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What is a resource paraprofessional and how to become one
If you're looking for the chance to truly make a difference in someone's life, then you should consider becoming a resource paraprofessional. A resource paraprofessional provides instructional, behavioral, and other support to students in and outside of the classroom. Paraprofessionals play an important role in making schools more inclusive and ensuring that students receive the extra instructional support that they need. In order to provide this type of support, many times, they work one-on-one with students who are receiving special education and other services.
As a resource paraprofessional, you may be asked to help students with self-care and hygiene, assist with classroom management, and provide instruction to individuals or small groups to reinforce understanding. Paraprofessionals are often trained on intervention strategies to address behavioral issues in the classroom.
In addition, paraprofessionals who are bilingual may be used to provide language support for English language learners. To become a resource paraprofessional, you'll typically need to hold at least an Associate's degree. Of course, you should also enjoy working with children and have a good understanding of how to assist in reading, writing, and math instruction.
Avg. Salary $30,427
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 4%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.60%
Asian 6.98%
Black or African American 7.37%
Hispanic or Latino 15.36%
Unknown 4.87%
White 63.82%
Genderfemale 85.26%
male 14.74%
Age - 45American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 45Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is basic
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Key steps to become a resource paraprofessional
Explore resource paraprofessional education requirements
Start to develop specific resource paraprofessional skills
Skills Percentages Classroom Materials 32.50% Instructional Materials 27.50% Math 18.00% IEP 15.34% ASD 3.40% Research resource paraprofessional duties and responsibilities
- Work with ESL and special needs students, individually and in small groups, to attain their learning objectives
- Contribute to IEP meetings to help identify appropriate student goals.
- Create maps and presentation materials utilizing GIS, CanVis and Powerpoint.
- Maintain a record or record data regarding students and IEP goal progress.
Prepare your resource paraprofessional resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your resource paraprofessional resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a resource paraprofessional resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable resource paraprofessional resume templates
Build a professional resource paraprofessional resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your resource paraprofessional resume.
Apply for resource paraprofessional jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a resource paraprofessional job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first resource paraprofessional job
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Average resource paraprofessional salary
The average resource paraprofessional salary in the United States is $30,427 per year or $15 per hour. Resource paraprofessional salaries range between $24,000 and $37,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do resource paraprofessionals rate their job?
Resource paraprofessional reviews
Helping students with various intellectual or behavior disabilities to be successful in the classroom and in life.
As a paraprofessional, you often get left out of Professional Development activities, vertical team meetings, etc. and have a limited capacity to influence educational decisions within the organization.
Being able to make an impact on kids with a disability and being there friend.
Just the time I invest with all the work I did for the school district. I was a volunteer wrestling coach and a para for Jenks high school in Tulsa Oklahoma. I enjoyed my experience but realize safety and health was want to go into.
Assisting the children excel and overcome the daily difficulties. Also, to assist the classroom teacher help make their day go a little smoother.
The only part after 13 years as a para was having to restrain a student to protect them from hurting their selves or others students in the area.
Updated January 8, 2025
