Paraeducator Job Description – Everything You Should Know

Paraeducator Job Description and Everything You Should Know

If you are unsure whether your education or experience fits the job role, you need detailed information about the Paraeducator Job Description. You must already know about paraeducator because it has to deal with education and educators deducing its name. So, let’s get started.

Paraeducator Job Description

A Paraeducator is responsible and assigned to assist, advise and help teachers and professors teach students, performing daily educational activities in line with the curriculum. He/She performs the duties of planning, scheduling, organizing educational class activities, and forming strategic educational programs and conferences. They also encourage a healthy and conducive learning environment, monitor, and engage with students, provide counsel, clerical and administrative support anytime needed. Paraeducators work alongside other teachers to provide a guide, information, instructions, and additional academic directions to the student’s community. They played a significant role in shaping students’ lives and thoughts, classroom activities, and supporting fellow teachers in performing administrative tasks.

Paraeducator Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities of paraeducators include the following:

  1. They monitor students’ academic activities given by teachers, such as assessments, tests, drills, quizzes, etc.
  2. They control the students and prevent them from disrupting academic activities by maintaining order and decorum in the classroom.
  3. Paraeducators assist and support students with disabilities/special needs. Students with special needs require more support, time, Instruction, and help,
    compare to other children. 
  4. They perform administrative, clerical, and supportive tasks for teachers, such as recording grades, marking scripts, and correcting students’ academic wrongdoings.
  5. They draw out plans and programs for teachers, including daily/weekly lesson plans taught in class. This is one of the primary Parareducator’s tasks.
  6. They supervise students during school hours and ensure that they are safe, free from harm’s way, and unarmed.
  7. They interact, engage, guide, and support students individually and in groups on several occasions, especially during a class project.
  8. Paraeducators provide academic instruction based on guidelines and procedures.
  9. They implement school programs and beneficial activities.
  10. They ensure a clean, safe and healthy learning environment.
  11. They are also responsible for report checking and progress tracking. They track the progress of individual students, identity their weaknesses and strength.
  12. They are assigned to arrange and organize learning materials for easy retrieval by the teacher. 

Educational Qualification and Experience

The educational attainment level fit to be a Paraeducator depends on the laid down rules/ policies of each state, school, and employer. Some states and schools accept a high school diploma, while others get a bachelor’s degree. For a Paraeducator to stand out and be accorded proper respect, they need to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Additional certification in special education, child development, or psychology is a bonus for a Paraeducator candidate.

Apart from this, they are expected to have some years of experience in teaching and classroom settings. People who have served as teachers, principals, or instructional coaches have the edge over others. He or she must have completed the core competency for Paraeducators training as outlined by the State of Washington. It is also expected the candidate has a certificate that shows that he passed the mathematic, reading, and writing assessments. 

Required Knowledge and Ability from a Paraeducator

To become a Paraeducator, the candidate must possess specific knowledge and abilities to show that they are fit for the job. Some of the required knowledge and skills include:

  • A Paraeducator must possess the ability to think fast and come up with plans, programs, and beneficial educational activities.
  • Ability to teamwork with other teachers to achieve a common goal.
  • Must possess knowledge about mathematics, English grammar, listening, and reading.
  • Knowledge about the latest trends in education and activities that can help a child’s development.
  • Ability to interact, engage and support both the teachers and the students when the call arises.
  • Sound knowledge about child’s development, psychology, and behavioral development of children and adults.

Skills that a Paraeducator must Possess

Here is the list of skills a Paraeducator candidate must have; these skills are highly required and would serve as a driving force in achieving the Job’s goal:

  • Critical thinking skills
  • Organizational skills and Time management.
  • Interpersonal and intercultural skills
  • Problem-solving skills.
  • Teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills.
  • Communication and Listening, and social skills.

Qualifications for Paraeducator

Every candidate is expected to have some qualities that differentiate him/her from others. Here are some of those qualities:

  1. Ideal Paraeducator candidates must work experience such that they must have work in an educational setting preferred.
  2. Must pass a criminal background check and assessment targeted at knowing the candidate’s mental and psychological fitness.
  3. Amazing oral and written communication skills.
  4. Strong presentation and reporting skills without stage fright.
  5. Excellent in organizing, leading, handling, and managing both normal and children with disabilities.
  6. Must be self-motivated, dedicated, and passionate about the education system of the state.

Salary Expectations of a Paraeducator

The salary expectations of a paraeducator depend on the number of hours he spent working. Paraeducator who works part-time makes around $21,000 annually, while a full-time paraeducator’s average annual salary is $42,000.

How to Become a Paraeducator?

Since you have already read about a paraeducator’s job description and everything you need to know, are you ready to become one? If you are ready to become a paraeducator, these few words you’re about to read will guide you through the journey.

  • Have a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree. Some states and schools require a high school diploma before accepting anyone to work as a paraeducator, while others prefer a bachelor’s degree.
  • Search for job openings for paraeducators and apply. If you think you possess the skills, knowledge, experience, and education required of a paraeducator, go ahead and search for job openings and apply.
  • Undergo the test to ascertain that you are mentally, psychologically, and mentally fit and in good condition to work.

In Conclusion

Every job has its challenges; when challenges surrounding being a paraeducator arises, you must be ready to bear them. As a paraeducator, working with children with disabilities/special needs can be tiring but rewarding. You have to take extra care of such children and teach them individually.

Also read Infant Teacher Job Description, Salary and Duties

Paraeducator Job Description – Everything You Should Know

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