Success story
See how Zen improved staffing consistency in high-needs classrooms
Spero Academy is a K-6 public charter school providing individualized educational programs designed to benefit students with disabilities across two campuses in Minnesota.The school operates on an extended 11-month academic calendar and maintains an intensive 1:4 educator-to-student ratio to ensure every student receives individualized support. This model creates a uniquely high and constant demand for staffing, particularly for paraprofessionals equipped to support students with complex needs.
School administrators previously worked with a traditional staffing agency that was unable to meet their coverage needs. As staffing gaps persisted, the school turned to Zen in search of a partner that could provide consistent, high-quality staffing to support their high-needs classrooms.
Flexible Short- and Long-Term Staffing
Zen provides Spero Academy with consistent access to qualified paraprofessionals and special education teachers through both daily substitute and long-term roles. At the start of the school year, administrators leverage Zen’s network to quickly secure short-term coverage while assessing classroom needs and identifying strong-fit educators. As those needs become clearer, many of these same educators transition into long-term roles.
Thoughtfully Matched Educators
Zen’s dedicated Account Manager works closely with school administrators through regular communication via email, phone, and on-site visits to ensure educators are prepared to support students with a wide range of behavioral and learning needs. Educators are selected based on their readiness for high-support environments and, for long-term placements, receive additional Crisis Prevention (CPI) training aligned to the school’s requirements.
Self-Serve Staffing, Backed by Expert Support
Spero Academy primarily manages its day-to-day staffing needs through Zen’s platform, giving administrators the flexibility to request coverage, provide feedback, and manage placements in real time. Alongside this self-serve approach, Zen’s dedicated Account Manager provides ongoing support by monitoring usage trends and offering guidance to ensure the school maintains consistent classroom coverage.
90%+ Retention Rate for Long-Term Roles
Once placed in long-term roles, Zen’s special education teachers and paraprofessionals consistently remain in their positions, reflecting Zen’s ability to meet Spero Academy’s expectations and classroom requirements. By ensuring educators are well-prepared for each role, Zen supports strong, lasting placements that provide continuity for both students and staff.
Successful Temp-to-Perm Hiring Pipeline
Spero Academy has successfully leveraged Zen as a reliable pipeline for permanent hires, converting several paraprofessionals from short-term and long-term placements into full-time staff. This approach allows school leaders to evaluate educator fit in real classroom environments before making hiring decisions, helping build a stable and high-quality team.
Short-Term Fill Rates Reaching Up to 95%
Zen provides dependable short-term staffing throughout the school year, helping Spero Academy maintain consistent classroom coverage. With monthly fill rates reaching as high as 95%, staff can focus on supporting students rather than managing daily coverage gaps.
“As a charter school serving a student population primarily consisting of students receiving Special Education services, we have unique and specialized staffing needs. The team at Zen Educate has taken the time to understand those needs, listen to our feedback, and connect us with candidates who possess the skills and experience necessary to support our students effectively. Their commitment to understanding our school and responding to our needs has made them a valued staffing partner.”
Chris Donofrio, Operations Coordinator
Impact where it matters most
90+%
Retention Rate
for long-term roles
95%
Fill Rate
for short-term roles
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