Paraeducator

In today’s classrooms, labs and career centers, paraeducators and other instructional assistants support and enhance the work of teachers in all components of the education process.

Over the years, paraeducators have expanded their traditional roles in classrooms to function as technicians and specialists working in special education, bilingual classrooms and other programs.

The increased use of para-professional staff in education across the United States has been well documented, as has the change in their role from largely clerical to instructional duties. Their role requires considerable skill in areas that traditionally have been the domain only of professional staff.