Teaching Assistant - Immediate Start

Company: Zen Educate
Location: Santa Ana
Posted on: March 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Limited Positions - Now hiring for the 2025–2026 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 Teaching Assistant, you’ll work under the guidance of classroom teachers to provide essential support to K-12 students, particularly those with special needs. You will assist with instructional activities, help manage classroom dynamics, facilitate positive interactions among students, and support students' individual learning and personal care needs to help them achieve their academic and developmental goals. Responsibilities: - Assisting the classroom teacher to maintain a safe learning environment - Provide one-on-one or small group assistance to students with special needs, reinforcing lessons and implementing IEPs to achieve goals - Assist in compiling classroom communications including supporting with differentiation for different children’s needs - Assist with classroom management, redirecting behavior, and implementing behavior management plans - Facilitate interactions between students with disabilities and their peers, teaching and modeling strategies for positive interaction - Use a variety of learning methods to enhance the student learning experiences and support them as needed - Support with personal care or hygiene as needed, including toileting, feeding, and dressing Required Qualifications: - High school diploma or the equivalent - Experience working with children with special educational needs - Experience working with personal care - Passion for working within special education - U.S. work authorization (Zen Educate cannot provide sponsorship for an employment visa or relocation assistance at this time) - Applicants must be professionally proficient in English 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 - Past work experience in a school - CPR and First Aid - CPI Training Salary Pay: $22 - $26 per hour, paid weekly. 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) About Zen Zen Educate is tackling the educator shortage by helping schools connect with passionate teaching assistants and paraprofessionals. We’re proud to support both schools and staff by creating smart, fast matches that benefit students and communities alike. Why Zen Zen Educate connects passionate educators with schools that need them most. Every match helps build stronger classrooms and brighter futures for students. We make the process simple, transparent, and focused on what really matters, impact. Ref: SC_TA_ZA

Keywords: Zen Educate, Riverside , Teaching Assistant - Immediate Start, Education / Teaching , Santa Ana, California