Job Description: Special Education Paraprofessional
Special education paraprofessionals fulfill a vital role in the education of special needs students. According to the Walton County Board of Education in Monroe, Georgia, the purpose of a special education paraprofessional is "to assist the teacher of exceptional students or students with handicaps in performing assigned tasks in support of a quality educational program." Each day, paraprofessionals see the joy of a student who finally masters a difficult skill or learns something new.
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Identification
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Special education paraprofessionals assist students with special needs under the direction of a certified teacher who is ultimately responsible for the students. Sometimes, paraprofessionals work in a classroom devoted to special education. At other times, they accompany a student into mainstream classrooms for all or part of the day so that the student can be among peers who do not have special needs.
Responsibilities
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A job description posted by the Montana Office of Public Instruction states that a special education paraprofessional "works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by certified staff." They monitor student work, correct papers and supervise testing. They perform clerical duties and classroom maintenance, and also assist with activities such as snack time and bathroom breaks. Sometimes, paraprofessionals consult with the team that creates the individual education plan (IEP) for a special education student. If the paraprofessional serves students with physical disabilities, she may be assigned to assist with medication distribution, tube feeding or other procedures.
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Qualifications
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All special education paraprofessionals have a high school diploma, and many have an associate degree in education or a related field. Some school districts also require experience with special needs children.
Other Considerations
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Special education paraprofessionals must have the emotional maturity to work with students who have special needs. They must be patient, dependable and hardworking. They must follow the directions of the teacher and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision. They must have basic English and math skills to assist students with assignments. Special education paraprofessionals must maintain confidentiality around information about students. In some situations, special education paraprofessionals must be bilingual.
Time Commitment
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Most special education paraprofessionals work only during the day when students are present in the classroom. They do not work on school holidays or during summer vacation.
Salary and Job Outlook
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups special education paraprofessionals with all other types of teaching assistants. People in these professions made an average of $22,820 in 2009. Teaching assistant positions are expected to grow between 7 and 13 percent by 2018, which is an average rate of growth.
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References
- Photo Credit school supplies, pencils 3 image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
