If you love working with children and want to positively impact their lives, then working in the field of education and becoming a paraprofessional may be the perfect career path to choose. Paraprofessionals, also referred to as teacher assistants or aids, assist teachers and help students thrive academically. Whether you’re a recent graduate or looking for a career change, here we’ll explore the necessary steps to embark on this career choice.
What is a Paraprofessional?
Paraprofessionals, otherwise known as teacher assistants, work alongside certified teachers to perform teacher-related tasks. These individuals are not licensed to teach but play an essential supporting role that provides valuable assistance in classrooms or other educational settings.
What Do Paraprofessionals Do?
A paraprofessional’s job is to serve as a teacher’s assistant helping to facilitate the learning process in a multitude of different ways. They often work in public or private school settings helping to oversee classroom activities or providing one-on-one assistance to students who need extra support and guidance. Some assistants help teachers by preparing lessons or grading homework.
Paraprofessionals often help to implement behavior management strategies. For example, if a student has a behavior intervention plan, an assistant’s role may be to record the student’s behavior and report the information back to the lead teacher. Other duties may include working with students who have disabilities. They may assist them in participating in classroom activities, going to the bathroom, or walking them to their classes.
Additionally, other responsibilities may include:
- Setting up equipment
- Working in small groups to reinforce lessons
- Helping teachers prepare lessons
- Enforcing school rules
- Monitoring the classroom
- Supervising students in between classes
What Does it Take to Become a Paraprofessional?
Becoming a paraprofessional varies from state to state but usually requires a combination of education and training. According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, paraprofessionals typically need two years of college coursework or an associate’s degree to enter the occupation. Many individuals choosing this career path get a two-year degree in early childhood education or K-12 education because this is their first step in a career to becoming a licensed teacher and getting a classroom of their own. However, others choose this career path to try out the field or because they just love working with children without the added responsibilities of a certified teacher.
Other requirements include passing a local or state assessment test, job training to help you become familiar with the job requirements and protocols and obtaining a certification. While certification may be optional in some states, others may require it if you want to be in a public-school setting.
According to the United Federation of Teachers to become a paraprofessional in New York State you must acquire a level one certificate to provide direct instructional services to children under the supervision of a certified teacher. This certificate is valid for three years but can be renewed for an additional three years, which is required to meet the requirements for a level two certificate. A level two certificate requires one full year of full-time experience.
By the end of your sixth year of service, you can apply for your level three certificate which is perpetually valid on the condition that you complete professional development hours every five years. In addition to all of these potential requirements, many states require you to pass a background check as well as get fingerprinted to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
What Does the Job Prospects Look Like?
According to the BLS, employment is projected to grow five percent over the next eight years to 2031 with an average of 154,000 job openings. As of May 2021, the BLS says the median wage for teacher assistants is an estimated $29,400 with the highest ten percent earning more than $46,500 per year.
What Essential Skills Are Necessary for a Paraprofessional?
To effectively support both teachers and students’ paraprofessionals need to acquire a diverse set of essential skills. Some key skills may include:
Patience
Working with students who have a disability or various learning abilities requires a lot of patience. Assistants need to be understanding and have empathy to support students who may face challenges in the classroom.
Flexibility
Paraprofessionals need to be flexible to handle the different needs of students, especially because each learning environment can be so unpredictable. Being flexible enables you to go with the flow and support students and teachers in any way they may need.
Communication
Strong communication skills are required and crucial for being able to convey information efficiently and effectively to students, teachers, and parents. Professionals must be able to actively listen and respond with understanding.
Collaboration
Collaboration is a key skill for this position because paraprofessionals work as part of a team. Supporting teachers, sharing responsibilities, collaborating with staff to manage student behavior, and working with individual students are just a few ways being an assistant contributes to working in a positive, group environment.
Problem-Solving
Paraprofessionals encounter a wide range of challenges and situations which is why having the ability to problem-solve is so important. Unexpected events, challenging behaviors, and having the ability to adapt on a whim is all part of the profession of a paraprofessional.
What Areas Should Paraprofessionals Focus on to Make a Positive Impact on Students?
As a paraprofessional, there are a few things that can help make a positive impact on young learners such as a deep understanding of childhood development. This knowledge will help you tailor your support to meet the needs of all students. Learning effective classroom management strategies will help you support the lead teacher as well as help maintain a positive learning environment.
Embracing inclusive education, while nurturing relationships with students and their parents will help to ensure all students feel supported in a positive learning environment.
Embarking on a career as a paraprofessional can be a rewarding career choice for those who are passionate about the education of young children. It can also be a great stepping-stone for those who wish to pursue a career as a certified teacher. By obtaining the relevant credentials as well as honing the essential skills to succeed in the role, this career choice can be a fulling profession.
Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.
