Success story
Discover how Zen streamlined paraprofessional staffing
Etiwanda School District serves about 14,000 Preschool through 8th-grade students in California. To better support its students, the district was seeking to add a staffing partner capable of providing high-quality paraprofessionals.
District leadership required a partner that could not only reliably fill educator vacancies with passionate and qualified paraprofessionals, but one that also offered prompt communication and could be leaned on as a consultant in determining the best educator to meet the unique requirements of each vacant role.
Etiwanda School District partnered with Zen to fill paraprofessional roles where educators were needed to support students with mild/moderate and moderate/severe disabilities.
Dedicated Account Management
The district team was quickly connected to a dedicated Account Manager at Zen who prioritized real-time accessibility and quarterly in-person district visits. This high-touch approach transformed the relationship from a standard vendor contract into a collaborative partnership built on trust and responsiveness.
Thoughtful Educator Selection
To ensure every placement is a strong fit, Zen’s Account Manager uses specific student behavioral notes shared by the district to select the right educator for each classroom. Every candidate is then personally briefed on these unique requirements to ensure they are fully prepared to support student success from their first day.
Pathways to Permanent Hiring
Zen supports the district’s long-term staffing goals by offering a flexible and affordable temp-to-perm model that serves as a reliable and consistent talent pipeline. This allows the district to evaluate an educator’s performance and classroom fit in real time before transitioning them into a permanent position.
By establishing a true partnership centered on communication and high-quality placements, Zen Educate has helped Etiwanda School District achieve greater staffing stability and operational ease.
Streamlined Communication
The shift to a dedicated account management model eliminated the communication delays and administrative hurdles the district faced previously with traditional agencies. With a direct line of contact and personalized educator matching, district leaders can now spend more time focusing on student outcomes rather than managing staffing logistics.
Consistency for Special Education Students
Zen has consistently filled a growing number of long-term paraprofessional vacancies at Etiwanda School District, ensuring high-needs students receive the quality of care they deserve. Even when those educators need time away, Zen rapidly provides replacement coverage, preserving continuity for students with monthly fill rates reaching 99%.
Short Hour Role Coverage
Zen has successfully staffed specialized assignments requiring only two to three hours of daily support, which the district previously found difficult to fill. This coverage ensures that students receive necessary assistance during specific windows without the district facing the logistical burden of unfilled partial shifts.
"Zen has been a tremendous partner in supporting the Etiwanda School District’s staffing needs. Their team consistently provides responsive service and a personal touch that makes working with them easy and effective. We appreciate their commitment to building positive relationships and helping support our schools and students."
Josh Lautenslager, Administrator of Personnel
Impact where it matters most
99%
Monthly fill rates
for paraprofessional roles
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