and non-salary benefits.

Hiring leverage
Candidate-favored
Wage leverage âš  Disconnect
Constrained
Mobility
High mobility
Durability
High fragility

Why this market feels harder than it looks

This market is hiring aggressively, but compensation hasn't caught up and most openings are backfilling churn, not expansion. Employers are filling roles, but not bidding wages up.

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Senior candidates with options
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Watch out for

Wage disconnect: Hiring is active but pay hasn't responded—negotiate on other terms.

Don't let hiring headlines mislead you—focus on concrete offers. Your leverage may be less durable than it appears—move decisively.

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
Stable but flat

Steady work, but limited growth in both jobs and pay.

-1%
10yr growth
Most openings come from retirements and turnover, not new positions.
195,000 openings projected annually—mostly replacing retirees and turnover.

Openings come from turnover, not new growth. Differentiate to advance.

Labor data: BLS 2024