What Does an Education Paraprofessional Do?

An education paraprofessional's role is to carry out support tasks for a teacher in a school setting. They are responsible for creating learning materials such as visual aids and presentations, participating in devising lesson plans and assessment methods, grading and evaluating student performances, and even maintaining order in the classroom. There are also instances where they must assist students who are having difficulties catching up with the lessons. Furthermore, an education paraprofessional may also teach under the supervision of a more experienced educator.

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Education Paraprofessional Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real education paraprofessional resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Work with ESL and special needs students, individually and in small groups, to attain their learning objectives
Help student become more independent and achieve organizational goals by using self-monitore checklists and adaptive technology.
Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
Perform technical, clerical and instructional support tasks in a Pre-K classroom for the physically impair
Target instructional learning activities especially in core content areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Help assist in Pre-K classroom.
Utilize CPI training when necessary in the ABC classroom.
Provide special care to special needs and ESL pupils.
Work as a one on one para for a special needs student.
Perform first aid and CPR in emergency situations according to establish procedures.
Ensure the safety of student and the safety of classmates using CPI strategies.
Help student keep on task, facilitate social interactions and follow ABA teaching methods.
Assist with self-help skills, toileting, and implement specialize physical health care plans.
Help students move into and out of wheelchairs, walkers, and other supportive devices.
Implement creative techniques to encourage the development and application of self-help skills among the students.

Education Paraprofessional Job Description

Perhaps the hardest question to answer when deciding on a career as an education paraprofessional is "should I become an education paraprofessional?" You might find this info to be helpful. When compared to other jobs, education paraprofessional careers are projected to have a growth rate described as "as fast as average" at 4% from 2018 through 2028. This is in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What's more, is that the projected number of opportunities that are predicted to become available for a education paraprofessional by 2028 is 55,400.

On average, the education paraprofessional annual salary is $31,158 per year, which translates to $14.98 an hour. Generally speaking, education paraprofessionals earn anywhere from $24,000 to $39,000 a year, which means that the top-earning education paraprofessionals make $16,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum.

As is the case with most jobs, it takes work to become an education paraprofessional. Sometimes people change their minds about their career after working in the profession. That's why we looked into some other professions that might help you find your next opportunity. These professions include a pre-k teacher, esl teacher, teacher associate, and classroom aide.

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12 Education Paraprofessional Resume Examples

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Grace Morris Education Paraprofessional Contact Information New York, NY (350) 555-3977 gmorris@example.com Skills Academic Support Student Learning Independent Living Special Education Recreational Activities Community Health Comfortable Environment K-12 Patience Data Collection Employment History Education Paraprofessional 2011 - Present City of Roseville New York, NY Assist teacher in classroom management by enforcing administration policies and rules governing students. Tutor and assist children individually and in small groups to help comprehend learning concepts presented by the teacher. Instituted positive classroom management strategies and disciplinary programs that effectively handled challenging behaviors. Assisted in the successful execution of daily academic lessons to mainstream and special education students. Special Education Teaching Assistant 2010 - 2011 City of Roseville New York, NY Assisted with daily education activities for developmentally disabled, physically disabled and special education students between kindergarten and eighth grade. Assisted in the successful execution of daily academic lessons to mainstream and special education students. Raised English Language Arts test scores among special education and general education students in grades seven and eight. Managed middle-school special education classroom in self-contained, inclusion, and resource room settings. Health Aide 2000 - 2010 AT HOME HEALTH CARE New York, NY Provided round the clock care Changed site dressing and administered prescriptions Communicated directly with doctor for patient care Perform personal care for clients, assist with medications, vital, bloodpressures, Light housekeeping and cooking. Committed to the medical profession and to quality patient care. Care for patients and assisting with their personal care. Education Some College Courses Nursing 2000 - 2000 Excelsior College Albany, NY


Russell Richardson Education Paraprofessional Contact Info Atlanta, GA (910) 555-7148 rrichardson@example.com Skills ParaKindergartenABAIfspBehavioral IssuesLanguage ArtsDibelsAppropriate CurriculumChild CareDirect Supervision Employment History Education Paraprofessional 2018 - Present DeKalb County Public Library Atlanta, GA Assist with classroom management activities promoting an effective learning environment. Assisted lead teacher in Pre-k -2nd grade Special Education Class. Collected and reported weekly data as it pertained to special education students. Assist teacher in classroom management and student educational development Maintain through and comprehensive attendance log Special Education Instructional Assistant 2017 - 2018 Prince William County Public Schools Alexandria, VA Worked in a room for special education students to work on proper classroom behavior and receive individual tutoring Provided classroom support to teachers in special education classes. Perform health or personal care functions for students as required by the I.E.P., 504 Plan or teacher's instructions. Early Childhood Special Educator 2015 - 2017 KinderCare Alexandria, VA Certified in First Aid and CPR. Encourage good behavior and positive reinforcement methods. Worked to ensure children are socially, emotionally and educationally ready for kindergarten. Education High School Diploma 2015 - 2015


Jeffrey Gomez Education Paraprofessional Las Vegas, NV (650) 555-5775 jgomez@example.com Experience Education Paraprofessional2017 - Present Clark County School District•Las Vegas, NV Tutored students with learning disabilities and behavioral issues in a linguistically and culturally diverse school. Work One-on-one or in small groups in the classroom and community settings. Maintained classroom management in teacher's absence. Instructed students individually with special needs and in small groups. Paraprofessional Education Assistant2011 - 2017 Clark County School District•Las Vegas, NV Collected, maintained and reported program participation data. Provided support and assistance to students receiving special education services in the general education setting. Prepare accurate, legally binding IEPs via online Special Education web sites. Worked with the students and teachers in the special education department of the school to ensure safety and order. Kindergarten Teacher Assistant2010 - 2011 Clark County School District•Las Vegas, NV Created classroom rules and procedures to support/achieve classroom management. Follow teacher's lesson plans, assist students with school work as needed, grade papers, copy documents for teacher. Assist in student achievement goals and maintain classroom management. Skills Classroom ManagementSocial StudiesChild CareCuriosityESLRecreational ActivitiesPositive RelationshipsDirect SupervisionIntellectual DisabilitiesParent-Teacher Conferences Education High School Diploma 2010 - 2010

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Education Paraprofessional Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 10% of Education Paraprofessionals are proficient in Autism, Behavioral Issues, and Mathematics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Patience.

We break down the percentage of Education Paraprofessionals that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Autism, 10%
Worked directly with three different students with special needs ranging from Down Syndrome to high-functioning autism to severe social/emotional developmental delays.
Behavioral Issues, 9%
Tutored students with learning disabilities and behavioral issues in a linguistically and culturally diverse school.
Mathematics, 8%
Assisted students with Mathematics and Reading comprehension.
Math, 8%
Created specialized activities to increase understanding of math and reading concepts while working one-on-one with struggling elementary school students.
Instructional Materials, 8%
Assisted the classroom teacher in preparing instructional materials and administer lessons within a Learning Impaired Moderate to Severe classroom environment.
IEP, 7%
Fostered improved communication between school & Latino community by interpreting linguistically and culturally in formal IEP evaluations and informal student meetings.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Education Paraprofessional Resume templates

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Some of the skills we found on education paraprofessional resumes included "autism," "behavioral issues," and "mathematics." We have detailed the most important education paraprofessional responsibilities below.

Arguably the most important personality trait for an education paraprofessional to have happens to be communication skills. An example from a resume said this about the skill, "teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents." Additionally, other resumes have pointed out that education paraprofessionals can use communication skills to "received intensive training in data collection, communication strategies, severe behaviors, and positive behavior management. "

Another commonly found skill for being able to perform education paraprofessional duties is the following: interpersonal skills. According to a education paraprofessional resume, "teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators." Check out this example of how education paraprofessionals use interpersonal skills: "have assisted these students with interpersonal/discipline challenges within the general education classroom setting. "

Education paraprofessionals are also known for patience, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a education paraprofessional resume: "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult" We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "demonstrated patience in a highly demanding learning environment. "

A thorough review of lots of resumes revealed to us that "resourcefulness" is important to completing education paraprofessional responsibilities. This resume example shows just one way education paraprofessionals use this skill: "teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical education paraprofessional tasks: "showed resourcefulness and teaching effectiveness in meeting the needs of individuals with limited english language proficiency as well as learning disabilities. "

See the full list of education paraprofessional skills.

We've found that 58.5% of education paraprofessionals have earned a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, 8.9% earned their master's degrees before becoming an education paraprofessional. While it's true that most education paraprofessionals have a college degree, it's generally possible to become one with only a high school degree. In fact, one out of every seven education paraprofessionals did not spend the extra money to attend college.

The education paraprofessionals who went onto college to earn a more in-depth education generally studied psychology and business, while a small population of education paraprofessionals studied elementary education and education.

Once you're ready to become an education paraprofessional, you should explore the companies that typically hire education paraprofessionals. According to education paraprofessional resumes that we searched through, education paraprofessionals are hired the most by AlphaVista Services, Denver Public Schools, and Roseville Area Schools. Currently, AlphaVista Services has 130 education paraprofessional job openings, while there are 51 at Denver Public Schools and 18 at Roseville Area Schools.

If you're interested in companies where education paraprofessionals make the most money, you'll want to apply for positions at Boston Public Schools, Gateway Unified School District, and Santa Barbara County Education Office. We found that at Boston Public Schools, the average education paraprofessional salary is $49,827. Whereas at Gateway Unified School District, education paraprofessionals earn roughly $36,542. And at Santa Barbara County Education Office, they make an average salary of $36,366.

View more details on education paraprofessional salaries across the United States.

We also looked into companies who hire education paraprofessionals from the top 100 educational institutions in the U.S. The top three companies that hire the most from these institutions include Leon County Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools, and Indianapolis Public Schools.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious education paraprofessionals are:

AlphaVista Services130 Education Paraprofessionals Jobs
Denver Public Schools51 Education Paraprofessionals Jobs
Roseville Area Schools18 Education Paraprofessionals Jobs

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What Pre-K Teachers Do

Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.

In this section, we compare the average education paraprofessional annual salary with that of a pre-k teacher. Typically, pre-k teachers earn a $9,143 higher salary than education paraprofessionals earn annually.

While the salaries between these two careers can be different, they do share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both education paraprofessionals and pre-k teachers positions are skilled in mathematics, math, and instructional materials.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. An education paraprofessional responsibility is more likely to require skills like "autism," "behavioral issues," "instructional support," and "kindergarten." Whereas a pre-k teacher requires skills like "kids," "help support," "language arts," and "bilingual education." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

Pre-k teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than education paraprofessionals. In fact, pre-k teachers are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of an ESL Teacher?

An ESL teacher specializes in teaching the English language to non-native speakers of all ages, usually in a virtual setting. Their responsibilities revolve around devising lesson plans, organizing learning materials, evaluating progress, and coming up with strategies to make learners feel comfortable. Furthermore, they must maintain a healthy and safe learning environment, whether the lessons are in a one-on-one or group setting. When it comes to virtual learning, an ESL teacher must have the necessary equipment, a stable internet connection, and an obstruction-free teaching location.

Next up, we have the esl teacher profession to look over. This career brings along a higher average salary when compared to an education paraprofessional annual salary. In fact, esl teachers salary difference is $21,543 higher than the salary of education paraprofessionals per year.

While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that's a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both education paraprofessionals and esl teachers are known to have skills such as "mathematics," "instructional materials," and "classroom management. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. For example, education paraprofessional responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autism," "behavioral issues," "math," and "iep." Meanwhile, a esl teacher might be skilled in areas such as "kids," "whiteboards," "curriculum development," and "english language." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, esl teachers earn a higher salary than education paraprofessionals. There are industries that support higher salaries in each profession respectively. Interestingly enough, esl teachers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $52,367. Whereas, education paraprofessionals have higher paychecks in the finance industry where they earn an average of $31,602.

When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, esl teachers tend to reach higher levels of education than education paraprofessionals. In fact, they're 10.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How a Teacher Associate Compares

A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

The third profession we take a look at is teacher associate. On an average scale, these workers bring in higher salaries than education paraprofessionals. In fact, they make a $2,849 higher salary per year.

By looking over several education paraprofessionals and teacher associates resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "mathematics," "math," and "instructional materials." But beyond that the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from education paraprofessional resumes include skills like "autism," "behavioral issues," "instructional support," and "kindergarten," whereas a teacher associate might be skilled in "child care," "child development," "cleanliness," and "pre-k."

Teacher associates make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $32,745. Whereas education paraprofessionals are paid the highest salary in the finance industry with the average being $31,602.

Teacher associates are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to education paraprofessionals. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a Classroom Aide

Classroom aides or teacher's aides are found in special education centers and schools. Some of their many roles include supervising field trips, attendance checking, and preparing classroom materials. They help the teachers by assisting students who need extra attention to keep up with the lessons. Being very patient and proficient in ASL are skills that all of them need to have, especially when working with students in the special education spectrum. They should be very critical to detail to accurately track the progress of the student under their supervision and discuss them with the teachers and parents.

Now, we'll look at classroom aides, who generally average a lower pay when compared to education paraprofessionals annual salary. In fact, the difference is about $2,326 per year.

According to resumes from both education paraprofessionals and classroom aides, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "autism," "behavioral issues," and "mathematics. "

Each job requires different skills like "math," "kindergarten," "para," and "behavioral support," which might show up on an education paraprofessional resume. Whereas classroom aide might include skills like "paraprofessional," "behavior analysis," "emotional support," and "classroom behavior."

Classroom aides earn a higher salary in the education industry with an average of $28,909. Whereas, education paraprofessionals earn the highest salary in the finance industry.

The average resume of classroom aides showed that they earn similar levels of education to education paraprofessionals. So much so that the likelihood of them earning a Master's Degree is 2.1% less. Additionally, they're more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

What an Education Paraprofessional Does FAQs

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Paraprofessional?

The pros of being a paraprofessional are on-the-job training and great benefits, while the cons are a lack of career growth and routine work. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being a paraprofessional:

Pros:

On-the-Job Training. Paraprofessionals are able to begin working without a lot of experience, and then gain that experience through on-the-job training. This can be extremely beneficial, especially for people who want to eventually transition into the associated professional roles.
Great Benefits. Paraprofessionals often receive the same benefits as other people working at their company, so they have paid holidays off, medical insurance, retirement plans, etc.
Rewarding Career. Just like licensed professionals, paraprofessionals can feel a great deal of satisfaction in their work. For example, paraprofessionals working in education can feel they are helping to truly benefit the lives of their students.

Cons:

Lack of Career Growth. There are generally not any promotions available for paraprofessionals. If they do choose to advance in their industry, this often will require them to return to school and complete more education and certification.
High Stress. Paraprofessionals are often tasked with work that needs to be completed quickly and perfectly. Paralegals often have very limited hours to prepare for a new case, and they need to complete copious amounts of research.
Routine Work. Most paraprofessionals will spend their days doing very similar tasks, day after day. Many people enjoy having a structured schedule, but if you seek excitement and consistent change, this may not work for you.

What Are The Qualifications For A Paraprofessional?

An associate's degree or at least two years of undergraduate coursework in education are the qualifications for a paraprofessional. This education helps Paraprofessionals prepare for a career in the classroom, including instruction techniques and ways to support teachers.

Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.

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Updated October 2, 2020