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Para educator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Diebel,

James Thomas Jackson Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical para educator skills. We ranked the top skills for para educators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.6% of para educator resumes contained behavioral issues as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a para educator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 para educator skills for your resume and career

1. Behavioral Issues

Behavioral issues are the tendencies of individuals displaying unpleasant behavior as a result of sickness or addiction.

Here's how para educators use behavioral issues:

Supervised and implemented lesson plans one-on-one for suspended student with mental health and behavioral issues.
Assisted in a self-contained classroom with emotionally disturbed children with behavioral issues.

2. Student Performance

Here's how para educators use student performance:

Worked collaboratively in a professional learning community to evaluate student performance, design interventions and enrichment, and implement designed interventions.
Developed and implemented lesson plans, assisted teacher with paperwork and filing, collected data pertaining to student performance.

3. IEP

Here's how para educators use iep:

Implement direct academic instruction, classroom accommodations and curriculum modifications as outlined in students' Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).
Created curriculum and adhered to federally mandated individualized education program (IEP) for special needs children.

4. Math

Here's how para educators use math:

Implemented multiple curricula including Math incorporating Georgia Milestones Common Core State Standards into lesson planning with instructional staff.
Provided customized math and science tutoring sessions for students requiring additional instruction.

5. Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an early form of education that begins when a child is about five years old. During kindergarten, children learn the basic elements of reading, writing, and mathematics in addition to colors, telling time, sharing, and similar principles. Kindergarten classes are typically overseen by a single teacher who lectures on all of the subjects listed.

Here's how para educators use kindergarten:

Helped enroll new students and assisted families in completing the necessary paperwork including immunization information, as well as Kindergarten registration.
Assisted a caseload of 10 developmentally disabled students between Kindergarten and fifth grade in comprehension of reading and mathematics

6. School Administration

Here's how para educators use school administration:

Worked with program coordinator, and discussed student family issues with appropriate school administration.
Established direct interaction with children, staff and school administration on a day-to-day basis.

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7. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how para educators use cpr:

Maintain proper skill qualifications in First Aid, CPR, and CPI.
Assist teacher in every aspect of curriculum, CPR certified.

8. Mathematics

Here's how para educators use mathematics:

Developed lessons and instructed students, based on Georgia Milestones Common Core Mathematics and Physical Education Standards and grade level expectations.
Assured academics as teacher in high school mathematics and elementary/middle school general education curriculum for more than 200 students.

9. Direct Supervision

Direct supervision is a term used to indicate that a person is supervising a certain task or a certain person while being physically present or in close proximity. It refers to the presence of a person and the availability of their supervision in something if it is needed.

Here's how para educators use direct supervision:

Provided instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher or professional practitioner.
Assist in caring for student's medical needs when under the direct supervision of the school nurse or other appropriate professional.

10. General Education

Here's how para educators use general education:

Facilitate individual and small group instruction to 6th-12th grade students in both general educational classrooms and individual learning center-based classrooms.
Established and maintained a positive and supportive relationship with the special education teachers and general education teachers.

11. Instructional Materials

Here's how para educators use instructional materials:

Operated photocopying machine to duplicate educational materials, assignments or test; typed materials as needed; created instructional materials.
Prepare instructional materials for individual and confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet individual student needs.

12. Behavior Management

Here's how para educators use behavior management:

Assist to provide academic, behavior management, crisis intervention, and/or other educational service support in structured settings.
Assisted with preparation for and implementation of behavior management techniques, educational and vocational instruction and vocational placement programs.

13. Classroom Management

Here's how para educators use classroom management:

Provided one-on-one instructional support for the young individual under my care; also assisted with classroom management and provided needed assistance.
Assisted in all aspects of classroom management and facilitated an inclusive instruction process that accommodated a variety of learning styles.

14. Language Arts

Language art refers to the ability to master a language.

Here's how para educators use language arts:

Implement current curriculum by teaching Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Reading, Art and Physical Education.
Worked with autistic children, ages eight to fourteen on social skills and language arts development.

15. Classroom Environment

Here's how para educators use classroom environment:

Administered and graded examinations and ensured that the classroom environment was conducive to learning.
Helped classroom teachers organize teaching materials and create a positive classroom environment.

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What skills help Para Educators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on para educator resumes?

Lisa Diebel

Associate Professor of Instruction, Ohio University

I think when you can show experiential experiences and an internship, you will stand out. An error-free resume is also critical.

What soft skills should all para educators possess?

James Thomas Jackson Ph.D.

Professor of Special Education, Howard University

These skills would be many, but I tend to think the following are necessary for good special educators:
-a love for the act of teaching
-emotional and mental stability
-patience
-ability to be flexible
-good interpersonal and intrapersonal skills
-a good relationship builder
-confidence

What hard/technical skills are most important for para educators?

James Thomas Jackson Ph.D.

Professor of Special Education, Howard University

The hard/technical skills that I believe are the most important for special educators are:
-ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
-strong content knowledge base
-demonstrate effective methods of teaching and instruction
-strong knowledge of technology
-ability to be an advocate
-ability to work with a team

What para educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Amber Gentile

Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Cabrini University

It is recommended that graduates continuously look to enhance their inter and intrapersonal skill sets. It is when we "push ourselves" beyond our "comfort zones" that growth is maximized. Graduates should get involved in something that matters to them and challenges them. Being passionate about something experienced and of interest helps a teacher candidate to stand out. Volunteering in schools and organizations that are mission-oriented in improving children's lives is very beneficial for both personal and professional growth.

Being involved in experiences interacting with and supporting children's holistic development can help build a skill set to guide future work. Social, emotional, and relationship-building skills are critical in the classroom. The key is knowing how to help students develop these skills. It is also an excellent idea to enhance one's comfort with, and knowledge of, technology and how it can increase engagement and student learning. This enhanced skillset can be accomplished through formal courses, webinars, and personal exploration.

Essential skills include data-driven decision-making, lessons to support kids' social and emotional needs, community building, culturally relevant and sustaining education practices, understanding of trauma-informed practices and instruction, and current best practices in literacy and math instruction are essential.

What type of skills will young para educators need?

Christie Lewis

Assistant Professor of Education, Field Coordinator, Chatham University

Young graduates entering the teaching force need to have many skills. Graduates should be culturally competent educators, know how to build a community of learners, know how to build relationships with families and students, know how to manage a classroom, be able to adapt, problem-solve, and think creatively. In addition, graduates need to be able to plan well to meet the needs of all learners, know how to use and analyze various student data and have the skillset to challenge students to learn so that all students can be successful in the classroom. Graduates also need to know how to use technology tools, and many graduates should have had the opportunity to learn this during student teaching. Finally, new teachers need to understand social and emotional development and how the pandemic, protests, and other current events in our world and how things happening in the student's own lives can impact learning and behavior.

What technical skills for a para educator stand out to employers?

Linda Dauksas

Director of Early Childhood and Special Education, Professor, Elmhurst University

School districts are seeking resilient teachers. These teachers can teach using a variety of different instructional delivery systems (traditional face to face, remote or hybrid instruction). ALL of these formats will be desired after the health pandemic. Districts will continue to use a variety of instructional formats for a variety of reasons (e.g. health-related needs, weather related, natural disasters).

Do you want to know more?

List of para educator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a para educator resume and required skills for a para educator to have include:

Behavioral Issues
Student Performance
IEP
Math
Kindergarten
School Administration
CPR
Mathematics
Direct Supervision
General Education
Instructional Materials
Behavior Management
Classroom Management
Language Arts
Classroom Environment
Crisis Intervention
Instructional Support

Education Plan
ABA
Applied Behavior Analysis
Behavior Modification
Instructional Assistance
Clerical Tasks
Physical Disabilities
Bulletin Boards
CPI
Learning Disabilities
Data Collection
K-12
Academic Support
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Early Intervention
Learning Environment
Physical Assistance

ESL
Social Studies
Progress Monitoring
Clerical Support
Student Learning
Classroom Materials
Developmental Disabilities
Child Left Behind
Social Development
Administration Policies
Mental Disabilities
One Assistance
Behavioral Problems
ADHD
Instructional Efforts

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Para Educator Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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